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|Meperidine/Promethazine

Meperidine/Promethazine

Meperidine/Promethazine is used for:

Treating moderate pain and causing drowsiness in patients who have just had surgery or delivered a baby, or who have pain associated with cancer. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Meperidine/Promethazine is a combination narcotic analgesic and phenothiazine. The narcotic works by dulling the pain perception center in the brain. The phenothiazine causes drowsiness.

Do NOT use Meperidine/Promethazine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Meperidine/Promethazine
• you have a certain type of intestinal inflammation (pseudomembranous colitis) or diarrhea due to poisoning, severe drowsiness, or you are in a coma
• you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days
• you are taking astemizole, cisapride, ritonavir, sibutramine, sodium oxybate (GHB), or terfenadine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Meperidine/Promethazine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Meperidine/Promethazine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of breathing problems (eg, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cor pulmonale); low levels of oxygen or high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood; sickle cell anemia; low blood pressure; prostate problems; urinary blockage; lung, liver, or kidney problems; heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat); seizures; or stomach or intestine problems (eg, inflammatory bowel disease)
• if you have a history of head injury, brain tumor or other growths, increased pressure in the brain, adrenal tumor or other problems (eg, Addison disease, pheochromocytoma), curved spine, or an underactive thyroid
• if you have a history of nervous system problems, bone marrow problems, blood problems (eg, porphyria), glaucoma or risk factors for glaucoma, increased eye pressure, Parkinson disease, or Reye syndrome
• if you regularly consume alcohol or have a history of alcohol or substance abuse/dependence, delirium tremens, mental or mood changes caused by a medicine or other substance, or suicidal thoughts or attempts
• if you are dehydrated, have been severely weakened, or have had recent surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Meperidine/Promethazine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Agonist/antagonist analgesics (eg, butorphanol, pentazocine) or naltrexone because effectiveness of Meperidine/Promethazine may be decreased
• MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because the risk of serious side effects, including coma, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, seizures, and irregular heartbeat, may be increased
• Astemizole, cisapride, haloperidol, or terfenadine because the risk of side effects, such as low blood pressure, seizure, or irregular heartbeat, may be increased
• Acyclovir, cimetidine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), phenytoin, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Meperidine/Promethazine "s side effects
• Sibutramine because the risk of side effects, including increased body temperature, mental or mood changes, muscle twitching, or severe drowsiness, may be increased
• Barbiturate anesthetics (eg, thiopental), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), narcotic analgesics (eg, morphine), neuromuscular blockers (eg, pancuronium), or sodium oxybate (GHB) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Meperidine/Promethazine
• Epinephrine, levodopa, or pergolide because their effectiveness may be decreased by Meperidine/Promethazine

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Meperidine/Promethazine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Meperidine/Promethazine :

Use Meperidine/Promethazine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Meperidine/Promethazine by mouth with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Meperidine/Promethazine and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Meperidine/Promethazine .

Important safety information:

• Meperidine/Promethazine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Meperidine/Promethazine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Meperidine/Promethazine ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Meperidine/Promethazine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Meperidine/Promethazine . Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Meperidine/Promethazine without first checking with your doctor.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Meperidine/Promethazine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Use Meperidine/Promethazine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Meperidine/Promethazine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Meperidine/Promethazine while you are pregnant. Meperidine/Promethazine should not be used during labor or prior to the labor period because it may cause harmful side effects to the baby. Meperidine/Promethazine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Meperidine/Promethazine .

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Meperidine/Promethazine may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Meperidine/Promethazine stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.

Some people who use Meperidine/Promethazine for a long time may develop a need to continue taking it. People who take high doses are also at risk. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction. If you stop taking Meperidine/Promethazine suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include anxiety; appetite loss; backache; chills; diarrhea; enlarged pupils; fast heartbeat or breathing rate; increased tears; irritability; muscle or joint pain; nausea; restlessness; runny nose; severe or persistent dizziness; sleeplessness; stomach cramps; sweating; vomiting; weakness; yawning.

Possible side effects of Meperidine/Promethazine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; nausea; sweating; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; difficulty urinating; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or a leg; rigid muscles; seizure; slowed or difficult breathing; severe or persistent dizziness or drowsiness; sudden severe headache, nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; tremor; uncontrolled muscle movements; vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chest pain; cold and clammy skin; lightheadedness; limp muscles; loss of consciousness; low body temperature; seizures; severe dizziness; severe drowsiness; slowed heartbeat; slowed or difficult breathing; small pupils.

Store Meperidine/Promethazine at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. After Meperidine/Promethazine is no longer needed, discard unused medicine by flushing it down the toilet. Keep Meperidine/Promethazine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Meperidine/Promethazine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Meperidine/Promethazine . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.