Meperidine; Promethazine capsules

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What are meperidine; promethazine capsules?

MEPERIDINE; PROMETHAZINE (Meprozine®) relieves moderate to severe pain. This medicine may be used to control pain following surgery, child birth, or other procedures. Federal law prohibits the transfer of meperidine; promethazine to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Do not share this medicine with anyone else.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• diabetes
• diarrhea
• glaucoma
• high blood pressure or heart disease
• intestinal disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• lung disease or breathing difficulties, including asthma
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• prostate problems
• seizures
• an unusual or allergic reaction to meperidine or other opiate drugs, promethazine or other phenothiazines, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used?

Take meperidine; promethazine capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water. If meperidine ; promethazine capsules upsets your stomach, you can take it with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not share this medicine with any one.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. This medicine should not be given to infants and children younger than 2 years old.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with meperidine; promethazine?

• bromocriptine
• doxercalciferol
• epinephrine
• furazolidone
• levodopa
• linezolid
• medicines for diabetes that are taken by mouth
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease, or for gastrointestinal problems
• medicines for seizures
• metoclopramide
• metrizamide
• procarbazine
• selegiline

Because meperidine; promethazine causes drowsiness, other medicines that also cause drowsiness may increase this effect of meperidine and promethazine. Some medicines that cause drowsiness are:
• alcohol and alcohol containing medicines
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• certain antidepressants
• certain antihistamines used in allergy or cold medicines
• medicines for sleep
• muscle relaxants
• prescription pain medicines

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking meperidine; promethazine?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse or it you have a new or different type of pain.

Use exactly as directed by your prescriber or health care professional. If you are taking meperidine; promethazine on a regular basis, do not suddenly stop taking it. Your body becomes used to the meperidine and when you suddenly stop taking it, you may develop a severe reaction. This DOES NOT mean you are 'addicted' to meperidine. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine such as meperidine to control your pain.

You may get drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking this medicine or when you change doses. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly, this reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. These effects may be worse if you are an older patient. The drowsiness should decrease after taking this medicine for a couple of days. If you have not slept because of your pain, you may sleep more the first few days your pain is controlled to catch-up on missed sleep.

Be careful taking other medicines which may also make you tired. This effect may be worse when taking these medicines with meperidine and promethazine combination products. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and may affect your breathing. Avoid alcohol while taking meperidine and promethazine.

Meperidine will cause constipation. Make sure to take a laxative and/or a stool softener while taking this medicine. Try to have a bowel movement every 2—3 days, at least. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days or more call your prescriber or health care professional. They may recommend using an enema or suppository to help you move your bowels.

Your mouth may get dry. Drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard candy may help to relieve dry mouth symptoms. Have regular dental checks.

You may experience dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking meperidine and promethazine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving meperidine; promethazine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• blurred vision
• confusion
• difficulty breathing, wheezing
• difficulty passing urine
• fainting spells
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there)
• irregular heartbeat, palpitations
• lightheadedness or fainting spells
• muscle or facial twitches or other unusual movements
• nervousness or restlessness
• seizures
• severe rash
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• drowsiness, dizziness
• dry mouth and eyes
• flushing
• headache
• increased sensitivity to the sun or ultraviolet light
• nausea, vomiting

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Do not share or give this medicine to anyone else. Avoid accidental swallowing of meperidine; promethazine by someone (especially children) other than the person for whom it was prescribed as this may result in severe effects and possibly death.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.