PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be given to a patient who is in a coma. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain lung/breathing problems (e.g., COPD, sleep apnea). Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: very high or very low blood pressure, liver or heart disease, Reye's syndrome, alcohol or drug dependencies, nervous system problems, blood or immune system disorders (e.g., bone marrow depression), seizures, glaucoma (narrow angle), urinary problems (e.g., enlarged prostate), stomach/bowel problems, allergies (especially drug allergies). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Use of alcohol can cause extreme drowsiness. Avoid alcohol use. This medication may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear a sunscreen and protective clothing when you are exposed to the sun. This medication can reduce sweating making you more susceptible to heat stroke. Avoid strenuous work or exercise in hot weather. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the drowsiness effect. Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the slowed breathing effect. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Certain drugs closely related to promethazine (a phenothiazine) are excreted into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore breast-feeding while using this medication is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor of all the medications you may use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially of: sparfloxacin, grepafloxacin, guanethidine, guanadrel, lithium, metrizamide, cabergoline, barbiturates, epinephrine, MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine), drugs which are potentially toxic to the blood or immune systems (e.g., cancer chemotherapy). Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclic anti-depressants such as amitriptyline), tranquilizers. Many cough-and-cold products contain ingredients that may add a drowsiness effect. Before you use cough-and-cold medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) when combined with promethazine such as: isoniazid (INH), other phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Promethazine can affect the results of certain lab tests, including certain pregnancy and blood sugar tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.