codeine and promethazine

Skip to the navigation

Pronunciation: KOE deen and proe METH a zeen

Brand: Codeine Phosphate-Promethazine HCl, Promethazine with Codeine

What is the most important information I should know about codeine and promethazine?

You should not use this medication if you have asthma, pneumonia, or other lung problems.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old. Medicines that contain codeine should not be given to a child just after surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.

Get emergency medical help if a child taking this medication has breathing problems, blue lips, or severe drowsiness, or if you cannot wake the child up from sleep.

What is codeine and promethazine?

Codeine is a narcotic. It is a pain reliever and a cough suppressant. Promethazine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.

Codeine and promethazine is a combination medicine used to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and cough.

Codeine and promethazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking codeine and promethazine?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to codeine or promethazine, or if you have asthma, pneumonia, or other lung problems.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old. Medicines that contain codeine should not be given to a child just after surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.

In some people, codeine breaks down rapidly in the liver and reaches higher than normal levels in the body. This can cause dangerously slow breathing and may cause death, especially in a child.

Some medicines can interact with codeine and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications.

To make sure codeine and promethazine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
  • history of head injury or brain tumor;
  • glaucoma;
  • stomach ulcer, ulcerative colitis, blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • a thyroid disorder;
  • enlarged prostate, urination problems;
  • Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder); or
  • if you have recently had surgery on your stomach or urinary tract.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. If you use codeine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of codeine by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Antihistamines may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take codeine and promethazine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Codeine and promethazine can slow or stop your breathing. Never use codeine and promethazine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Cough or cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Codeine may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away codeine is against the law.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 5 days of treatment.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Codeine and promethazine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A codeine overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing and heart rate, severe drowsiness, muscle weakness, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, and fainting.

What should I avoid while taking codeine and promethazine?

This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of codeine and promethazine.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Codeine and promethazine can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

What are the possible side effects of codeine and promethazine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek emergency medical attention if a child taking this medication has any of the following life-threatening side effects: noisy breathing, sighing, slow breathing with long pauses between breaths; being unusually sleepy or hard to wake up; blue colored lips.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe constipation;
  • shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • confusion, agitation, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
  • seizure (convulsions);
  • little or no urination;
  • infertility, missed menstrual periods;
  • impotence, sexual problems, loss of interest in sex; or
  • low cortisol levels -- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are ill or debilitated.

Common side effects may include:

  • mild constipation, nausea;
  • dizziness, drowsiness;
  • feeling restless;
  • blurred vision, ringing in your ears;
  • flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
  • sleep problems (insomnia);
  • dry mouth; or
  • itching, mild rash, increased sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect codeine and promethazine?

Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with codeine and promethazine. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking codeine and promethazine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with codeine and promethazine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about codeine and promethazine.


Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 8.04. Revision date: 3/31/2016.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.