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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phenylephrine and promethazine (Phenergan VC, Promethazine VC Plain)?

Do not take phenylephrine and promethazine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or selegiline (Eldepryl) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Before taking phenylephrine and promethazine, tell your doctor if you have

• epilepsy or a seizure disorder;
• been diagnosed with sleep apnea (periods of not breathing during sleep);
• thyroid problems;
• diabetes;
• glaucoma;
• an ulcer or an obstruction in the stomach;
• bladder problems or difficulty urinating;
• an enlarged prostate;
• high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or heart disease;
• kidney problems; or
• liver problems.

You may not be able to take phenylephrine and promethazine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Phenylephrine and promethazine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether phenylephrine and promethazine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take phenylephrine and promethazine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether phenylephrine and promethazine passes into breast milk. Do not take phenylephrine and promethazine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from phenylephrine and promethazine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

How should I take phenylephrine and promethazine (Phenergan VC, Promethazine VC Plain)?

Take phenylephrine and promethazine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the directions on your prescription bottle, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain the instructions to you.

Phenylephrine and promethazine can be taken with or without food.

To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of phenylephrine and promethazine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Store phenylephrine and promethazine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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