Might give you a hangover feeling (Phenergan)

Member Name: sue.51

Product:	Phenergan
Date:	26/05/01 (1881 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None that I can see

Disadvantages: Makes you feel like you have drunk 20 pints the night before

DIFFICULT TO BE OBJECTIVE WHEN YOU DISLIKE SOMETHING THIS MUCH
Phenergan (aka Sominex)(generic name - promethazine) has been around for many years, and was originally used to be used to treat abnormal behaviour arising from mental illnesses.

In more recent times however it has also been found to be very effective against the itching brought on by allergic reactions and is also used as an anti-emetic (to prevent nausea) and thus suggested for travel sickness.

COMBINATION PREPARATIONS
The drug can be found in a variety of cough medicines acting as an antihistamine including Medised and Tixylix.

DOSE
The adult dose ranges between 20-75mg, and is prescribed to children in reduced dosages according to age (and I should imagine weight).

Taken orally, it should take effect within about 60 minutes.

WHAT FORMS IS IT IN?
Tablets, Liquid (elixir) and injection.
25mg tablets are a purply blue coloue with PN25 imprinted on one side. There used to be a 10mg tablet available also. Sorry no idea on prices, I would not buy this, and have only had it whilst in hospital and on prescription many years ago.

SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects include extreme tiredness - with me it seems to edge little short of sheer exhaustion. I am prescribed it if admitted as an in-patient to treat my eczema, and it is traditionally used by the doctors in quite large doses to appease the itching, whilst also sedating the patient, helping them to relax and sleep whilst also stopping them scratching.

The drug doubles up as a sedative/antihistamine (to prevent itching), and thus can be useful in cases of chicken-pox, urticaria and eczema.

I have read some very interesting facts in Star500's op in respect of its use in young children as a sedative. This drug has on me a similar effect to valium (when I injured my neck), making you very lethargic and sluggish, and totally disinterested in everything. I c
an just imagine how a child may feel after taking it, if you are thinking of giving this to a very young child, maybe you should try it yourself first.

It feels very powerful, and it scares me somewhat that it can be purchased over the pharmacy counter without prescription. I am a very regular user of sedative inducing antihistamines, as I use Piriton on a daily basis, usually a couple of times a day, as it is the only way to relieve the constant itch I suffer from eczema and a variety of contact allergies, yet, Phenergan drug knocks me sideways. A young child will not be in a position to tell you how they feel, and I would say use with caution.

Maybe I just react badly to it, but I certainly do not like the effect it has on me. (This is a woman who received enough Temazepam to sedate a horse before an operation in hospital and still had to be held down by four nurses so that they could administer the anaesthetic.

Other apparently common side effects include dry mouth and blurred vision.


WHERE CAN I GET IT?
You can buy it in your local pharmacy in both tablet and elixir form.

ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS
Avoid alcohol at all costs, it will massively increase the sedative properties of this drug, and believe me you do not need this.

Any sedative such as sleeping tablets, or 'drowsy' antihistamines will increase the sedative properties of phenergan.

Do not use this drug if taking MAOI's (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) (what I hear you say - if you are taking these you should know, and will probably be following a restricted diet as guided by your GP, because of potential food interactions with MAOI's.). There is a risk of abnormal heart rhythms with Terfenadine (Triludan)- The 120mg version of this drug has been withdrawn (not sure on lower doses) and Astemizole.

Do not drive until you are very clear on how this drug affects you.

IN MY OPINION
Probably
a very useful drug with a wide variety of uses, but I personally do not get on at all with it.

Summary: