Actavis promethazine

Codeine syrup (Actavis promethazine) is used for:

Treating cough and other upper respiratory symptoms caused by allergies or the common cold. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Promethazine/codeine syrup is a phenothiazine antihistamine and narcotic cough suppressant combination. The antihistamine works by blocking the action of histamine to reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as runny nose and sinus drainage. The cough suppressant works in the brain to decrease the cough reflex.

Do NOT use promethazine/ codeine syrup if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in promethazine/codeine syrup, any other codeine-related medicine (eg, oxycodone), or phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine)
you have severe drowsiness
you have certain lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], sleep apnea) or if you have a fever and a productive cough
you have diarrhea caused by food poisoning or antibiotic use
you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB)
the patient is a child and has just had surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

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Before using promethazine/ codeine syrup:
Some medical conditions may interact with promethazine/codeine syrup. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have a history of heart problems, low blood pressure, blood problems (eg, porphyria), bone marrow problems, or blood vessel problems
if you have a history of seizures, liver or kidney problems, diabetes, increased pressure in the eye (eg, glaucoma), Parkinson disease, Addison disease, or an underactive thyroid
if you have a history of an enlarged prostate; bladder problems (eg, blockage); stomach or bowel problems (eg, inflammation, blockage); gallbladder problems; chronic constipation; ulcer; or have had recent stomach, bowel, or bladder surgery. Actavis promethazine
if you are dehydrated, are in poor health, or have or recently have had a fever, any head injury, brain injury or tumor, increased pressure in the brain, infection of the brain or nervous system, or Reye syndrome
if you have a chronic cough, lung or breathing problems (eg, chronic bronchitis, slow or shallow breathing), or if your cough occurs with large amounts of mucus
if you have a history of alcohol or other substance abuse, mental or mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or attempts
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with promethazine/codeine syrup. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), cimetidine, meperidine, narcotics (eg, morphine), sodium oxybate (GHB), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of severe drowsiness or serious breathing problems may be increased
Haloperidol because the risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased
Local anesthetics (eg, lidocaine) because the risk of seizures may be increased
Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, indinavir), or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine) because they may increase the risk of promethazine/codeine syrup’s side effects
Naltrexone, quinidine, rifampin, or risperidone because they may decrease promethazine/codeine syrup’s effectiveness
Levodopa or pergolide because their effectiveness may be decreased by promethazine/codeine syrup
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if promethazine/codeine syrup may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine. Actavis promethazine