This medicine belongs to a group of medicines known as antihistamines.
It can be used for short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty sleeping) and to relieve itch.
- Hydroxyzine can be used to relieve anxiety.
- Promethazine can be used for motion sickness.
Antihistamines may also be used for other conditions. Check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure why you are given this medication.
Follow the directions on your medication label and take the medication as prescribed by your doctor. Hydroxyzine and promethazine may be taken with or without food.
If you feel that the medicine is not working well, do consult your doctor.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, your doctor would have discussed the potential benefits and side-effects with you and should you have further questions or concerns, do consult your doctor.
- You are taking any other medications including over the counter medications, supplements, traditional Chinese medicine and herbal remedies. Some of them may affect how this medication works or cause serious drug interactions.
- You have or have ever had:
- Drug allergies
- Kidney or liver disease
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Medical conditions such as asthma, respiratory diseases, glaucoma, ulcers, difficulty urinating (due to enlarged prostate gland), seizures (fits), overactive thyroid gland, autoimmune disorders
Be sure that your family or caregiver are also aware of the above symptoms so they can call your doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
Very rarely (affect less than 1% of patients) this medication may cause:
- Restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw or neck
- Increased nervousness & trembling
- Severe muscle weakness
- Abnormal thinking or changes in behavior
- Confusion
- Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
- Tremors
- Seizures (fits)
- Problems with eyesight
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking hydroxyzine or promethazine as it can cause excessive drowsiness.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Throw away any medicine that has expired or is no longer needed.
Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
