PROMETHAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Promethazine hydrochloride injection is indicated for the following conditions: Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma. In anaphylaxis as an adjunct to epinephrine and other standard measures after the acute symptoms have been controlled. For other uncomplicated allergic conditions of the immediate type when oral therapy is impossible or contraindicated. For sedation and relief of apprehension and to produce light sleep from which the patient can be easily aroused. Active treatment of motion sickness. Prevention and control of nausea and vomiting associated with certain types of anesthesia and surgery. As an adjunct to analgesics for the control of postoperative pain. Preoperative, postoperative, and obstetric (during labor) sedation. Intravenously in special surgical situations, such as repeated bronchoscopy, ophthalmic surgery, and poor-risk patients, with reduced amounts of meperidine or other narcotic analgesic as an adjunct to anesthesia and analgesia.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Important Administration Information for Adult and Pediatric Patients 2 Years of Age and Older The preferred route of administration of promethazine hydrochloride injection is by deep intramuscular administration (see WARNINGS - Severe Tissue Injury, Including Gangrene ). Promethazine hydrochloride injection may be administered intravenously after dilution as recommended below (see Preparation and Administration ). If pain occurs at the injection site during intravenous infusion, immediately discontinue the infusion, and evaluate for possible arterial injection or perivascular extravasation. Allergic Conditions The average adult dose is 25 mg. This dose may be repeated within two hours if necessary, but continued therapy, if indicated, should be via the oral route as soon as existing circumstances permit. After initiation of treatment, dosage should be adjusted to the smallest amount adequate to relieve symptoms. The average adult dose for amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma is 25 mg. Sedation In hospitalized adult patients, nighttime sedation may be achieved by a dose of 25 to 50 mg of promethazine hydrochloride injection. Nausea and Vomiting For control of nausea and vomiting, the usual adult dose is 12.5 to 25 mg, not to be repeated more frequently than every four hours. When used for control of postoperative nausea and vomiting, the dosage of analgesics and barbiturates should be reduced accordingly (see PRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions ). Antiemetics should not be used in vomiting of unknown etiology in children and adolescents (see PRECAUTIONS - Pediatric Use ). Preoperative and Postoperative Use As an adjunct to preoperative or postoperative medication, 25 to 50 mg of promethazine hydrochloride injection in adults may be combined with appropriately reduced doses of analgesics and atropine-like drugs as desired. Dosage of concomitant analgesic or hypnotic medication should be reduced accordingly (see PRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions ). Promethazine hydrochloride is contraindicated for use in pediatric patients less than two years of age. Obstetrics Promethazine hydrochloride injection in doses of 50 mg will provide sedation and relieve apprehension in the early stages of labor. When labor is definitely established, 25 to 75 mg (average dose, 50 mg) promethazine hydrochloride injection may be given with an appropriately reduced dose of any desired narcotic (see PRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions). If necessary, promethazine hydrochloride injection with a reduced dose of analgesic may be repeated once or twice at four-hour intervals in the course of a normal labor. A maximum total dose of 100 mg of promethazine hydrochloride injection may be administered during a 24-hour period to patients in labor. Pediatric Patients Promethazine hydrochloride injection is contraindicated for use in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age (see WARNINGS - Respiratory Depression). Caution should be exercised when administering promethazine hydrochloride to pediatric patients 2 years of age or older. It is recommended that the lowest effective dose of promethazine hydrochloride be used in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older and concomitant administration of other drugs with respiratory depressant effects be avoided (see WARNINGS - Respiratory Depression). In pediatric patients 2 years of age and older, the dosage should not exceed half that of the suggested adult dose. As an adjunct to premedication, the suggested dose is 1.1 mg per kg of body weight in combination with an appropriately reduced dose of narcotic or barbiturate and the appropriate dose of an atropine-like drug (see PRECAUTIONS - Drug Interactions ). Antiemetics should not be used in vomiting of unknown etiology in pediatric patients. Preparation and Administration Instructions for Diluted Intravenous Infusion in Adults Inspect the solution for particulate matter and discoloration, before dilution, after dilution, and before ad…

WARNINGS Respiratory Depression Pediatrics Promethazine hydrochloride injection should not be used in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age because of the potential for fatal respiratory depression. Postmarketing cases of respiratory depression, including fatalities, have been reported with use of promethazine in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age. A wide range of weight-based doses of promethazine hydrochloride injection have resulted in respiratory depression in these patients. Caution should be exercised when administering promethazine hydrochloride injection to pediatric patients 2 years of age and older. It is recommended that the lowest effective dose of promethazine hydrochloride injection be used in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older. Avoid concomitant administration of other drugs with respiratory depressant effects because of an association with respiratory depression, and sometimes death, in pediatric patients. Other Because of the risk of potentially fatal respiratory depression, use of promethazine hydrochloride injection in patients with compromised respiratory function or patients at risk for respiratory failure (e.g. COPD, sleep apnea) should be avoided. Severe Tissue Injury, Including Gangrene Promethazine hydrochloride injection has been reported to cause severe chemical irritation and damage to tissues, including gangrene, regardless of the route of parenteral administration. Intra-arterial and subcutaneous administration have resulted in more significant complications. The use of promethazine hydrochloride injection by intravenous injection at concentrations greater than 1 mg/mL, intra- arterial injection, or subcutaneous injection is contraindicated (see CONTRAINDICATIONS). Irritation and damage can result from perivascular extravasation, intra- arterial injection, and intraneuronal or perineuronal infiltration. Inadvertent intra-arterial injection can cause severe arteriospasm. Other reported adverse reactions included burning, pain, erythema, swelling, sensory loss, palsies, paralysis, severe spasm of distal vessels, thrombophlebitis, venous thrombosis, phlebitis, abscesses, tissue necrosis, and gangrene. In some cases, surgical intervention, including fasciotomy, skin graft, and/or amputation have been required. The preferred route of administration of promethazine hydrochloride injection is by deep intramuscular administration. Promethazine hydrochloride injection may be administered intravenously after dilution through an intravenous catheter inserted in a large vein. Preferably through a central venous catheter (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). If pain occurs at the injection site during intravenous infusion, immediately discontinue the infusion, evaluate for possible arterial injection or perivascular extravasation, and initiate appropriate medical management. CNS Depression Promethazine hydrochloride injection may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks, such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery. The impairment may be amplified by concomitant use of other central-nervous-system depressants such as alcohol, sedative/hypnotics (including barbiturates), general anesthetics, narcotics, narcotic analgesics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tranquilizers; therefore such agents should either be eliminated or given in reduced dosage in the presence of promethazine hydrochloride (see PRECAUTIONS - Information for Patients and Drug Interactions ). Lower Seizure Threshold Promethazine hydrochloride injection may lower seizure threshold and should be used with caution in persons with seizure disorders or in persons who are using concomitant medications, such as narcotics or local anesthetics, which may also affect seizure threshold. Bone-Marrow Depression Promethazine hydrochloride injection should be used with caution in patients with bone-marrow depression. Leukopenia and agranulocytosis have been reported, usually wh…

CONTRAINDICATIONS The use of promethazine hydrochloride injection is contraindicated: In pediatric patients less than 2 years of age due to the risk of respiratory depression (see WARNINGS – Respiratory Depression ). For use as an intravenous injection at concentrations greater than 1 mg/mL due to the risk of perivascular extravasation, unintentional intra-arterial injection, and intraneuronal or perineuronal infiltration (see WARNINGS - Severe Tissue Injury, Including Gangrene and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). For use as an intra-arterial injection due to the likelihood of severe arteriospasm and the possibility of resultant gangrene (see WARNINGS - Severe Tissue Injury, Including Gangrene ). For use as a subcutaneous injection because chemical irritation and necrotic lesions have been reported (see WARNINGS - Severe Tissue Injury, Including Gangrene ). In patients in a comatose state. In patients who have demonstrated an idiosyncratic reaction or hypersensitivity to promethazine hydrochloride or other phenothiazines.

ADVERSE REACTIONS Respiratory Depression Promethazine hydrochloride injection is contraindicated in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age, because of the potential for fatal respiratory depression. Promethazine hydrochloride injection should be used with caution in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older ( see WARNINGS - Respiratory Depression ). Severe Tissue Injury, Including Gangrene Promethazine hydrochloride injection has been reported to cause severe chemical irritation and damage to tissues, including gangrene, regardless of the route of parenteral administration . Intra-arterial and subcutaneous injection have resulted in more significant complications (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ). Reported adverse reactions included burning, pain, erythema, swelling, sensory loss, palsies, paralysis, severe spasm of distal vessels, thrombophlebitis, venous thrombosis, phlebitis, abscesses, tissue necrosis, and gangrene (see WARNINGS - Severe Tissue Injury, Including Gangrene ). Central Nervous System Drowsiness is the most prominent CNS effect of this drug. Sedation, somnolence, blurred vision, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, and extrapyramidal symptoms such as oculogyric crisis, torticollis, and tongue protrusion; lassitude, tinnitus, incoordination, fatigue, euphoria, nervousness, diplopia, insomnia, tremors, convulsive seizures, excitation, catatonic-like states, hysteria. Hallucinations have also been reported. Cardiovascular Increased or decreased blood pressure, tachycardia, bradycardia, faintness. Dermatologic Dermatitis, photosensitivity, urticaria. Hematologic Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, agranulocytosis. Gastrointestinal Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, jaundice. Respiratory Asthma, nasal stuffiness, respiratory depression (potentially fatal) and apnea (potentially fatal). (See WARNINGS - Respiratory Depression .) Other Angioneurotic edema. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (potentially fatal) has also been reported. (See WARNINGS - Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome .) Paradoxical Reactions Hyperexcitability and abnormal movements have been reported in patients following a single administration of promethazine hydrochloride injection. Consideration should be given to the discontinuation of promethazine hydrochloride injection and to the use of other drugs if these reactions occur. Respiratory depression, nightmares, delirium, and agitated behavior have also been reported in some of these patients.