Does Phenergan Cause Side Effects?
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
Phenergan® (
promethazine hydrochloride). However, not everyone who takes the drug will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
It should be noted that this article applies only to Phenergan products that contain only promethazine as the active ingredient. Some cough syrups (such as Phenergan with Codeine) contain other active ingredients as well.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Phenergan. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Phenergan side effects with you.)
Bothersome Phenergan Side Effects
Phenergan is a relatively "old" medication, approved before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required detailed side effect information in the prescribing information for drugs. Only vague information (with no specific percentages) was provided.
Based on this limited information, possible bothersome (but usually not dangerous) side effects with Phenergan include:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Lack of coordination
- Fatigue
- An unusual pleasant sensation (euphoria)
- Nervousness
- Double vision
- Insomnia
- Shakiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Nasal stuffiness
- Sensitivity to the sun.
