$Unique_ID{BRK02090}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PHENYLEPHRINE, PROMETHAZINE, AND CODEINE COMBINATION}
$Subject{Phenazine VC with Codeine (Halsey)
Phenergan VC with Codeine (Wyeth)
Prometh VC with Codeine (Barre)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PHENYLEPHRINE, PROMETHAZINE, AND CODEINE COMBINATION
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Phenazine VC with Codeine (Halsey)
     Phenergan VC with Codeine (Wyeth)
     Prometh VC with Codeine (Barre)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Adrenergic (decongestant), antihistamine, and cough suppressant
       combination
INGREDIENTS:
     phenylephrine, promethazine, and codeine
DOSAGE FORM:
     Oral syrup (5 mg phenylephrine, 6.25 mg promethazine, and 10 mg codeine
       per 5-ml spoonful, with 7% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     Phenylephrine, promethazine, and codeine combination should be stored at
       room temperature (never frozen) in a tightly closed, light-resistant
       container.

USES

     This combination medication is used to provide symptomatic relief of
coughs due to colds, minor upper respiratory tract infections, and allergy.
     Phenylephrine belongs to a group of drugs known as adrenergic agents
(decongestants), which constrict blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce
swelling and congestion.
     Promethazine belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines, which
block the actions of histamine, a chemical released by the body during an
allergic reaction.  It is used to relieve or prevent symptoms of allergy.
     Codeine is a narcotic cough suppressant that acts on the cough reflex
center in the brain.

TREATMENT

     To avoid stomach upset, you can take this medication with food or with a
full glass of milk or water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     The oral syrup should be shaken well just before measuring each dose.
The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle, so it is necessary to
shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly and equalize the
doses.  Each dose should then be measured carefully with a specially designed
5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough for
measuring your dosage.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, heartburn,
insomnia, loss of appetite, confusion, nasal congestion, nausea, nervousness,
rash, restlessness, sweating, vomiting, or weakness.  These side effects
should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.  It is,
therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     In order to avoid difficulty in falling asleep, check with your doctor to
see if you can take the last dose of this medication several hours before
bedtime each day.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
convulsions, difficult or painful urination, difficulty in breathing,
disturbed coordination, excitation, fainting, headaches, muscle spasms,
nightmares, nosebleeds, severe abdominal pain, or sore throat or fever.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication interacts with other types of drugs:
     1. Concurrent use of this medication with central nervous system
depressants (such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers,
muscle relaxants, narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine
tranquilizers) or with tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. This medication can decrease the effectiveness of amphetamines,
guanethidine, anticonvulsants, and levodopa.
     3. The side effects of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (isocarboxazid,
pargyline, phenelzine, tranylcypromine) and tricyclic antidepressants may also
be increased.  At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the
use of an MAO inhibitor.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to promethazine or other antihistamines (such as
azatadine, brompheniramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, cyproheptadine,
chlorpheniramine, dexbrompheniramine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine,
diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, pyrilamine, trimeprazine,
tripelennamine, and triprolidine); to phenothiazine tranquilizers,
phenylephrine, or other adrenergic agents (such as albuterol, amphetamines,
ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, norepinephrine,
pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, and terbutaline); or to codeine or any
other narcotic cough suppressant or pain medication.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma, brain
disease, blockage of the urinary or digestive tract, diabetes mellitus,
colitis, gallbladder disease, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, high
blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, peptic ulcers,
enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
     * This medication can cause drowsiness.  Your ability to perform tasks
that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially
dangerous machinery, may be decreased.  Appropriate caution should, therefore,
be taken.
     * Because this product contains codeine, there is a potential for abuse,
so it must be used with caution.  This medication usually should not be taken
for longer than ten days at a time since a tolerance may develop quickly.  Do
not increase the dosage unless you first consult your doctor.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The effects of this
medication during the early stages of pregnancy have not been thoroughly
studied in humans.  However, regular use of codeine during the later stages of
pregnancy may lead to addiction of the fetus, resulting in withdrawal symptoms
(irritability, excessive crying, tremors, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing,
or excessive yawning) in the newborn infant.  Also, tell your doctor if you
are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of this medication pass into
breast milk and may cause unusual excitement or irritability in nursing
infants.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
