Phenergan

promethazine

Phenergan has been on the U.S. market since 1951 and is used to treat hay fever, stuffy or runny nose associated with allergies, skin reactions such as itching and swelling from minor allergies, and watery, itchy eyes due to inhaled allergens and food allergies. Some of the generic names this drug is marketed under include:

• Anergan
• Antinaus
• Pentazine
• Phenameth
• Phenazine
• Phencen
• Phenerzine
• Phenoject
• Pro-50
• Pro-Med 50
• Promacot
• Promet
• Prorex
• Prothazine
• Shogan
• V-Gan

Phenergan and its generic equivalents contain strong “black-box” warnings about respiratory symptoms in children under 2 which advise doctors not to administer Phenergan to patients less than 2 years of age. The drug can cause severe breathing problems in children of that age, as well as severe drowsiness, decreased mental alertness, increased risk of seizures, and changes in blood pressure.

The FDA issued a Public Health Alert on April 25, 2006, after it received seven reports of deaths in children under 2. In addition, the agenchy received 22 reports of severe breathing problems in children under 2 who took Phenergan or a generic equivalent containing promethazine HCl.