Agitation or aggressive behaviour in patients with acute or chronic psychosis, in combination with haloperidol
Forms and strengths, route of administration
50 mg in 2 ml ampoule(25 mg/ml) for deep IM injection.
NEVER ADMINISTER BY SC INJECTION.
Dosage and duration
Adult: 25 mg, to be repeated after 30 minutes if necessary. If no response 30 minutes after the second dose,administer 50 mg (total dose max. 100 mg).
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
Administer with caution and monitor use:
in older patients;
in patients with prostate disorders, closed-angle glaucoma, epilepsy, orthostatic hypotension, severe renal or hepatic impairment;
in patients taking central nervous system depressants (opioid analgesics, antipsychotics, sedatives, antidepressants, etc.) or drugs known tohave an anticholinergic effect (atropine, amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, etc.).
May cause:
drowsiness, dizziness, headache, confusional state,hypotension, photosensitivity (protectskin from sun exposure);
anticholinergic effects(dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, tachycardia, disorders of micturition);
Promethazine by IV route should only be used in intensive care unit, at a max. concentration of 1 mg/ml by infusion over 20 minutes using a central catheter or a large bore peripheral catheter(risk of necrosis and peripheral gangrene).
Promethazine is not included in the WHO list of essential medicines.