Drug interactions
Brimonidine + Promethazine
Severity: Minor
Brimonidine and Promethazine: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Brimonidine is an alpha-2 agonist that can cause drowsiness, mainly when absorbed systemically. Promethazine adds sedation, but with ophthalmic brimonidine the systemic exposure is small and the effect is usually minor.
What this interaction means in plain words
Brimonidine and Promethazine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Brimonidine belongs to Miscellaneous; Promethazine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects, with limited systemic brimonidine exposure from eye drops.
What to do
Counsel patients about possible additive drowsiness before driving. No dose change is generally needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Promethazine
- Cabergoline + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Dopamine + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Promethazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Promethazine Major
Other interactions of Brimonidine
- Brimonidine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Linezolid Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Brimonidine with Promethazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Brimonidine and Promethazine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Brimonidine is an alpha-2 agonist that can cause drowsiness, mainly when absorbed systemically. Promethazine adds sedation, but with ophthalmic brimonidine the systemic exposure is small and the effect is usually minor.
How serious is the interaction between Brimonidine and Promethazine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel patients about possible additive drowsiness before driving. No dose change is generally needed.
What other medicines interact with Promethazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Promethazine with, for example, Cabergoline, Dopamine, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Promethazine page.
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