Drug interactions
Dexmedetomidine + Promethazine
Severity: Moderate
Dexmedetomidine and Promethazine: moderate 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
Dexmedetomidine is a sedative alpha-2 agonist and promethazine is a strongly sedating antihistamine. Together they can cause deeper than intended sedation, hypotension and bradycardia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexmedetomidine and Promethazine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Dexmedetomidine belongs to Central Nervous System; Promethazine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from alpha-2 agonism and H1 antagonism.
What to do
Titrate dexmedetomidine to sedation level and monitor blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. Consider lowering the dose of either drug.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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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 Dexmedetomidine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexmedetomidine with Promethazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexmedetomidine and Promethazine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Dexmedetomidine is a sedative alpha-2 agonist and promethazine is a strongly sedating antihistamine. Together they can cause deeper than intended sedation, hypotension and bradycardia.
How serious is the interaction between Dexmedetomidine and Promethazine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate dexmedetomidine to sedation level and monitor blood pressure, heart rate and respiration. Consider lowering the dose of either drug.
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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