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Diphergan is a prescription antihistamine that contains promethazine hydrochloride. It comes in the form of a syrup and sugar-coated tablets. Due to the presence of the active substance, it has a broad spectrum of activity. What are the main indications for using Diphergan? We check how it should be dosed and what its price is.

Diphergan – action

Diphergan belongs to the group of antihistamines. Due to the content of promethazine hydrochloride, which is the active substance of the preparation, it has antiemetic, sedative and antiallergic properties.

Diphergan – composition and form of the drug

Diphergan comes in two forms:

  1. Diphergan sugar-coated tablets – the excipients are lactose monohydrate, potato starch, sucrose, gelatin, talc, sodium saccharin and magnesium stearate. The drug coating is sucrose, acacia, talc, sunset yellow (E110) and Capol 1295; 
  2. Syrup Diphergan – excipients of the drug are food caramel, sucrose, sodium benzoate, sodium metabisulfite (E 223), ascorbic acid, diluted hydrochloric acid, orange essence and purified water. 

Diphergan – indications for use

Diphergan – both in the form of syrup and dragees is intended for use in the case of:

  1. symptomatic treatment of allergic conditions of the skin and upper respiratory tract (hay fever, conjunctivitis, skin lesions, dermographism); 
  2. motion sickness (as an antiemetic). 

It is also given to patients before surgeries – in order to calm the sick.

Diphergan – how to dose it?

Use Diphergan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose and frequency of administration depend on the indications, age and individual sensitivity to the drug.

Examples of Diphergan tablets dosing in accordance with the recommendations available on the drug leaflet are as follows:

a) with allergic reactions:

  1. Adults and children over 10 years of age: 10 mg 2 times a day;
  2. Children aged 5-10 years: 25 mg once or 5-10 mg twice a day. 

b) in motion sickness:

  1. Adults and children up to 10 years of age: 20-25 mg the night before the trip;
  2. Children from 5 to 10 years of age: 10 mg the night before travel. 

If necessary, the dose of the drug should be taken again after 6-8 hours.

c) preparation for surgery:

  1. Adults and children over 10 years of age: 25-50 mg 1 hour before the procedure. 
Note:

If you miss one dose of Diphergan, take it as soon as possible and then continue dosing as directed by your doctor. If side effects occur, skip the dose and take the next one as indicated.

Examples of dosing of Diphergan syrup in the treatment of diseases:

a) allergic reaction:

  1. Adults: 10 ml of syrup 2-4 times a day; 
  2. Children aged 2-12: 0,125 mg per 1 kg of body weight every 4-6 hours. 

b) motion sickness:

  1. Adults: 25 ml once, then 10-25 ml every 4-6 hours; 
  2. Children aged 2-12: 0,25-0,5 mg per 1 kg of body weight every 12 hours. 

c) preparation for surgery:

  1. Adults: 25-50 ml once; 
  2. Children aged 2-12: 0,5-1,0 mg per 1 kg of body weight once. 

Diphergan – contraindications to use

Contraindications to the use of Diphergan are:

  1. Allergy to promethazine or any other ingredient of the preparation;
  2. State of coma;
  3. Age under 2;
  4. Central nervous system depression;
  5. Taking MAOI inhibitors or receiving MAOI treatment – as long as 14 days have not elapsed since discontinuing the medications.  

Diphergan – warnings

Warnings for Diphergan (in syrup and sugar-coated tablets):

  1. The dose in children should not exceed half the adult dose;
  2. Do not exceed the recommended dose;
  3. You should not drink alcohol during the treatment;
  4. The drug affects driving and operating machinery – it may cause drowsiness;
  5. The drug passes into breast milk, making the newborn lethargic;
  6. The drug during pregnancy can be used only with the permission of the doctor. 

In addition, it is recommended to use the drug with caution in the case of: glaucoma, epilepsy, renal failure, severe coronary artery disease, bronchial asthma, gastric ulcer disease, hepatic insufficiency, prostatic hyperplasia, bronchitis, and urethral stricture.

It should also be remembered that Diphergan syrup contains sucrose and sodium metabisulfite, therefore people intolerant to sugar should be careful with its use. This also applies to sugar-coated tablets, which, apart from sucrose, contain lactose monohydrate and sunset yellow responsible for the occurrence of allergic reactions.

Diphergan – can you overdose the drug?

In case of overdose with Diphergan induce vomiting and then call a doctor. The characteristic symptoms of an overdose of promethazine hydrochloride include:

  1. Breath hold; 
  2. Hallucinations; 
  3. Cerebral coma; 
  4. Changes in eye color to red; 
  5. Urinary retention; 
  6. Increase in muscle tone; 
  7. Hives. 

If any of the above symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor or go to the nearest hospital. The most common antidotes are caffeine administration or gastric lavage.

  1. Find out who may be subjected to a pharmacological coma

Diphergan – drug interactions

Diphergan syrup and dragees are drugs that may interact with other preparations due to the presence of the active substance. Therefore, before starting the treatment, inform your doctor about all the preparations you are taking.

Diphergan enhances the effects of anticholinergics, tricyclic antidepressants, sedatives and sleeping pills. Diphergan can also not be combined with alcohol.

Diphergan – side effects

Using Diphergan, like any other medication, carries a risk of side effects.

Possible side effects include:

  1. somnolence,  
  2. dizziness,  
  3. fatigue and disorientation,  
  4. blurred vision,  
  5. urinary retention,  
  6. palpitations,  
  7. muscle cramps  
  8. dry mouth  
  9. drop in blood pressure. 

Remember that if you experience drowsiness, dizziness or disorientation, you must not drive a car or operate machinery.

Diphergan – can it be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Diphergan can be used during pregnancy as the studies carried out showed no contraindications. However, it is not recommended to take the preparation two weeks before the due date of delivery. During breastfeeding, Diphergan should only be used under medical supervision.

Diphergan – how should I store the drug?

Diphergan should be kept out of the reach of children, where the temperature is lower than 25 degrees C. The drug must not be kept in the refrigerator or frozen. Before starting the treatment, it is worth checking the expiry date on the packaging.

Diphergan – how much does it cost and where can you buy it?

Diphergan is a prescription-only medicine. It can be purchased directly at the pharmacy or through the website. Diphergan syrup costs about PLN 25. The price for a package of Diphergan 10 mg tablets is approximately PLN 26, and for 25 mg – approximately PLN 29.

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