Promethazine is contraindicated for which group?

Promethazine is contraindicated for which group?

• A. Elderly patients
• B. Pregnant individuals in third trimester
• C. People with liver disease
• D. Children under 2

Answer: (D)

Promethazine is a sedating antihistamine that can severely depress respiration in very young children. In kids under 2, airway control and metabolic handling of drugs aren’t fully developed, so a dose that might be tolerated in older children or adults can cause life-threatening respiratory depression or apnea. For that reason, promethazine is contraindicated in children younger than 2 years. Other groups may require caution or dose adjustments, but the specific safety signal here is the high risk in the under-2 age group, especially given the potential for serious breathing problems and, with IV use, tissue injury if the medication leaks into surrounding tissue.

Promethazine is a sedating antihistamine that can severely depress respiration in very young children. In kids under 2, airway control and metabolic handling of drugs aren’t fully developed, so a dose that might be tolerated in older children or adults can cause life-threatening respiratory depression or apnea. For that reason, promethazine is contraindicated in children younger than 2 years.

Other groups may require caution or dose adjustments, but the specific safety signal here is the high risk in the under-2 age group, especially given the potential for serious breathing problems and, with IV use, tissue injury if the medication leaks into surrounding tissue.