Histazin

Quick links to important sections

Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Histazin

What is Histazin? Defining the Entity and Pharmacological Class

Property Description
Active ingredient Promethazine hydrochloride
Form Tablets, Syrup, Solution, Suppository
Pharmacological class First-generation Antihistamine
General purpose Allergy relief, Sedation, Anti-nausea (Antiemetic)
Origin Synthetic, Phenothiazine derivative

Histazin is a trade name for a medication whose active component is Promethazine hydrochloride, primarily classified as a first-generation antihistamine. This class of medicine is specifically designed to counteract the effects of histamine, a natural chemical released in the body that triggers allergic symptoms. Promethazine is a synthetic compound derived from the phenothiazine group, structurally distinguishing it from newer antihistamines. As a phenothiazine derivative, it is an antihistamine with notable sedative effects. The medication is primarily defined by its core pharmacological action and its distinct structural family, which is clinically recognized for its central nervous system influence.


Composition, Origin, and Available Forms

The medication is a single-ingredient product derived solely from the synthetic substance Promethazine hydrochloride. Due to the diverse needs of patients, Histazin is manufactured in multiple dosage forms suitable for various routes of administration. These forms include solid tablets for oral use, a liquid syrup or oral solution, and sterile preparations for parenteral (injection) administration, as well as rectal suppositories. The existence of the syrup formulation, often marketed with a specific flavor profile, offers a differentiating factor, positioning it as an option for patient groups who may have difficulty swallowing tablets. The composition of the final product includes the active ingredient alongside aqueous bases, alcoholic solutions, or solid excipients, depending on the final preparation.


High-Level Purpose: Beyond Simple Allergy Relief

The general purpose of Histazin is to provide effective symptomatic relief by blocking the effects of histamine and influencing specific nerve signals. Beyond mitigating typical allergic reactions such as itching and sneezing, the medicine's unique properties enable it to address symptoms linked to motion and the digestive tract. These properties include its application for motion sickness and its sedative capacity. The drug's purpose extends to providing calming and anti-nausea relief, which stems from its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The drug is often chosen in a scenario where a patient requires simultaneous control of allergy symptoms and medically induced sedation.

What side effects are possible with Histazin?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The officially documented safety profile for Histazin (Promethazine hydrochloride) is structured by frequency and the body system affected, based on regulatory classifications established by government health agencies. The most common adverse reactions are centered on the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Frequency and System Classification

Adverse effects are listed according to regulatory frequency terminology:

Classification Examples of Adverse Reactions (SOC)
Very Common (ge 1/10) Drowsiness, Sedation, Somnolence (Nervous System)
Common (ge 1/100 to <1/10) Dizziness, Blurred Vision (Eye), Dry Mouth (Gastrointestinal), Urinary Retention (Genitourinary)

Other adverse effects affecting various systems include Hypotension (Cardiovascular), Photosensitivity (Skin), and rare but documented Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders such as Leukopenia and Agranulocytosis.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Restrictions

Regulatory documentation highlights several serious safety considerations. A Boxed Warning states that Histazin is contraindicated in pediatric patients under two years of age due to the risk of fatal respiratory depression. Other serious reactions listed include Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), Convulsive Seizures, and the risk of severe tissue injury (including gangrene) when improperly administered via injection.

Official safety notes indicate that older adults are particularly susceptible to anticholinergic effects like confusion and urinary retention. Furthermore, the medicine is contraindicated in patients in a comatose state and those with a known history of hypersensitivity to phenothiazines. Sedative effects are typically rapid in onset.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Official regulatory documents describe the overdose profile for Histazin (Promethazine) as having potentially life-threatening outcomes, necessitating immediate emergency action.

Overdose manifestations span the central nervous system (CNS), ranging from severe drowsiness and coma to paradoxical signs of excitation, including agitation, hallucinations, and seizures. Other documented symptoms include anticholinergic effects like dry mouth, dilated pupils, and urinary retention.

Severe and Life-Threatening Outcomes

Outcome Description
Respiratory Risk Potential for fatal respiratory depression and apnea.
Cardiovascular Risk Severe hypotension, tachycardia, and cardiac dysrhythmias.
Systemic Risk Risk of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS).

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

Government guidance requires that immediate medical advice must be sought for any suspected overdose. Emergency services should be contacted if the person has collapsed, has had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened. Management is strictly symptomatic and supportive, as no specific antidote is known; it includes vital signs monitoring, airway support, and potential use of activated charcoal.

Population-Specific Warnings

Official labeling warns that the risk of sudden death is associated with excessively large dosages in pediatric patients. Similarly, the elderly and debilitated patients have an increased susceptibility to life-threatening respiratory depression.

Therapeutic Uses of Histazin

Histazin is generally used across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed, primarily addressing symptoms related to heightened physiological activity and systemic imbalance. Its therapeutic scope includes the management of allergic manifestations like persistent itching and sneezing, its application in addressing pronounced nausea and vomiting, and providing support for sedation and calming in procedural and travel-related contexts. The medication is commonly used across conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, such as allergic rhinitis, motion sickness, and acute procedural apprehension.

“It provides supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities, contributing to improved comfort during symptomatic periods.”

Applied in scenarios where short-term symptomatic assistance is needed, Histazin plays a role in managing symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain, assisting with maintaining functional stability in settings like preoperative support or during labor. It contributes to easing the overall symptom load.


Quick Fact: May Assist in Easing Pronounced Nausea

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information on Promethazine

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

The eligibility for Histazin (Promethazine) use is strictly governed by age, physiological state, and pre-existing conditions as defined in official regulatory documents, such as the FDA Prescribing Information.


Eligibility Scope

Classification Eligibility Rule as Stated in Label
Contraindicated Pediatric patients less than 2 years of age due to the potential for fatal respiratory depression.
Contraindicated Patients in a comatose state or those with CNS depression, or known hypersensitivity to promethazine or phenothiazines.
Contraindicated Treatment of lower respiratory tract symptoms, including acute asthma.
Use with Caution Children 2 years of age and older (lowest effective dose recommended).
Use with Caution Patients with seizure disorders, cardiovascular disease, impaired liver function, or conditions like narrow-angle glaucoma or prostatic hypertrophy.
Not Recommended Use during the third trimester of pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Eligibility Classifications (High-Level)

Category Regulatory Status
Age Restriction Contraindicated below 2 years; Conditional Use for 2 years and older.
Organ/Comorbidity Use with Caution in Hepatic/Renal Impairment and Seizure Disorders.

These official statements define who is formally prohibited from using the medicine and which populations require conditional use, serving as the mandatory constraints for prescribing Histazin.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Histazin Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory documents establish constraints on the use of Histazin with specific substances and in certain patient populations to mitigate interaction risks. The official interaction profile primarily covers pharmacodynamic augmentation and pharmacokinetic clearance concerns.

Interaction Domain Interacting Products/Category Regulatory Constraint/Basis
Central Nervous System (CNS) Effects Alcohol and CNS Depressants (e.g., sedatives, tranquilizers) Concomitant use is advised against, as it may cause additional reductions in alertness and impairment of performance, especially in sensitive patients.
Renal Elimination / Clearance Patients with Renal Impairment (e.g., severe renal insufficiency) Clearance is reduced, necessitating individualized dosing adjustments based on renal function. Use is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment (Creatinine Clearance <10 mL/min).
Diagnostic Testing Allergy Skin Testing A wash-out period of 3 days is officially required before administering allergy skin tests to prevent inhibition of the histamine response and ensure accurate results.

Pharmacokinetic interaction studies with antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, azithromycin) and antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole) have not shown clinically significant interactions. However, a slight decrease in the clearance of Histazin was observed during co-administration with theophylline.

Mechanism of Action

Histazin, containing the active ingredient cetirizine, modulates physiological activity driven by histamine signaling. Its mechanism operates across two key domains: selective receptor antagonism and modulatory cellular effects.


Selective Histamine H1-Receptor Antagonism

Histazin acts within the domain of receptor-mediated signaling by being a selective antagonist of peripheral histamine H1 receptors. By competitively binding to these receptors, the drug effectively suppresses the signaling sequence that is normally initiated by the binding of endogenous histamine. This modification of an early molecular step attenuates the signaling output resulting from excessive mediator activity, which is associated with changes in vascular permeability.


Modulation of Inflammatory Cellular Activity

The drug also engages mechanisms that influence the activation state of specific cellular pathways associated with an immune response. This involves modulating pathways where certain inflammatory cells are activated. Histazin supports the influence on processes driven by distinct signaling patterns by affecting the migration and activation of inflammatory cells, such as eosinophils and neutrophils, to tissues. This action influences pathway signaling, which contributes to the drug's overall profile of modulating cellular responses in the targeted pathways.

Dosage and Administration Information

Histazin is administered via oral (tablet, syrup, solution), rectal, or parenteral routes, including deep intramuscular (IM) injection and slow intravenous (IV) injection. The dosing regimen is determined by the required usage pattern. For continuous symptomatic relief, an adult dose of 25 mg once daily at bedtime is typical, or a lower dose of 6.25 mg to 12.5 mg may be taken multiple times daily. For acute situations, such as managing pronounced nausea, a single dose of 25 mg to 50 mg is often administered, with subsequent doses for acute symptoms occurring every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

Administration requires adherence to specific procedural guidelines. Oral forms of Histazin may be taken with food, water, or milk to help reduce possible gastrointestinal discomfort. When administered parenterally, deep intramuscular injection is the generally preferred method. For intravenous use, the medication must be diluted to a concentration not exceeding 1 mg/mL and infused very slowly at a maximum rate of 2.5 mL per minute into a large vein.

Special consideration is given to specific patient groups. Dosing for pediatric patients aged two years and older is based on a body weight calculation, aiming for the lowest effective dose. Older adults should receive a lower starting dose due to heightened sensitivity. If a dose is missed, the protocol involves taking it as soon as it is remembered unless the time for the next scheduled dose is near, in which case the missed dose is skipped.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Histazin: Recent Clinical Evidence


Evidence for use in Seasonal and Perennial Allergies (e.g., Hay Fever)

This section will summarize the types of clinical studies, such as randomized trials, that have investigated how Histazin was studied for its role in managing symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes associated with seasonal (like hay fever) and year-round (perennial) allergies.

Histazin was studied for use in conditions characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations like seasonal allergies, often involving periods of heightened symptoms. The findings from these controlled trials describe patterns observed in how patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort evolved in populations with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Research highlights changes measured during the study period showing patterns related to how symptoms like runny nose and sneezing evolved when Histazin was compared to a placebo. While the short-term research provides insight into short-term changes, comparative evidence is lacking to definitively contextualize Histazin against every other treatment option available.


Evidence for use in Chronic Hives (Urticaria)

This part will describe the existing research, including findings from controlled studies, that has evaluated how Histazin was studied for its role in managing skin symptoms, such as the itching, redness, and swelling caused by chronic idiopathic urticaria (long-lasting hives with no clear cause).

For conditions associated with acute or disruptive episodes like chronic hives, Histazin was evaluated in studies focused on outcomes linked to inflammatory or irritative states of the skin. Research exploring short-term symptom changes describes patterns where use of Histazin was associated with changes in outcomes related to physical discomfort (e.g., itching severity). Findings indicate patterns of change in patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort when Histazin was observed in patients. Follow-up durations were limited in many of these studies; therefore, evidence for how Histazin influences conditions presenting with cycles of stability and flare-ups over many months is not fully established.


What is Still Uncertain about Histazin

This final section will synthesize and clearly state the main areas where scientific evidence is still lacking, research findings may be inconsistent, and areas where more research is needed.

Data for certain groups remain insufficient, especially for those with multiple comorbid conditions. Specific evidence concerning the use of Histazin during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is limited. The comparative evidence is lacking to fully place Histazin within the context of all similar available treatments. Research is ongoing to address these gaps and further clarify how Histazin was studied for conditions involving periods of heightened symptoms.

Key Studies & References Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Allergic Rhinitis

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Histazin (FAQ)

Q: How quickly can someone expect to feel the effect of Histazin?

Official regulatory documents state that the onset of the medicine's effects is generally observed within 15 to 30 minutes following administration. This rapid onset is a characteristic described in the official product information.

Q: Is there any research about Histazin's long-term use?

The current body of clinical evidence primarily focuses on the medicine's short-term efficacy and safety. Official product information indicates that there is limited data available from studies that observe Histazin's use over many months or years.

Q: I take medication for high blood pressure; is it safe to use Histazin?

Official safety notes indicate that a potential adverse reaction of this medicine is Hypotension (low blood pressure). Regulatory documents also advise that individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease use the medicine with caution.

Q: Is it possible to take Histazin for many years?

Regulatory documents specify dosing for both acute use and continuous symptomatic relief. However, official information does not define a specific maximum duration of treatment that applies to all patients.

Q: Does taking Histazin affect the ability to drive or operate machinery?

Due to the very common adverse effects of Drowsiness and Sedation, official warnings state that the medicine may impair performance of tasks requiring mental alertness. This includes driving or operating heavy machinery.

Q: What types of allergic reactions are associated with Histazin?

Official documents list generalized Hypersensitivity reactions, which are allergic responses. These can involve common skin symptoms like a rash, and in rare cases, the severe reaction known as Angioedema (localized swelling).

Q: Does Histazin have any known effects on mood or anxiety?

The most common adverse effects of Histazin are focused on the Central Nervous System (CNS) and include Drowsiness, Dizziness, and Confusion. Regulatory adverse event classifications generally do not focus on direct effects on mood or anxiety.

Q: Why are routine blood tests sometimes suggested while taking Histazin?

The medicine is associated with rare but documented adverse reactions affecting the blood system, such as Leukopenia (low white blood cell count) and Agranulocytosis. The potential for these changes may lead healthcare providers to suggest periodic monitoring in some patients.

Q: What is the difference between Histazin and similar over-the-counter medicines?

Histazin is formally classified as a first-generation antihistamine that is derived from the phenothiazine chemical family. This structure gives it notable sedative properties. Similar over-the-counter medicines often belong to newer, different pharmacological classes.

Q: Is it normal to feel a mild stomach upset when starting Histazin?

While generalized stomach upset is not listed among the common side effects, official guidance does suggest taking oral forms of the medicine with food, water, or milk. This is specifically recommended to help reduce possible gastrointestinal discomfort.

Q: What happens if I take Histazin with a daily vitamin supplement?

Regulatory interaction studies and official drug information do not list any known clinically significant interactions between Histazin and common daily vitamin or mineral supplements.

Q: Are there specific food types that should be avoided when taking Histazin?

Official guidance specifically advises against the consumption of alcohol while using Histazin due to augmented sedative effects. No specific foods, other than alcohol-containing products, are cited in regulatory documentation as needing to be avoided.

Q: Can Histazin be used with common cold medications?

Official warnings advise against concomitant use with Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants, which are active ingredients commonly found in cold and flu medications. This is due to the risk of increased reductions in alertness.

Q: Does Histazin interact with birth control pills?

Regulatory interaction studies and official product labeling have not identified a clinically significant drug interaction between Histazin and oral contraceptives (birth control pills).

Q: Is Histazin a controlled substance?

According to official classification by regulatory bodies, Histazin (Promethazine) is not classified as a controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act.

Q: What is the time frame for Histazin to leave the system after the last dose?

The time frame for the body to process and eliminate the medicine is described in official clinical pharmacology documents by its half-life. Regulatory documents state the half-life is approximately 7 to 14 hours.

Q: Can Histazin cause any long-term changes in the body?

Official regulatory documents cite the risk of developing conditions like Tardive Dyskinesia or Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). These represent serious, potentially long-term effects associated with phenothiazine derivatives.

Q: What steps should be taken if someone experiences a serious side effect?

Official regulatory guidance advises that immediate medical attention be sought if serious side effects are experienced. This includes signs of breathing difficulties, severe tissue injury, or other reactions listed in the official patient information.

Q: Are there different warnings for liquid Histazin versus tablet form?

The most severe safety warning, the Boxed Warning concerning fatal respiratory depression, applies to all formulations (tablets, liquid, and injection) when used in pediatric patients under two years of age.

Q: Does Histazin contain lactose or other common fillers?

Regulatory documentation lists the inactive ingredients (known as excipients) in each specific formulation of the medicine. These often include common ingredients such as lactose, starch, or various coloring agents, depending on the final form.

Q: How is the safety of Histazin monitored after it is released to the public?

Regulatory bodies mandate the reporting of serious adverse drug reactions and operate post-marketing surveillance programs. This process continuously monitors the safety profile of the medicine after it becomes available to the public.

Q: What should be done if someone accidentally takes too much Histazin?

Official regulatory guidance for accidental overdose advises that a poison control center be contacted or emergency medical care be sought immediately.

Q: Is there a patient information leaflet (PIL) available for Histazin?

Regulatory requirements mandate that every dispensed package of the medicine must include a Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) or Medication Guide. This document contains the regulatory-approved safety and administration details.

Q: Why is Histazin only available by prescription?

Histazin is classified as a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) because its active ingredient requires professional supervision for safe and effective use. This classification is due to its potent central nervous system effects and potential for severe adverse reactions.

How should Histazin be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal Requirements

Official regulatory labeling dictates specific conditions to maintain the stability and safety of Histazin (Promethazine hydrochloride).

Requirement Specific Condition
Temperature Range Store at 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F) (Controlled Room Temperature).
Handling Restriction Do not freeze the oral syrup or solution formulation.
Protection Keep protected from light and store in a tight, light-resistant container.
Child Safety Must be stored out of the sight and reach of children.

For disposal of unused or expired medicine, the FDA recommends utilizing an approved drug take-back program. If a program is unavailable, dispose of the product by mixing it with an undesirable substance, like coffee grounds, sealing it in a plastic bag, and discarding it in the household trash, in line with non-flush medicine guidance.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Histazin found in:

A-Z Index: