Promethazine topical gel

Promethazine (also called ­­­Phenergan^®) is a medicine called an antiemetic. It is used to treat nausea and vomiting. Promethazine topical gel is a way of giving your child this nausea medicine. When the gel is put on your child's skin, a small amount of the medicine is absorbed through the skin.

The best thing about giving medicine this way is your child will receive this medicine without having to swallow it, have an intramuscular (IM) injection, or have an intravenous (IV) line.

This gel is not available commercially, but the St. Jude Pharmacy will compound (custom-make) your child’s correct dosage. Your child will have the dosage of ________. You will need to reapply the gel every 4–6 hours as needed or as directed by your child’s doctor.

1. Open the package of promethazine topical gel.
2. The gel should be applied on your child’s wrist. Even though the gel is being used to treat nausea and vomiting, do not apply the gel to the abdomen.
3. Inspect the skin. Only put the gel on an area of normal skin. Do not put the gel on skin that is red, swollen, or sore. Do not put on skin that has been treated with radiation.
4. Use only water if you need to clean the skin before you apply the gel. Soaps or lotions may irritate the skin. The skin should be allowed to dry completely before applying the gel.
5. You can wear disposable gloves to reduce your exposure to the gel, or you can use a cotton swab to apply the gel.
6. When you are ready to apply the gel, pick up the syringe and remove the cap.
7. Gently squeeze ______ml on the underside of your child’s wrist and massage it into the skin. Allow the gel to dry completely.
8. Recap the syringe for future doses. Store at room temperature. Throw away the syringe in the trash if it is empty.
9. You should repeat this process every 4 to 6 hours as needed or as directed by your child’s doctor.
10. If you get some of the gel on your skin, wash your skin with running water. Do not use soap or alcohol to remove the gel. That might make it easier for your skin to absorb the medicine. If you have concerns about the medicine getting on your skin, call 901-595-3300 and ask to speak to the pharmacist, or your primary clinic doctor or nurse.

Do not swallow promethazine topical gel.