The Dangers of Intravenous Promethazine Administration

Abstract

Adverse events associated with intravenous promethazine administration have been reported in the literature for several years. For example, a professional guitar player, suffering from a migraine headache, went to an emergency department where she received an accidental arterial administration of Phenergan (promethazine), intended for intravenous administration. She developed circulatory problems at the site of injection, which lead to progressive gangrene and amputation of her arm in stages. In 2004, she was awarded $2.4 million for her past and future medical expenses and $5 million for pain and suffering.