Brompheniramine
Conditions Treated
Brompheniramine relieves red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose caused by allergies, hay fever, and the common cold. Brompheniramine helps control symptoms, but does not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Brompheniramine should not be used to cause sleepiness in children. Brompheniramine is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
Possible Side Effects
What Side Effects Can This Cause?
Brompheniramine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- drowsiness
- dry mouth, nose, and throat
- nausea
- headache
- chest congestion
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- vision problems
- difficulty urinating
Usage Instructions
How Should This Medication Be Used
Brompheniramine comes in combination with other cough and cold medications as a chewable tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) capsule, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and a liquid to be taken by mouth. The chewable tablet and liquid are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed. The extended-release tablets and capsules are usually taken every 8 or 12 hours as needed. Follow the directions on the package label or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take brompheniramine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than directed by the package label or prescribed by your doctor. Brompheniramine comes in combination with other cough and cold medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which product is best for your symptoms. Check nonprescription cough and cold product labels carefully before taking two or more products at the same time. These products may contain the same active ingredient(s) and taking them together could cause you to receive an overdose. This is especially important if you will be giving cough and cold medications to a child. Nonprescription cough and cold combination products, including products that contain brompheniramine, can cause serious side effects or death in young children. Do not give these products to children younger than 6 years of age. If you give these products to children 6-11 years of age, use caution and follow the package directions carefully. If you are giving a product that contains brompheniramine to a child, read the package label carefully to be sure that it is the right product for a child of that age. Do not give brompheniramine products that are made for adults to children. Before you give a brompheniramine product to a child, check the package label to find out how much medication the child should receive. Give the dose that matches the child's age on the chart. Ask the child's doctor if you don't know how much medication to give the child. If you are taking the liquid, do not use a household spoon to measure your dose. Use the measuring spoon or cup that came with the medication or use a spoon made especially for measuring medication. If you are taking the extended-release tablets or capsules swallow them whole; do not crush, break, or chew them. Stop taking brompheniramine and call your doctor if your symptoms last longer than 7 days or if you have a fever.
What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Are There Any Special Instructions
Before taking brompheniramine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to brompheniramine or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; medications for depression or seizures; monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); muscle relaxants; narcotic medications for pain; sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other breathing problems; glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision); ulcers; difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate gland); heart disease; high blood pressure; seizures; or an overactive thyroid gland. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking brompheniramine. you should know that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking brompheniramine. Alcohol can make the side effects of brompheniramine worse.
Brand Names
Common Brand Names for This Medication
- B Vex®§
- Bromax®§
- Brovex®§
- Tanacof XR®§
- Vazol®§
- AccuHist DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine)§
- AccuHist PDX® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)
- Alahist DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)
- Allanhist PDX® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)¶
- B Vex D® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§
- Balacall DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)¶
- Betatan® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Carbetapentane, Phenylephrine)§
- BPM PE DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§
- Brofed® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Bromaphedrine D® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§
- Bromdex® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Bromfed® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Bromfed DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine)
- Bromhist DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Bromhist PDX® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§
- Bromphenex DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine)
- Bromtuss DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§
- Bromuphed® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Bromuphed PD® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Brotapp® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)
- Brotapp PE-DM Cough and Cold® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)
- Brotapp-DM Cold and Cough® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine)
- Brovex D® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§
- Brovex PEB® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)
- Brovex PEB DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)
- Brovex PSB® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)
- Brovex PSB DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine)
- Brovex SR® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Carbofed DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Centussin DHC® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dihydrocodeine, Phenylephrine)§
- Children's Dimetapp Cold and Allergy® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)
- Children's Dimetapp Cold and Cough® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)
- Decon G® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine)§
- Dimaphen DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)¶
- Dimetane DX® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine)
- Duravent-DPB® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§
- EndaCof-DH® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dihydrocodeine, Phenylephrine)
- Histacol DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Guaifenesin, Dexchlorpheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)§
- J-Tan D PD® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§
- J-Tan PD® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine)§
- Lodrane® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Lohist-DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§
- LoHist-PD® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)§
- LoHist-PEB® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)
- LoHist-PEB-DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)
- LoHist-PSB® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)
- LoHist-PSB-DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine)
- Myphetane Dx® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Pediahist DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Poly-Tussin AC® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Codeine, Phenylephrine)
- Respa BR® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine)§
- RespaHist II® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§
- Rhinabid® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§
- Rondec® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine)§
- Seradex® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§
- Tanabid® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§
- Trexbrom® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Carbetapentane, Phenylephrine)§
- Tusdec DM® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)§
- Tusnel® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin)§
- Vazobid® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§
- Vazotan® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Carbetapentane, Phenylephrine)¶
- V-Cof® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Carbetapentane, Phenylephrine)§
- V-Hist® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Phenylephrine)§
- Y-Cof DMX® (as a combination product containing Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, Phenylephrine)
Overdose
What To Do In The Case of Emergency
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Forgotten Doses
What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose?
Brompheniramine is usually taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take brompheniramine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Additional Information
What Are the Storage Conditions for this Medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
What Other Information Should I Know?
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about brompheniramine. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. [[[sup|||§ These products are not currently approved by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, and quality. Federal law generally requires that prescription drugs in the U.S. be shown to be both safe and effective prior to marketing. Please see the FDA website for more information on unapproved drugs (http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm213030.htm) and the approval process (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm054420.htm).]]] [[[sup|||¶ These branded products are no longer on the market and only generic alternatives are available.]]]