Brompheniramine (patient information)
Why this medication is prescribed
Brompheniramine, an antihistamine, relieves red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose caused by allergies, hay fever, and the common cold. It also may relieve the itching of insect bites, bee stings, poison ivy, and poison oak.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How this medication should be used
Brompheniramine comes as a regular tablet, extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and liquid to be taken by mouth. It usually is taken every 4, 6, 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 indicated by the package label or your doctor.
Do not crush, break, or chew extended-release tablets; swallow them whole.
Do not give extended-release tablets to a child younger than 12 years of age and do not give regular tablets or oral liquid to a child younger than 6 years of age unless directed to do so by a doctor.
Special precautions
Before taking brompheniramine:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to brompheniramine or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; medications for depression or seizures; muscle relaxants; narcotics (medications for pain); sedatives; sleeping pills; tranquilizers; and vitamins. Do not take brompheniramine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)] within the last 2 weeks.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, diabetes, glaucoma, ulcers, difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate gland), heart disease, high blood pressure, seizures, or an overactive thyroid gland.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking brompheniramine, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking brompheniramine.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
What to do if you forget a dose
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.
Side Effects
Minor Side Effects
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
- upset stomach
- headache
- chest congestion
- diarrhea
Severe Side Effects
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- vision problems
- difficulty urinating
- muscle weakness
- excitement (especially in children)
- prolonged drowsiness
- dizziness
- skin rash
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Storage conditions needed 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.
In case of emergency/overdose
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.
Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Brand names of combination products
- Allent® containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Andehist® Syrup containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Bromadrine PD® containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Bromadrine® containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Bromfed® containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Bromfed-PD® containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Bromfenex® containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Bromfenex® PD containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Bromphenirqmine-PSE® containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Dallergy®-JR containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Dexaphen® SA containing Dexbrompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate
- Dimetapp® Cold & Fever containing Brompheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Dimetapp® Elixir containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Drixoral® Allergy/Sinus containing Dexbrompheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate
- Drixoral® Cold & Allergy containing Dexbrompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate
- Drixoral® Cold & Flu containing Dexbrompheniramine Maleate, Acetaminophen, and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate
- Lodrane® containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Lodrane® LD containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Respahist® containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Rondec® Syrup containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Ultrabrom® containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
- Ultrabrom® PD containing Brompheniramine Maleate and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride