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Overview: Brompheniramine is an antihistamine that is used to help treat certain allergy or common cold symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, or an itchy nose or throat. The most common side effect is drowsiness but may have the opposite effect in children. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination, until you know how brompheniramine affects you.

Uses

What is brompheniramine used for?

Brompheniramine is commonly used to help with allergy or common cold symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, or an itchy nose or throat.

Brompheniramine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does brompheniramine work (mechanism of action)?

Brompheniramine is an antihistamine. It works by blocking the effect of a substance in your body called histamine.

How is brompheniramine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Dimetapp Cold and Allergy

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 2 mg/10 ml oral solution

How should I store brompheniramine?

Brompheniramine should be stored at room temperature, such as between about 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C).

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of brompheniramine?

The most common side effect of brompheniramine is drowsiness. Tell your health care provider if you have drowsiness that bothers you.

There may be other side effects of brompheniramine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of brompheniramine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of brompheniramine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Brompheniramine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking brompheniramine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use brompheniramine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take brompheniramine.

  • Brompheniramine
  • Dimetapp Cold and Allergy
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific brompheniramine products they stock.

What should I know about brompheniramine before using it?

Keep brompheniramine out of the reach of children.

Do not use brompheniramine to make a child sleepy. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions.

Use the measuring device that comes with your medicine to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. If you do not have the measuring device that came with your medicine, ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Brompheniramine can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how brompheniramine affects you.

Drowsiness is a common side effect with brompheniramine. Some people, especially children, may have the opposite effect and become excited or hyper after taking it. Talk with your pharmacist or health care provider if you have any concerns. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using brompheniramine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if brompheniramine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Brompheniramine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking brompheniramine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how brompheniramine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take brompheniramine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Brompheniramine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take brompheniramine while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does brompheniramine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between brompheniramine and foods or drinks.

Avoid alcohol while you are taking brompheniramine. The risk of drowsiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking brompheniramine.

Does brompheniramine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking brompheniramine.

  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety
  • An antihistamine, such as chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which is a medicine commonly used to treat allergy symptoms
  • A stimulant, such as amphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, or methylphenidate, which is a medicine commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • A decongestant that you spray in your nose or take by mouth, such as oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, or pseudoephedrine, which is used to treat nasal congestion
  • A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), within the past two weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease 

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with brompheniramine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much brompheniramine?

If you or someone else has used too much brompheniramine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of brompheniramine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.