brompheniramine / dextromethorphan / pseudoephedrine
Bromfed DM is a combination of three medications: brompheniramine (an antihistamine), pseudoephedrine (a decongestant), and dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant). It's used to relieve symptoms from allergies and the common cold. Bromfed DM is available only with a prescription and comes as a liquid.
What is Bromfed DM?
What is Bromfed DM used for?
Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold:
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Itching of the nose or throat
- Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
How Bromfed DM works
Bromfed DM is a combination of three medications that work together to relieve symptoms caused by allergies and the common cold.
- Brompheniramine is an antihistamine. It blocks a natural substance in your body called histamine that normally causes allergy or common cold symptoms. By blocking histamine, brompheniramine lowers inflammation (swelling) and relieves runny or itchy nose, sneezing, and watery eyes.
- Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that clears your sinuses to relieve sinus pressure.
- Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works in the brain to lower your urge to cough.
Drug facts
Side effects of Bromfed DM
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
Less Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Feeling restless
- Constipation
- Trouble urinating
- Trouble sleeping
- Temporary changes in blood pressure (up or down)
Bromfed DM serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Excessive sleepiness or dizziness
- Allergic reactions: hives, rash, blisters, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, skin reddening
- Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, confusion
- Accidentally taking too much medication (overdose): seizures, heart rhythm problems, hallucinations, confusion, flushed skin, skin that's warm to the touch, vision changes
The following Bromfed DM side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart palpitations—rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Increase in blood pressure
- Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
- Trouble passing urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Anxiety, nervousness
- Confusion
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
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Pros and cons of Bromfed DM
Pros
- Convenient to take three medications in a single liquid
- Typically starts working within 30 minutes
- Flavored liquid for better taste
- Available as a lower-cost, generic form
Cons
- Might have to take as often as every 4 hours to relieve symptoms
- More difficult to customize the dose since Bromfed DM is a fixed combination of three medications
- Available only as a liquid
- Might not be the best choice for people over 65 years old, people with glaucoma, or people with breathing, heart, or urinary problems
Pharmacist tips for Bromfed DM
- Follow your provider's instructions on how to take Bromfed DM. Typically, you can take the medication up to every 4 hours to relieve your cold and allergy symptoms.
- Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure your dose of Bromfed DM. Don't use household spoons because they might not be accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacy to provide you with one if the product doesn't include it in its packaging or if you need extras.
- Bromfed DM can make you feel sleepy or dizzy. Don't drive until you know how the medication affects you.
- While Bromfed DM usually makes adults sleepy, it's possible for children who use the medication to become overly excited or energetic. If this happens to your child, speak to your child's provider.
- Don't start any new medications while taking Bromfed DM, especially other antihistamines, cough suppressants, or decongestants, without talking to your provider or pharmacist first. Doing so can raise your risk of severe side effects from taking too much of any one ingredient, including daytime sleepiness, dizziness, high blood pressure, fast heart rate, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), or even death.
- Bromfed DM can interact with a lot of commonly used prescription and over-the-counter medications. Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking before starting Bromfed DM. Don't start any new medications while taking Bromfed DM without talking to your provider or pharmacist first to make sure the combination is safe to take together.
- Store Bromfed DM in a cool and dry place at room temperature in it's original container to protect from light.
Common questions about Bromfed DM
Certain states like Oregon consider pseudoephedrine (an ingredient in Bromfed DM) a controlled substance and put strict regulations on the medication. Depending on your state's laws, you might need to show identification when picking Bromfed DM up at the pharmacy or follow certain regulations.
Bromfed DM is generally safe to take, but it's not the best choice for everyone. Make sure to ask your provider if this medication is safe for you if you're 65 years of age or older, since side effects can be more intense in this age group. Also ask your provider if Bromfed DM is right for you if you're taking other medications, or if you have asthma or certain other medical conditions (e.g., heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood sugar (diabetes), trouble urinating, glaucoma, thyroid problems), or are taking other medications. This is because Bromfed DM can interact with other medications or worsen certain health conditions and cause side effects.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Bromfed DM because this combination raises your risk of sleepiness and dizziness.
Bromfed DM is a combination medication containing brompheniramin, pseudoephedrine, and dextromethorphan. Most antihistamines like brompheniramine are generally considered safe during pregnancy. But pseudoephedrine is usually not recommended for expecting mothers during the first 3 months of pregnancy due to a risk of harm to babies. Bromfed DM should only be used while you're expecting if it's clearly needed. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, don't use Bromfed DM until you've talked to your provider first.
You shouldn't take Bromfed DM if you're nursing. Bromfed DM contains brompheniramine (an antihistamine), and there might be a higher risk of side effects from the antihistamine in infants, particularly newborns and premature babies. Additionally, medications that contain pseudoephedrine like Bromfed DM can affect your ability to breastfeed and potentially cause irritability and other side effects in your baby. If you're breastfeeding, don't use Bromfed DM, and contact your provider or pharmacist for other available options for treating cold and allergy symptoms.
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Risks and warnings for Bromfed DM
Bromfed DM can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Sleepiness
- Risk factors: Drinking alcohol while taking Bromfed DM | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness | Age 65 or older
Bromfed DM can make you very sleepy, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. This side effect is more likely to happen or be more intense if you're 65 years or older, drink alcohol while taking this medication, or take other medications that cause sleepiness, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, or sleep medications. Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Serotonin syndrome
- Risk factors: Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) 14 days before starting Bromfed DM | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels
Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition where there's too much serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemicals in your brain responsible for your mood. Your risk for this condition goes up if you use Bromfed DM with other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as antidepressants like sertraline (Zoloft) and duloxetine (Cymbalta), MAOIs like phenelzine (Nardil), and migraine medications like sumatriptan (Imitrex). Let your provider know about all the medications you take or plan to take (including over-the-counter medications and supplements). They can make sure Bromfed DM is safe for you to take. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, and confusion. Seek medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Possible worsening of medical conditions
- Risk factors: Heart disease or high blood pressure | Thyroid problems | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Asthma | Glaucoma | Gut blockage | Urinary problems
Tell your provider if you have any of the risk factors listed above. Taking Bromfed DM can worsen certain medical condition(s) and cause serious side effects. Make sure your provider knows about all medical conditions you have or have had in the past before starting Bromfed DM so they can make sure it's safe for you.
Accidental overdose
Bromfed DM contains an antihistamine (brompheniramine), a decongestant (pseudoephedrine), and a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), which can all be found in many other over-the-counter and prescription medications. Using more than one medication containing these types of ingredients can lead to an accidental overdose and cause serious side effects. These serious side effects can include high blood pressure, seizures, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), or even death. Tell your provider or pharmacist about the medications you take before starting Bromfed DM. Also don't start any new medications while taking Bromfed DM without talking to your provider or pharmacist first. They can make sure your medications are safe for you to take.
Early signs of overdose include daytime sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, not being aware of your surroundings, flushed skin, skin that's warm to the touch, and vision changes. If you or your loved one experiences an accidental overdose, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Bromfed DM dosage
Ml of syrup| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2mg/30mg/10mg/5ml | 118 ml | $10.84 | $0.09 |
Typical dosage for Bromfed DM
Each 5 mL of medication contains 2 mg of brompheniramine, 30 mg of pseudoephedrine, and 10 mg of dextromethorphan.
- Adults and children 12 years and older: The typical dose is 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) by mouth every 4 hours.
- Children 6 to under 12 years old: The typical dose is 5 mL (1 teaspoonful) by mouth every 4 hours.
- Children 2 to under 6 years old: The typical dose is 2.5 mL (one-half teaspoonful) by mouth every 4 hours.
- Children under 2 years old: Ask your child's provider.
Don't use more than 6 doses in a 24-hour period.
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Bromfed DM contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Bromfed DM will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently take an MAOI
- Newborn babies or premature infants
- Nursing mothers
- Severe high blood pressure or heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease)
- Use for treating breathing problems like asthma
What are alternatives to Bromfed DM?
Short-term relief of symptoms from allergies and the common cold:
Bromfed DM images
