What is this medication?
BROMPHENIRAMINE; PHENYLEPHRINE (brome fen IR a meen; fen il EF rin) is a combination of an antihistamine and a decongestant. It is used to treat the symptoms of allergy and colds. This medicine will not treat an infection.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Brohist, BroveX PB, Histex, J-Tan D SR, RU-Hist-D, Zotex-PE
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- blockage in your bowels
- diabetes (high blood sugar)
- glaucoma
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- lung or breathing disease (asthma, COPD)
- prostate disease
- stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems
- taken an MAOI such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in the last 14 days
- thyroid disease
- an unusual or allergic reaction to brompheniramine, phenylephrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I use this medication?
Take this medicine by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the label. Do not use it more often than directed.
Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 6 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Patients over 65 years of age may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply. This medicine is not for regular use. It should only be used as needed.
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- MAOIs like Marplan, Nardil, Parnate
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- alcohol
- certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
- certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
- certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, primidone
- general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
- medicines that relax muscles for surgery
- narcotic medicines for pain
- other antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
- phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. If you need to use this medicine for more than 7 days, talk to your health care provider.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your health care provider if the problem does not go away or is severe.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions (skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
- increase in blood pressure
- seizures
- trouble passing urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- anxious
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- trouble sleeping
- unusually weak or tired
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medicine after the expiration date.
To get rid of medicines that are no longer needed or have expired:
- Take the medicine to a medicine take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
- If you cannot return the medicine, check the label or package insert to see if the medicine should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your health care provider. If it is safe to put it in the trash, take the medicine out of the container. Mix the medicine with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.