$Unique_ID{BRK02094}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE, PHENYLEPHRINE, AND BROMPHENIRAMINE COMBINATION}
$Subject{Bromatapp (various manufacturers)
Bromophen T.D. (Rugby)
brompheniramine, phenylephrine, and phenylpropanolamine (Lederle)
Dimetapp Extentabs (Robins)
Normatane Elixir (Vortech)
Tamine SR (Geneva Generics)
Veltap Elixir (Lannett)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Dimetapp Extentabs*0209401.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE, PHENYLEPHRINE, AND BROMPHENIRAMINE COMBINATION
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Bromatapp (various manufacturers)
     Bromophen T.D. (Rugby)
     brompheniramine, phenylephrine, and phenylpropanolamine (Lederle)
     Dimetapp Extentabs [*] (Robins)
     Normatane Elixir (Vortech)
     Tamine SR (Geneva Generics)
     Veltap Elixir (Lannett)
  *  Recently reformulated Dimetapp does not contain phenylephrine and is
       available without a prescription.
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Adrenergic (decongestant) and antihistamine
INGREDIENTS:
     phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine, and brompheniramine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Sustained-release tablets (15 mg phenylpropanolamine, 15 mg
       phenylephrine, and 12 mg brompheniramine; recently reformulated
       Dimetapp Extentabs contain 75 mg phenylpropanolamine and 12 mg
       brompheniramine, but no phenylephrine)
     Oral elixir (5 mg phenylpropanolamine, 5 mg phenylephrine, 4 mg
       brompheniramine per 5-ml spoonful, with 2.3% or 3% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     The tablets and oral elixir should be stored at room temperature in
       tightly closed, light-resistant containers.  This medication should
       never be frozen.

USES

     This drug combination is used to relieve the symptoms of upper
respiratory tract infections, hay fever and other allergies, and sinusitis
(inflammation of the sinuses).
     Phenylpropanolamine and phenylephrine belong to a group of drugs known as
adrenergic agents (decongestants).  They act by constricting (narrowing) blood
vessels in the nasal passages, thereby reducing swelling and congestion.
     Brompheniramine belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines,
which block the actions of histamine, a chemical released by the body during
an allergic reaction.  It is used to relieve or prevent symptoms of allergy.

TREATMENT

     This medication may cause stomach upset.  In order to avoid this side
effect, you can take phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine, and brompheniramine
combination with food or with a full glass of milk or water (unless your
doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     The oral elixir form of this medication should be measured carefully with
a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is
not accurate enough.
     The sustained-release tablets should be swallowed whole.  Breaking,
chewing, or crushing these tablets destroys their sustained-release activity
and may increase the side effects.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Anxiety; blurred vision; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness;
dry mouth, nose, and throat; heartburn; insomnia; irritability; loss of
appetite; nasal congestion; nausea; restlessness; decreased sweating;
vomiting; or weakness.  These side effects should disappear as your body
adjusts to the medication.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), and drink more
water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     This medication can increase your sensitivity to sunlight.  Avoid
prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps, wear protective clothing, and use
an effective sunscreen.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
     In order to avoid difficulty in falling asleep, take the last dose of
this medication several hours before bedtime.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
chest pain, confusion, convulsions, difficult or painful urination, difficulty
in breathing, fainting, hallucinations, headaches, loss of coordination, mood
changes, nosebleeds, palpitations, rash, severe abdominal pain, sore throat,
or unusual bleeding or bruising.

INTERACTIONS

     Phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine, and brompheniramine combination
interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Concurrent use of it with central nervous system depressants (such as
alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle relaxants,
narcotics, pain medications, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with
tricyclic antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (isocarboxazid, pargyline,
phenelzine, tranylcypromine) and tricyclic antidepressants can increase the
side effects of this medication.  At least 14 days should separate the use of
this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
     3. The side effects of the antihistamine part of this medication may be
increased by quinidine, procainamide, haloperidol, and phenothiazine
tranquilizers; and the side effects of the decongestant component may be
increased by digoxin or by over-the-counter (nonprescription) allergy, asthma,
cough, cold, diet, or sinus preparations.
     4. The blood-pressure-lowering effects of guanethidine may be decreased
by this medication.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to brompheniramine, to other antihistamines (such
as azatadine, chlorpheniramine, carbinoxamine, clemastine, cyproheptadine,
dexchlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline,
doxylamine, hydroxyzine, promethazine, pyrilamine, trimeprazine,
tripelennamine, and triprolidine), or to phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine,
or other adrenergic agents (such as albuterol, amphetamines, ephedrine,
epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, norepinephrine, pseudoephedrine,
and terbutaline).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had diabetes
mellitus, epilepsy, glaucoma, heart or blood vessel disease, hiatal hernia,
high blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, obstructed bladder or intestinal
tract, peptic ulcers, enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
     * Because this drug can reduce sweating and heat release from the body,
avoid excessive work and exercise in hot weather, and do not take hot baths,
showers, and saunas.
     * This medication can cause drowsiness.  Your ability to perform tasks
that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially
dangerous machinery, may be decreased.  Appropriate caution should, therefore,
be taken.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The effects of this
medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans.  Also,
tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of this
medication pass into breast milk and may cause unusual excitement or
irritability in nursing infants.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
