$Unique_ID{BRK01856}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{BROMPHENIRAMINE}
$Subject{Bromphen (various manufacturers) brompheniramine maleate (various 
manufacturers) Diamine T.D. (Major) Dimetane (Robins) Dimetane Extentabs 
(Robins) Veltane (Lannett)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


BROMPHENIRAMINE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Bromphen (various manufacturers)
     brompheniramine maleate (various manufacturers)
     Diamine T.D. (Major)
     Dimetane [*] (Robins)
     Dimetane Extentabs [*] (Robins)
     Veltane (Lannett)
  *  Available over-the-counter (without a prescription)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Antihistamine
INGREDIENT:
     brompheniramine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (4 mg)
     Sustained-release tablets (8 mg and 12 mg)
     Oral elixir (2 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 3% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     Brompheniramine tablets and oral elixir should be stored at room
       temperature in tightly closed containers.

USES

     This medication belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines
(antihistamines block the action of histamine, a chemical that is released by
the body during an allergic reaction).  Brompheniramine is used to treat or
prevent symptoms of allergy.

TREATMENT

     Stomach upset may occur with the use of this medicine.  To avoid this
side effect, you can take brompheniramine with food or with a full glass of
milk or water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     The elixir form 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 them destroys their sustained-release activity and may
increase side effects.
     If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it
is almost time for your next dose.  In that case, don't take the missed dose
at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next
dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision; confusion; constipation; diarrhea; difficult or painful
urination; dizziness; dry mouth, throat, or nose; headache; irritability; loss
of appetite; nausea; restlessness; ringing or buzzing in the ears; stomach
upset; or unusual increase in sweating.  These side effects should disappear
as your body adjusts to the medication.
     This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.  It is,
therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor tells you not to do so.)
     Chew sugarless gum, or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
a change in menstruation, clumsiness, feeling faint, flushing of the face,
hallucinations, palpitations, rash, seizures, shortness of breath, sleeping
disorders, sore throat or fever, tightness in the chest, unusual bleeding or
bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     Brompheniramine interacts with several other drugs:
     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) 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. Brompheniramine can decrease the activity of oral anticoagulants
(blood thinners, such as warfarin).
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
medications, especially to brompheniramine or to any other antihistamine (such
as carbinoxamine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine,
dexchlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, dimethindene, diphenhydramine,
diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, hydroxyzine, promethazine, pyrilamine,
terfenadine, trimeprazine, tripelennamine, and triprolidine).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma, blood
vessel disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, kidney disease, peptic ulcers,
enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
     * Brompheniramine can cause drowsiness or dizziness.  Your ability to
perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery, may be decreased.  Appropriate caution should
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
brompheniramine 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.
