Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM

Treating Allergy with Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM

by

Before we can know in detail about the Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM, we should know a little about the purpose it is used for. It is used to help with cold and cough and also for the allergy. Getting an allergy during a certain time of the year is something that we all fear a lot. Especially the people who are allergic to almost everything. But the type of allergy we are talking about is the cold that happens to almost every one of us in the winter season.

It is also known as the hay fever. Some of the people have the severe type of allergies from the pollen in the pollen season and some in the winter season. Some people confuse such allergic reactions and cold with the bacterial and viral infections. Without a proper doctor checkup it can’t be made sure if that person have an infection, allergy or cold. But with people who periodically suffer from the cold will know that they are getting the cold. For that the over the counter medications for the symptomatic treatment is available and the cold then goes away slowly.

The symptomatic treatment may speed up the process of healing. A lot of different medications are being used for the purpose of the relieving the cold allergy and other such symptoms. For this purpose, the medication that is used mostly is the Bromophenir Pseudoephed DM. It  does a great job of treating the symptoms of a cough and cold or other allergies.

Ingredients of the Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM

The ingredients of Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine, and Dextromethorphan (often abbreviated as Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM) typically include:

  1. Brompheniramine Maleate: An antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold.
  2. Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride: A decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages, reducing nasal congestion.
  3. Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide: A cough suppressant that affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

These active ingredients are usually combined with inactive ingredients (excipients) like:

  • Citric acid
  • Sodium benzoate
  • Saccharin sodium
  • Artificial flavors
  • Coloring agents (like FD&C Yellow No. 6)
  • Glycerin
  • Propylene glycol
  • Purified water

Always refer to the packaging or consult a pharmacist for the most accurate and up-to-date ingredient list for a specific brand or formulation.

Indications for Use

Allergies:

  • Symptoms: Allergies can lead to bothersome symptoms such as coughing, a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes.
  • How Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM Helps: This medication contains brompheniramine, an antihistamine. It works by blocking histamine, which is responsible for these allergic reactions. By doing so, it alleviates the discomfort caused by allergies.

Common Cold and Flu

Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM is a good cold medicine. You may find it in both tablet and syrup form.

  • Symptoms: The common cold and flu often bring along a host of unpleasant symptoms, including coughing, nasal congestion, and sneezing.
  • How Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM Helps: The combination of dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) in this medication provides relief. Dextromethorphan helps suppress the cough reflex, while pseudoephedrine shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages, reducing congestion.

Not for Smoking-Related Coughs, Asthma, or Emphysema:

  • Smoking-Related Coughs: If your cough is due to smoking, Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM won’t be effective.
  • Asthma and Emphysema: Similarly, it’s not suitable for treating coughs associated with asthma or emphysema.

Combination medicine Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM

Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM is a combination medicine used for the treatment of the cold cough allergy, rhinitis, and sinusitis. The Dextromethorphan helps with the cough relief. The other antihistamines help with the allergic reactions and stop a runny nose and also the decongestion of the nose is caused by these drugs.

The dosage of this combination is given as recommended on the packaging of the medication. The dosage for the adults and the children are different when it comes to this combination. This is why this combination comes in different dosages for adults and toddlers too. Overall, its good cough syrup for kids and adults.

Side effects of Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM

There are a lot of side effects of different medicines and side effects are one of the things that you cannot avoid at all. The same is the case with the Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM. Most of the symptoms are the CNS related. So, we can summarize the symptoms as,

  1. Common Side Effects:
    • Dizziness
    • Drowsiness
    • Coughing up thick mucus
    • Restlessness or excitement (especially in children)
    • Dry mouth, nose, or throat
  2. Serious Side Effects (Rare): Although uncommon, some people may experience severe side effects. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following:
    • Signs of an allergic reaction (rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)
    • Wheezing, chest tightness, or trouble breathing
    • Unusual hoarseness
    • Mental/mood changes (such as confusion or hallucinations)
    • Ringing in the ears
    • Shaking
  3. Other Possible Side Effects:
    • Feeling nervous and excitable
    • Trouble sleeping
    • Feeling excessively sleepy
    • Thickening of mucus in the nose or throat

Methylphenidate Side Effects

Like any medication, it can have side effects. Let’s explore them:

  1. Common Side Effects:
    • Sweating: Some individuals may experience increased sweating while taking methylphenidate.
    • Increased Blood Pressure: It can lead to elevated blood pressure.
    • Mood Changes: Anxiety, nervousness, or irritability might occur.
    • Sleep Disturbances: Trouble sleeping or changes in sleep patterns.
    • Fast Heart Rate: You may notice a rapid heartbeat or fluttering in your chest.
    • Appetite Changes: Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss.
    • Dry Mouth: A common side effect.
    • Nausea and Vomiting: Some people may experience stomach discomfort.
    • Headache and Dizziness: These symptoms can occur.
  2. Less Common Side Effects:
    • Chest Pain
    • Fever
    • Joint Pain
    • Skin Rash or Hives
  3. Rare Side Effects:
    • Black, Tarry Stools
    • Blood in the Urine or Stools

Precautions you can take while using the Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM

When using Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM, it is essential to take certain precautions to ensure safe and effective use:

1. Consult with a Healthcare Provider

  • Pre-existing Conditions: If you have conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, glaucoma, or prostate enlargement, consult your doctor before using this medication.
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, seek advice from your healthcare provider before taking this medication, as it may not be safe for use during these periods.

2. Avoid Alcohol

  • Increased Side Effects: Alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by Brompheniramine and may also interact with Dextromethorphan, leading to enhanced side effects like dizziness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.

3. Be Cautious with Activities Requiring Alertness

  • Drowsiness and Dizziness: The antihistamine in this medication can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, or performing tasks that require alertness until you know how the medication affects you.

4. Check for Drug Interactions

  • MAO Inhibitors: Do not use this medication if you are taking or have recently taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) as this can cause dangerous drug interactions.
  • Other Medications: Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking, especially other cough and cold medicines, as they may contain similar ingredients and increase the risk of side effects.

5. Use as Directed

  • Dosage: Follow the dosing instructions on the label or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not exceed the recommended dose, as overuse can lead to serious side effects.
  • Children: Be cautious when giving this medication to children. Some formulations are not suitable for young children, and improper dosing can be harmful.

6. Stay Hydrated

  • Dry Mouth and Throat: Brompheniramine can cause dry mouth or throat, so drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and help thin mucus.

7. Monitor Side Effects

  • Common Side Effects: Be aware of common side effects like dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, and upset stomach. If these persist or worsen, consult your doctor.
  • Serious Side Effects: Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe side effects like difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, confusion, hallucinations, or severe dizziness.

8. Avoid Overuse

  • Duration of Use: This medication is typically used for short-term relief of symptoms. Prolonged use can lead to side effects or dependence on the decongestant component.

9. Storage

  • Proper Storage: Store the medication in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children.

Taking these precautions can help minimize the risks associated with using Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM and ensure that the medication is effective in managing your symptoms.

Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM Drug Interactions

Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM can interact with other medications, so it’s essential to be aware of potential interactions. Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Known Drug Interactions:
    • There are 544 drugs known to interact with Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM (brompheniramine / dextromethorphan / pseudoephedrine).
    • These interactions include 85 major, 451 moderate, and 8 minor interactions.
    • Some common medications that may interact with Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM include:
      • Albuterol
      • Amoxicillin
      • Aspirin
      • Azithromycin
      • Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
      • Cetirizine
      • Doxycycline
      • Ibuprofen
      • Prednisone
      • Tizanidine
      • Tramadol
      • Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
      • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
      • Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
      • Zyrtec (cetirizine).
  2. Disease Interactions:
    • Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM can interact with certain health conditions. These include:
      • Cardiovascular disease
      • Anticholinergic effects
      • Asthma/COPD
      • Cardiovascular, renal, or liver disease
      • GI narrowing
      • Phenylketonuria (PKU)
      • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
      • Diabetes
      • Glaucoma.
  3. Alcohol/Food Interactions:
    • There are 2 alcohol/food interactions with Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM. It’s essential to be cautious when combining this medication with alcohol or certain foods.

Abusive use

Since some ingredients of the Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM causes the nervous system to get depressed and induce sleep. Some of them cause the wakefulness so they may be exploited for the wrong reasons. Sbusive use with these medications is getting higher and higher. The PSE present in combination or alone in medication have a great potential for abuse.

DM is a good cough suppressant and it is also used abusively. While previously a narcotic drug known as codeine was being used. It was then banned and is now sold as a controlled drug for the suppression of a cough. The reason behind this is that people used to get high on it a lot.

So, these are all the symptoms and the side effects that you need to know about the Bromphenir Pseudoephed DM. Only by having complete information about this, you will be able to make an informed decision.

Leave a Comment