brompheniramine and diphenhydramine

Generic name: brompheniramine and diphenhydramine [ BROM-fen-IR-a-meen-and-DYE-fen-HYE-dra-meen ]
Brand name: Ala-Hist
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

What is brompheniramine and diphenhydramine?

Brompheniramine and diphenhydramine are antihistamines that reduce the effects of the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

The combination of brompheniramine and diphenhydramine is used to treat runny nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Brompheniramine and diphenhydramine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about brompheniramine and diphenhydramine?

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

You should not use this medication if you have severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or if you are unable to urinate.

Do not use this medicine if you have untreated or uncontrolled diseases such as glaucoma, asthma or COPD, heart disease, or overactive thyroid.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking brompheniramine and diphenhydramine?

You should not use this medication if you have severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or if you are unable to urinate.

Do not use this medicine if you have untreated or uncontrolled diseases such as glaucoma, asthma or COPD, heart disease, or overactive thyroid.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medication if you have:

• a colostomy or ileostomy;

• liver or kidney disease;

• cough with mucus, or cough caused by smoking, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis;

• enlarged prostate or urination problems;

• low blood pressure; or

• if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether brompheniramine and diphenhydramine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use cough or cold medicine without medical advice if you are pregnant.

This medicine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines may also slow breast milk production. Do not use cough or cold medicine without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take brompheniramine and diphenhydramine?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not take for longer than 7 days in a row. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache or skin rash.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is taken when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.

What should I avoid while taking brompheniramine and diphenhydramine?

This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of brompheniramine and diphenhydramine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, cough, or sleep medicine. Brompheniramine and diphenhydramine are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains brompheniramine or diphenhydramine.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Brompheniramine and diphenhydramine can decrease sweating and you may be more prone to heat stroke.

Brompheniramine and diphenhydramine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast or uneven heart rate;

• mood changes;

• tremor, seizure (convulsions);

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• feeling short of breath; or

• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• dry mouth, nose, or throat;

• constipation;

• blurred vision; or

• feeling nervous or restless.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Brompheniramine and diphenhydramine dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

Brompheniramine-diphenhydramine 6 mg-25 mg oral tablet, extended release:
1 to 2 tablets orally every 12 hours not to exceed 4 tablets daily.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

Brompheniramine-diphenhydramine 6 mg-25 mg oral tablet, extended release:
6 to 11 years: 0.5 to 1 tablet orally every 12 hours not to exceed 2 tablets daily.
12 years or older: 1 to 2 tablets orally every 12 hours not to exceed 4 tablets daily.

What other drugs will affect brompheniramine and diphenhydramine?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as narcotic pain medication, sedatives, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by brompheniramine and diphenhydramine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take brompheniramine and diphenhydramine if you are also using any of the following drugs:

• atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine);

• benztropine (Cogentin);

• diphenhydramine (Benadryl) applied to the skin;

• topiramate (Topamax);

• zonisamide (Zonegran);

• anti-nausea medications such as belladonna (Donnatal), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), droperidol (Inapsine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm Scop);

• bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), solifenacin (Vesicare), tolterodine (Detrol), or Urogesic Blue;

• bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);

• irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Hyomax), or propantheline (Pro Banthine); or

• ulcer medicine such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul) or mepenzolate (Cantil).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with brompheniramine and diphenhydramine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.03. Revision Date: 2012-02-27, 1:39:04 PM.