Dibrom
Generic Name: brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine (brome feh NEER a meen/fen ill proe pa NO la meen)
Brand Names: Altatapp, Dibrom, Dibromm, Dimaphen, Dimetapp, Myphetapp
What is Dibrom (brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine)?
Brompheniramine is an antihistamine. It works against the naturally occurring chemical
histamine in your body. Brompheniramine prevents sneezing; itchy, watery eyes and nose; and other
symptoms of allergies and hay fever.
Phenylpropanolamine is a decongestant. It constricts (shrinks) blood vessels (veins and
arteries). This reduces the blood flow to certain areas and allows nasal passages to open up.
Brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine is used to treat nasal congestion and sinusitis
(inflammation of the sinuses) associated with allergies, hay fever, and the common cold.
Phenylpropanolamine, an ingredient in this product, has been associated with an increased
risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in women.
Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is low, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers not use any products that contain
phenylpropanolamine.
Brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about
Dibrom (brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine)?
Phenylpropanolamine, an ingredient in this product, has been associated with an increased
risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in women.
Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is low, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers not use any products that contain
phenylpropanolamine.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you
experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. If your symptoms do not improve,
or if they worsen, talk to your doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
Dibrom (brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine)?
Do not take brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side
effects.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
-
kidney disease,
-
liver disease,
-
diabetes,
-
glaucoma,
-
any type of heart disease or high blood pressure,
-
thyroid disease,
-
emphysema or chronic bronchitis, or
-
difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate.
You may not be able to take brompheniramine and
phenylpropanolamine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This
means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to
your doctor if you are pregnant.
This medication passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take this
medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from
brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine. You may require a lower dose of this medication.
Read the package label for directions or consult your doctor or pharmacist before
treating a child with this medication. Children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of
medicines and may have unusual reactions.
How should I take Dibrom (brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine)?
Take brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine exactly as directed. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, or break the long-acting or sustained-release forms of this
medication. Swallow them whole. If you are unsure about the formulation of the medicine, ask your
pharmacist for help.
If you cannot swallow the tablets or capsules, look for a liquid form of the medication.
To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of brompheniramine and
phenylpropanolamine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If
you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of this
medication can cause serious harm.
Do not take brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine for longer than 7 days in a row. If
your symptoms do not improve, if they get worse, or if you have a fever, talk to your doctor.
Store brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine at room temperature away from
moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not
take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine overdose include a dry mouth,
large pupils, flushing, nausea, and vomiting.
What should I avoid while taking Dibrom (brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine)?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you
experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine.
Brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine may increase the effects of other drugs that
cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness
may occur if brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine is taken with any of these medications.
Dibrom (brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine) side effects
Serious side effects are unlikely to occur. Stop taking brompheniramine and
phenylpropanolamine and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction
(difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take
brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine and talk to your doctor or try another similar
medication if you experience
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Dibrom (brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine)?
Do not take brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side
effects.
Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, or sleep aids while taking
brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Other medications may also contain brompheniramine, phenylpropanolamine, or other similar
drugs. You may accidentally take too much of these medicines.
Brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine may increase the effects of other drugs that
cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness
may occur if brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine is taken with any of these medications.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with brompheniramine and
phenylpropanolamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about brompheniramine and
phenylpropanolamine written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Many formulations of brompheniramine and phenylpropanolamine are available both
over-the-counter and with a prescription. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this
medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
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.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date,
and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has
been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses
outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs,
diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare
practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the
expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in
no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum
does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic
reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.02. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:04:05 PM.
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