Key takeaways

  • Brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine is an oral syrup used to treat upper respiratory symptoms, such as nasal congestion, caused by allergies or the common cold.
  • More common side effects of the drug include drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth, nose, and throat.
  • Brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine is typically taken every 4 hours. But the doses vary depending on the age of the person the medication is prescribed for.

Brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine oral syrup is a prescription drug that’s available as the brand-name drug Bromfed DM. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in the same strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.

Brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine only comes as a syrup you take by mouth.

This drug is a combination of three drugs in a single form. It contains brompheniramine, pseudoephedrine, and dextromethorphan. It’s important to know about all the drugs in the combination because each drug may affect you in a different way.

This drug is used to treat upper respiratory symptoms due to allergies or the common cold. These include nasal congestion and cough.

This drug may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.

How it works

Each of the three drugs in this medication belongs to a different class of drugs:

  • Brompheniramine belongs to a class called antihistamines.
  • Dextromethorphan belongs to a class called antitussives.
  • Pseudoephedrine belongs to a class called vasoconstrictors.

A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Brompheniramine and pseudoephedrine work by tightening the blood vessels in your nose. This causes less mucus production and dries out your nose. Dextromethorphan works to decrease your body’s cough reflex. These drugs work together to help relieve your cold or allergy symptoms.

Brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine oral syrup can cause several kinds of side effects, including drowsiness. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do other activities that require alertness until you know how this drug affects you.

Like most drugs, brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine may cause mild to serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the more common side effects this drug may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

More common side effects

Here’s a list of some of the more common side effects that brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read the drug’s prescribing information.

Some of the more common side effects that can occur with use of this drug include:

  • drowsiness
  • dry mouth, nose, and throat
  • thick lung mucus
  • dizziness

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects can include the following:

Allergic reaction

For some people, brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue treatment with brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine oral syrup can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below is a list of medications that can interact with brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Taking dextromethorphan, one of the ingredients in this drug, with medications called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can cause fever and low blood pressure. Taking them together may even be fatal (cause death). MAOIs can also increase the effects of brompheniramine and dextromethorphan, the two other drugs in this combination. You should not take brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine while taking an MAOI.

Examples of MAOIs include:

  • tranylcypromine (Parnate)
  • phenelzine (Nardil)
  • isocarboxazid (Marplan)
  • selegiline (Eldepryl)
  • rasagiline (Azilect)

Anxiety drugs

Brompheniramine, one of the ingredients in this drug, may cause drowsiness. Taking this medication with other drugs that cause drowsiness raises your risk of drowsiness. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do other activities that require alertness if you need to take this drug with certain anxiety drugs.

Examples of these drugs include:

Insomnia drugs

Brompheniramine, one of the ingredients in this drug, may cause drowsiness. Taking this medication with other drugs that cause drowsiness raises your risk of drowsiness. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do other activities that require alertness if you need to take this drug with certain drugs used to help you sleep.

Examples of these drugs include:

Blood pressure drugs

Pseudoephedrine, one of the ingredients in this drug, may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure drugs. This may increase your blood pressure. Examples of these blood pressure drugs include:

The following is important information to consider and discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine.

Alcohol

The use of drinks that contain alcohol can increase your risk of drowsiness from brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before taking this drug.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with asthma: Brompheniramine, one of the ingredients in this drug, can cause the mucus in your lungs to thicken. This can make it harder to breathe. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with narrow-angle glaucoma: Brompheniramine, one of the ingredients in this drug, may increase the pressure in your eye and worsen your glaucoma. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with stomach or intestinal blockage: Brompheniramine, one of the ingredients in this drug, can slow down the movement of your stomach and intestines. This can make a blockage worse. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with urinary bladder neck blockage: Brompheniramine, one of the ingredients in this drug, can make urine flow problems worse. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with diabetes: Pseudoephedrine, one of the ingredients in this drug, can increase your blood sugar. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with high blood pressure: Pseudoephedrine, one of the ingredients in this drug, can increase blood pressure. You should not use this drug if you have very high blood pressure. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with heart disease: You should not use pseudoephedrine, one of the ingredients in this drug, if you have severe heart disease. This drug can increase your blood pressure, heart rate, and the force that your heart uses to beat. This increases your risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with thyroid disease: You should not use pseudoephedrine, one of the ingredients in this drug, if you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). This drug can increase your blood pressure, heart rate, and the force that your heart uses to beat. Hyperthyroidism also increases these effects on your heart. Using this drug increases your risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant people: It’s not known whether brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this drug.

For people who are breastfeeding: This drug may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you breastfeed. This drug should not be used in people who are breastfeeding.

For older adults: Older adults may process this drug more slowly. A typical adult dose may cause levels of the drug to be higher than usual in your body. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose or different dosing schedule.

For children: The safety and effectiveness of this drug in children younger than 6 months of age have not been established.

This dosage information is for brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine oral syrup. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • how severe your condition is
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine is available as an oral syrup. It comes in one strength of 2 milligrams (mg) brompheniramine/30 mg pseudoephedrine/10 mg dextromethorphan per 5 milliliters (mL).

Dosage for symptoms caused by allergies or the common cold

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.

Keep reading to learn more.

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

10 mL once every 4 hours

Child dosage (ages 12 to 17 years)

10 mL once every 4 hours

Child dosage (ages 6 to 11 years)

5 mL once every 4 hours

Child dosage (ages 2 to 5 years)

2.5 mL once every 4 hours.

Child dosage (ages 6 months to 1 year)

Your child’s doctor will determine a dosage that’s right for them.

Older adult dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of the drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases the risk of side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up in your body.

Warnings

Do not take more than six doses during a 24-hour period.

Brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine is used for short-term treatment. It comes with risks if you do not take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking the drug or don’t take it at all: Your cough, cold, or allergy symptoms won’t get better.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. You could have symptoms such as seizures or hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that’s not there).

Taking too much of this drug in infants or small children could be fatal (cause death). They may also be more likely than adults to have hallucinations and seizures. (This drug is not approved for use in children younger than 6 months of age.)

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose. Do not try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.

How to tell if the drug is working: You should have fewer cough, cold, or allergy symptoms.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine. What you’ll pay for this drug may depend on several factors, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

To find out your cost for brompheniramine/dextromethorphan/pseudoephedrine, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. This section also has information about how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes this drug for you.

General

  • You can take this drug with or without food
  • Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.

Storage

  • Store this drug at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). Keep it away from high temperatures.
  • Do not store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.
  • Store this drug in its original container to protect it from light. Keep the container tightly closed.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t affect your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
  • Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues, including your heart rate and blood pressure. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug.

Sun sensitivity

This drug may make you more sensitive to the sun. You should avoid tanning beds while taking this medication. Limit the amount of time you spend in the sun if you can. If you plan to be in the sun for a long time, you should protect yourself by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk with your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.