brompheniramine phenylephrine

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum: 

brompheniramine works by eliciting high anti-allergic activity. It also shows low sedation and optimum anticholinergic effect. 

phenylephrine acts as a decongestant and vasoconstrictor. It collapses the swollen membranes, thereby reducing tissue hyperemia and nasal congestion.

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined 

Dizziness 

Anxiety 

Nervousness 

Headache 

Restlessness 

Reflex bradycardia 

Hypertension 

Rebound congestion 

Stomach upset 

Constipation 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning: 

None 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindications 

• Hypersensitivity 
• Hypertension 

Cautions 

• Not recommended for anemia due to chemotherapy 
• Pruritis 
• Urticaria 
• Not a substitute for RBC transfusion 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration:  

Category C. The drug is contraindicated during 1st trimester and last 14 days of pregnancy. 

Breastfeeding warnings:  

The drug is contraindicated during lactation. 

Pregnancy category: 

Category A: well-controlled and satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester. 

Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women. 

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.    

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: No data is available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology:  

brompheniramine is an antihistamine drug that blocks the effects of histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions. It acts as a competitive antagonist at histamine H1 receptors, preventing histamine from binding to and activating these receptors. 

phenylephrine is a sympathomimetic drug that acts as a selective alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist. It stimulates the alpha-1 adrenergic receptors on blood vessels, causing vasoconstriction (narrowing blood vessels) and reducing nasal congestion.  

Pharmacodynamics: 

Pharmacodynamics includes receptor interactions, enzyme interactions, signal transduction pathways, and dose-response relationships. 

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

The onset takes place in 15-30 min  

The duration of action is achieved in 3-9 hours (brompheniramine) and 2-4 hours (phenylephrine) 

The peak plasma concentration is attained in 2-5 hr (brompheniramine) 

Distribution 

The volume of distribution is 11.7 L/kg 

Metabolism 

MAO inhibitors metabolize brompheniramine in the liver and phenylephrine in the intestine. 

Elimination and Excretion 

The half-life is 11.8-34.7 hours and is excreted in the urine 

Adminstartion

Administration: 

brompheniramine and phenylephrine are administered through the oral route. It is provided in oral solutions, elixirs, suspension, and chewable tablets. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: brompheniramine/phenylephrine 

Pronounced: BROM-fen-IR-a-meen-and-FEN-il-EFF-rin 

Why do we use brompheniramine/phenylephrine?  

brompheniramine/phenylephrine is a nasal decongestant used to relieve respiratory tract congestion, rhinitis, and allergic rhinitis.