Home Drug Guide Brompheniramine Maleate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Brompheniramine Maleate

Brand Names Dimetane, Dimetane-T, Veltane

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihistamine, first-generation

Pharmacological: H1 antihistamine

FDA Approved Indications

  • Relief of allergy symptoms such as hay fever, allergic rhinitis, urticaria

Mechanism of Action

Brompheniramine maleate blocks H1 histamine receptors, preventing allergic mediator effects and reducing allergy symptoms.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 12 mg per day in divided doses; dosage varies based on condition.

Pediatric: Dose is usually 6 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, not exceeding 24 mg in 24 hours.

Geriatric: Start with lower doses due to increased sensitivity and side effect risk.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dosage accordingly; consult specific guidelines.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific guidelines, monitor for adverse effects.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Partially metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted mainly in urine.

Half Life: Approx. 14-24 hours.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to brompheniramine or other antihistamines.
  • Use cautiously in patients with asthma, urinary retention, glaucoma, or cardiovascular disease.

Precautions

  • May cause drowsiness; caution when operating machinery.
  • Use in pregnancy/lactation should be under medical supervision.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Drowsiness (Common)
  • Dizziness (Sometimes)
  • Dry mouth (Common)
  • Blurred vision (Sometimes)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Anticholinergic effects (urinary retention, constipation) (Rare)
  • Hypotension or tachycardia (Rare)
  • Allergic reactions (rash, anaphylaxis) (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, sedatives) increase drowsiness.
  • MAO inhibitors may enhance anticholinergic effects.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for drowsiness, anticholinergic effects, and allergy symptom relief.

Diagnoses:

  • Impaired gas exchange related to sedation or anticholinergic effects.
  • Risk for injury due to drowsiness.

Implementation: Administer with meals to minimize GI upset; avoid alcohol and CNS depressants.

Evaluation: Assess symptom relief and adverse effects regularly.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Instruct to avoid alcohol and operating heavy machinery.
  • Warn about drowsiness and other anticholinergic effects.
  • Advise to report adverse reactions or lack of symptom control.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None for this medication.

Genetic Factors: None known.

Lab Test Interference: None reported.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe agitation, hallucinations, seizures, coma, dry mouth, confusion.

Treatment: Supportive care, activated charcoal if ingestion was recent, and management of symptoms; no specific antidote.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.