What patient education should be provided when prescribing Bromfed (brompheniramine)

Patient Education for Bromfed (Brompheniramine)

Patients taking Bromfed must be warned not to drive or operate dangerous machinery due to significant sedation and impairment of mental alertness, and they should avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants that can dangerously amplify these effects. 1

Critical Safety Warnings

Activities Requiring Mental Alertness

• Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery while taking this medication 1
• Brompheniramine causes measurable impairment of visuo-motor coordination that begins within 30 minutes and persists for 3-5 hours after each dose 2
• Performance impairment occurs even though patients may not subjectively feel drowsy or impaired 2

Drug and Alcohol Interactions

• Completely avoid alcohol while taking Bromfed, as antihistamines have additive effects with alcohol that can cause dangerous sedation 1
• Avoid other CNS depressants including sleeping pills, sedatives, tranquilizers, and anti-anxiety medications unless specifically approved by your prescriber 1
• Never take this medication if you are on MAO inhibitors (certain antidepressants), as this combination can cause life-threatening reactions including hyperpyrexia, hypotension, and death 1

Medication Administration

Timing and Dosing

• Take exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider 1
• For children under 6 months, this medication should not be used as safety has not been established 1
• Elderly patients require lower doses due to increased risk of dizziness, sedation, and low blood pressure 1

What to Expect

• The medication begins working within 30 minutes to 1 hour 3, 2
• Peak effects occur around 3 hours after taking the dose 3
• Effects last approximately 12-24 hours depending on the formulation 3

Medical Conditions Requiring Caution

Inform your doctor before taking Bromfed if you have any of these conditions:

• Asthma or other breathing problems 1
• Glaucoma (narrow angle type) 1
• Stomach or intestinal blockage 1
• Difficulty urinating or enlarged prostate 1
• Diabetes 1
• High blood pressure 1
• Heart disease 1
• Thyroid disease 1

Common and Serious Side Effects

Expected Side Effects

• Drowsiness and sedation are common and expected 1, 2
• Dry mouth, nose, and throat due to anticholinergic effects 1
• Dizziness, particularly in elderly patients 1

When to Contact Your Doctor

• If you experience confusion (more common in elderly patients) 1
• If you develop difficulty urinating 1
• If you experience worsening of breathing problems 1
• If blood pressure medications seem less effective (sympathomimetic component may reduce their effects) 1

Special Populations

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Do not use if breastfeeding - this medication is contraindicated in nursing mothers due to higher risk of adverse effects in infants, especially newborns 1
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as this medication should only be used if clearly needed 1

Elderly Patients

• You are at higher risk for dizziness, sedation, and low blood pressure 1
• You are more likely to experience adverse reactions to the sympathomimetic component 1
• Your doctor should start you at the lowest effective dose 1

Medication Storage and Disposal

• Store in a secure location away from children 4
• Dispose of unused medication properly - do not keep "just in case" for future use 4
• Ask your pharmacist about medication take-back programs or proper disposal methods 4

Important Reminders

• Report all new medications to your doctor or pharmacist, as Bromfed interacts with many drugs 1
• Do not share this medication with others, even if they have similar symptoms 4
• Complete the prescribed course as directed by your healthcare provider 4
• Contact your doctor if symptoms do not improve or worsen despite treatment 4