Brompheniramine
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| Trade names | Bromfed, Dimetapp, Bromfenex, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a682545 |
| Routes of administration | By mouth |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Metabolism | Liver |
| Elimination half-life | 24.9 ± 9.3 hours[2] |
| Excretion | Kidney |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.001.507 Edit this at Wikidata |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C16H19BrN2 |
| Molar mass | 319.246 g·mol−1 |
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Brompheniramine, sold under the brand name Dimetapp among others, is a first-generation antihistamine drug of the propylamine (alkylamine) class.[3] It is indicated for the treatment of the symptoms of the common cold and allergic rhinitis, such as runny nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and sneezing. Like the other first-generation drugs of its class, it is considered a sedating antihistamine.[3]
It was patented in 1948 and came into medical use in 1955.[4] In 2023, the combination with dextromethorphan and pseudoephedrine was the 281st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 700,000 prescriptions.[5] [6]
Side effects
[edit ]Brompheniramine's effects on the cholinergic system may include side-effects such as drowsiness, sedation, dry mouth, dry throat, blurred vision, and increased heart rate. It is listed as one of the drugs of highest anticholinergic activity in a study of anticholinergic burden, including long-term cognitive impairment.[7]
Pharmacology
[edit ]Brompheniramine works by acting as an antagonist of histamine H1 receptors. It also functions as a moderately effective anticholinergic agent, and is likely an antimuscarinic agent[8] similar to other common antihistamines such as diphenhydramine.
Brompheniramine is metabolised by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes in the liver.[8]
Chemistry
[edit ]Brompheniramine is part of a series of antihistamines including pheniramine (Naphcon) and its halogenated derivatives and others including fluorpheniramine, chlorpheniramine, dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine), triprolidine (Actifed), and iodopheniramine. The halogenated alkylamine antihistamines all exhibit optical isomerism; brompheniramine products contain racemic brompheniramine maleate, whereas dexbrompheniramine (Drixoral) is the dextrorotary (right-handed) stereoisomer.[3] [9]
Brompheniramine is an analog of chlorpheniramine. The only difference is that the chlorine atom in the benzene ring is replaced with a bromine atom. It is also synthesized in an analogous manner.[10] [11]
History
[edit ]Arvid Carlsson and his colleagues, working at the Swedish company Astra AB, were able to derive the first marketed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, zimelidine, from brompheniramine.[12]
Names
[edit ]Brand names include Bromfed, Dimetapp, Bromfenex, Dimetane, and Lodrane. All bromphemiramine preparations are marketed as the maleate salt.[3]
References
[edit ]- ^ "Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard— June 2025) Instrument 2025" (pdf). Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). May 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ^ Simons FE, Frith EM, Simons KJ (December 1982). "The pharmacokinetics and antihistaminic effects of brompheniramine". The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 70 (6): 458–64. doi:10.1016/0091-6749(82)90009-4 . PMID 6128358.
- ^ a b c d Sweetman SC, ed. (2005). Martindale: the complete drug reference (34th ed.). London: Pharmaceutical Press. p. 569–70. ISBN 0-85369-550-4. OCLC 56903116.
- ^ Fischer J, Ganellin CR (2006). Analogue-based Drug Discovery. John Wiley & Sons. p. 546. ISBN 9783527607495.
- ^ "The Top 300 of 2023". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 17 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Brompheniramine; Dextromethorphan; Pseudoephedrine Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2014 - 2023". ClinCalc. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ Salahudeen MS, Duffull SB, Nishtala PS (March 2015). "Anticholinergic burden quantified by anticholinergic risk scales and adverse outcomes in older people: a systematic review". BMC Geriatrics. 15 (31) 31. doi:10.1186/s12877-015-0029-9 . PMC 4377853 . PMID 25879993.
- ^ a b "Diphenhydramine: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action". DrugBank Online. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ Troy DB, Beringer P (2006). Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 1546–8. ISBN 9780781746731.
- ^ US 3061517, Walter LA, issued 1962.
- ^ US 3030371, Walter LA, issued 1962.
- ^ Barondes SH (2003). Better Than Prozac . New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 39–40. ISBN 0-19-515130-5.
