Dimetane : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More
Why is this medication prescribed?
Dimetane (Brompheniramine) relieves red, irritated, itchy, and watery eyes; sneezing and runny nose caused by allergies, hay fever, and the common cold. Dimetane helps control symptoms, but it does not treat the cause of symptoms or speed recovery. Dimetane should not be used to cause drowsiness in children. Dimetane is in a class of medications called antihistamines. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms.
How should this medicine be used?
Dimetane (Brompheniramine) comes in combination with other cough and cold medications as a chewable tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) capsule, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and a liquid to take by mouth. The chewable tablet and liquid are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours as needed. The extended-release tablets and capsules are usually taken every 8 to 12 hours as needed. Follow the directions on the package label or your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Take Dimetane exactly as directed. Do not take more or less, or take it more often than directed on the package label or prescribed by your doctor.
Dimetane comes in combination with other cough and cold medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which product is best for your symptoms. Check the labels of non-prescription cough and cold products carefully before taking two or more products at the same time. These products may contain the same active ingredient (s) and taking them together could cause you to overdose. This is especially important if you are giving cough and cold medicine to a child.
Over-the-counter cough and cold products, including products containing Dimetane, can cause serious side effects or death in young children. Do not give these products to children under 6 years of age. If you give these products to children 6 to 11 years of age, use caution and follow package directions carefully.
If you are giving a product containing Dimetane to a child, read the package label carefully to make sure it is the right product for a child of that age. Do not give Dimetane products made for adults to children.
Before giving a Dimetane product to a child, check the package label to see how much medicine the child should receive. Give the dose that matches the child’s age in the table. Ask your child’s doctor if you don’t know how much medicine to give.
If you are drinking the liquid, do not use a homemade spoon to measure your dose. Use the measuring spoon or cup that came with the medicine, or use a spoon made especially for measuring medicine.
If you are taking the extended-release tablets or capsules, swallow them whole; do not crush, break, or chew them.
Stop taking Dimetane and call your doctor if your symptoms last longer than 7 days or if you have a fever.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Dimetane,
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Dimetane, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Dimetane preparations. Check the package label for a list of ingredients.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: medications for colds, hay fever, or allergies; medications for depression or seizures; monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); muscle relaxants; narcotic pain medication; sedative sleeping pills; and tranquilizers.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or other breathing problems; glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision); ulcers; difficulty urinating (due to an enlarged prostate); heart disease; hypertension; seizures or an overactive thyroid gland.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Dimetane, call your doctor.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Dimetane.
- You should know that this medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while taking Dimetane. Alcohol can make the side effects of Dimetane worse.
- Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Dimetane if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults generally should not take Dimetane because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Dimetane is usually taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take Dimetane regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Dimetane may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- drowsiness
- dry mouth, nose, and throat
- nausea
- headache
- chest congestion
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- vision problems
- difficulty urinating
Dimetane may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medicine in the original container, tightly closed and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, as many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure they cannot be consumed by pets, children, and others. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA Safe Drug Disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or is unable to wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.
What other information should I know?
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about Dimetane.
It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.
Brand Names
- Ala-Hist® IR
- Dimetane®
- Disomer®
- J-Tan®
- Veltane®
Disclaimer: We have made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.