Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough

Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough is an over the counter medication used to relief symptoms of the common cold and hay fever.

It is a single product containing 3 ingredients: brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine. Brompheniramine belongs to a group of drugs called Histamine H1 Antagonists (antihistamine). Antihistamines work by blocking the action of histamine, which is known to trigger allergy symptoms. Dextromethorphan belongs to a group of drugs called antitussives, which work by blocking cough signals and reducing the urge to cough. Phenylephrine belongs to a group of drugs called nasal decongestants. Nasal decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels and reducing the swelling inside your nasal passage, which allow you to breathe easier. 

This medication comes in a oral (by mouth) liquid, and is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours with or without food. 

Common side effects of Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough include fast heartbeat and shakiness/tremors. Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough can also cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough affects you.

Brompheniramine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of the natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

The combination of brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine is used to treat runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, cough, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

This medicine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

You should not use this medication if you have severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or if you are unable to urinate.

Do not use this medication if you have untreated or uncontrolled diseases such as glaucoma, asthma or COPD, high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or overactive thyroid.

Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Since this medication is taken when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe forms of some of the side effects listed in this medication guide.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as narcotic pain medication, sedatives, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by brompheniramine or dextromethorphan.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medication if you are also using any of the following drugs:

• atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine);

• benztropine (Cogentin);

• topiramate (Topamax);

• zonisamide (Zonegran);

• an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft), venlafaxine (Effexor), and others;

• anti-nausea medications such as belladonna (Donnatal), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), droperidol (Inapsine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm Scop);

• bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), solifenacin (Vesicare), tolterodine (Detrol), or Urogesic Blue;

• bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);

• irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Hyomax), or propantheline (Pro Banthine); or

• ulcer medicine such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul) or mepenzolate (Cantil).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

• It is used to treat nose stuffiness.
• It is used to ease allergy signs.
• It is used to relieve coughing.

Use Dimetapp DM Cold/Cough as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this medicine. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure Dimetapp DM Cold/Cough.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• If you take this medicine on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Many times Dimetapp DM Cold/Cough (brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine) is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.