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Key takeaways
Pseudoephedrine-brompheniramine DM (generic Bromfed DM) is a prescription drug that relieves the upper respiratory tract symptoms of allergies and the common cold.
The drug combines a nasal decongestant, antihistamine, and cough suppressant, all of which can be purchased individually without a prescription.
Cheaper over-the-counter cold and allergy medications are available that contain different decongestants or antihistamines.
Pseudoephedrine-brompheniramine DM is a generic prescription drug that treats cough and other cold and allergy symptoms. It is a combination of pseudoephedrine (a decongestant), brompheniramine (an antihistamine), and dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant). There are many over-the-counter cold, allergy, and cough medicines, so one reason to switch to a pseudoephedrine-brompheniramine DM alternative is to avoid the cost and inconvenience of purchasing a prescription cold remedy. Other people may wish to avoid pseudoephedrine because of the potential side effects.
RELATED: The best cough medicine for fast relief
What can I take instead of Bromfed DM?
Formerly sold as the brand-name Bromfed DM, pseudoephedrine-brompheniramine DM is considered a safe and effective multi-symptom prescription drug, but it requires a doctor’s prescription because of the pseudoephedrine ingredient. Products containing pseudoephedrine are heavily regulated and sometimes prescription-only as the drug can be used to illegally manufacture methamphetamine.
1. Consider which symptoms need to be treated
It’s important to address specific cold or allergy symptoms and avoid unnecessary medicines, so sometimes not all of the combination ingredients are needed. For example, someone’s primary concern may be nasal congestion without a cough or vice versa. Those looking for something easier or cheaper to buy can start with nonprescription medications that contain both brompheniramine and dextromethorphan, but use the less powerful phenylephrine to relieve nasal congestion. An example of a brand-name product with these three drugs is Endacof DM.
2. Skip the nasal decongestant (especially if you have certain health conditions)
Another option is to forego the nasal decongestant entirely. Both pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can cause problems in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, or other medical conditions. Restlessness, nervousness, and insomnia are common side effects.
RELATED: Safe cold medicine for high blood pressure
3. Try a different antihistamine
A third option is to buy a combination cold, allergy, or cough medication that uses a different antihistamine instead of brompheniramine. These cold, flu, and cough medicines, such as Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold (dextromethorphan and chlorpheniramine), that combine an antihistamine with dextromethorphan are generously stocked on store shelves. Additionally, there are combinations of other antihistamines with pseudoephedrine, such as Claritin-D (loratadine and pseudoephedrine) and Allegra-D (fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine).
4. Ask about a prescription
If over-the-counter medications aren’t effective, ask your healthcare provider about a prescription antihistamine, such as promethazine with dextromethorphan.
If coughing is a major problem, a healthcare provider can prescribe a combination of an antihistamine and a prescription codeine, such as promethazine-codeine, a powerful antitussive. Hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine is another combination that contains an antihistamine and an opioid cough suppressant to relieve cough and upper respiratory symptoms. These alternatives are reserved for those who have already tried non-opioid medication options, as these have higher associated risks and sedating adverse effects.
For those seeking a prescription alternative for only a cough, benzonatate (formerly sold under the brand name Tessalon) is commonly prescribed to lessen cough.
Finally, some people have a phlegmy cough that isn’t caused by postnasal drip, but by excess mucus in the lungs. In those cases, an antihistamine and cough suppressant may not help. A more appropriate choice would be a cough suppressant combined with guaifenesin, such as Robitussin Peak Cold Multi-Symptom (guaifenesin-dextromethorphan-phenylephrine). Guaifenesin is a mucus-thinning drug that helps clear mucus from the lungs.
Bromfed DM alternatives cost comparison |
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| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Pseudoephephedrine-brompheniramine-dextromethorphan | $78 for 118 mL of 30-2-10 mg/5 mL syrup | $9 for 118 mL of 30-2-10 mg/5 mL syrup of generic Bromfed DM at Walmart | See latest prices |
| Endacof DM (phenylephrine-brompheniramine-dextromethorphan) | $16 per 120 mL of 2.5-1-5 mg/5 mL liquid | $11 per 120 mL of 2.5-1-5 mg/5 mL liquid of Endacof DM at Walgreens | See latest prices |
| Promethazine- dextromethorphan | $36 for 120 mL of 6.25-15 mg/5 mL syrup | $5 for 120 mL of 6.25-15 mg/5 mL syrup of promethazine DM at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Promethazine-codeine | $37 for 120 mL of 6.25-10 mg/5 mL oral solution | $15 for 120 mL of 6.25-10 mg/5 mL oral solution of promethazine-codeine at Food Lion | See latest prices |
| Claritin-D 24-hour (loratadine-pseudoephedrine) | $58 per 30 extended-release tablets | $28 per 30 extended-release tablets of generic Claritin-D at Food Lion | See latest prices |
| Allegra-D 12-hour (fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine) | $80 per 60 extended-release tablets | $32 per 60 extended-release tablets of generic Allegra-D at Publix | See latest prices |
| Benzonatate | $65 for 30, 100 mg capsules | $10 for 30, 100 mg capsules of benzonatate at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold (chlorpheniramine-dextromethorphan) | $12 per 1, 16-tablet box | $9 per 1, 16-tablet box of generic Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold at Walgreens | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of April 8, 2026. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
Top 5 Bromfed DM alternatives
The following are some of the most common alternatives to pseudoephedrine-brompheniramine DM.
1. Allegra-D (OTC/behind pharmacy counter)
Allegra-D is an over-the-counter combination medication that contains the antihistamine fexofenadine and the decongestant pseudoephedrine. Due to the pseudoephedrine ingredient, this alternative must be purchased at the pharmacy counter. Allegra-D relieves symptoms associated with the common cold, allergic rhinitis and other upper respiratory allergies. A key difference is this alternative does not contain a cough medicine. Dextromethorphan (brand name Delsym) can be purchased separately as an OTC cough suppressant if needed. Allegra-D is also available as the generic name fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine and has similar side effects as pseudoephedrine-brompheniramine DM.
2. Promethazine DM (Rx)
Promethazine DM is a more powerful antihistamine than brompheniramine, so it’s available only with a prescription. It may be more effective at relieving runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and sore throat than over-the-counter antihistamines. Generic promethazine DM combines this powerful antihistamine with the cough suppressant dextromethorphan.
Cautions and side effects are similar to pseudoephedrine-brompheniramine DM, but the antihistamine is powerful enough to merit a black box warning about the potential for fatal respiratory depression in children younger than 2 years of age. Doctors use promethazine DM cautiously in older children because of potential serious side effects.
3. Hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine (Rx)
Hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine is a generic prescription medication that contains an opioid cough suppressant and an antihistamine. This alternative is used to treat cough and upper respiratory tract symptoms associated with allergy or the common cold. Hydrocodone belongs to the opioid drug class and should be used with caution due to sedating effects and respiratory depression. Opioid-containing cough medicines are reserved for those who have already tried non-opioid medications and need further treatment. This alternative is ideal for those who can safely take opioid-containing medications, determined by their healthcare provider.
4. Endacof DM (OTC)
Endacof DM is a nonprescription medication nearly identical to pseudoephedrine-brompheniramine DM except that it substitutes phenylephrine for pseudoephedrine as the decongestant ingredient. Recent evidence has demonstrated phenylephrine is significantly less effective for nasal congestion than pseudoephedrine. This alternative would be ideal for those experiencing symptoms of cough and nasal drip, but minimal nasal congestion. It is FDA-approved for use in adults and children 6 years of age and older. Endacof DM has similar common side effects and cautions as Bromfed DM.
5. Robitussin Peak Cold Multi-Symptom (OTC)
Sometimes, coughing is primarily due to mucus in the lungs. An antihistamine won’t help, so the most appropriate medication is guaifenesin, an expectorant. Robitussin Peak Cold Multi-Symptom, an OTC oral liquid, combines guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and dextromethorphan. Guaifenesin is found in a multitude of cold and flu medications, so it’s easy to find cough or cold medicines with this active ingredient. It also has very few side effects.
Robitussin Peak Cold Multi-Symptom coupons
Over-the-counter cold medications with nasal decongestants
Some combination cold medications that contain pseudoephedrine are available without a prescription but are regulated as “behind-the-counter” products. Because pseudoephedrine is a heavily regulated nasal decongestant, purchasers must show a valid ID and may be asked basic screening questions about their symptoms or medical conditions. Sales are also subject to quantity limits.
An example of a behind-the-counter product is Tylenol Extra Strength Cold + Flu Multi-Action, which contains pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, and acetaminophen.
Most other over-the-counter cold and flu products use phenylephrine instead of pseudoephedrine, since phenylephrine can be sold directly on store shelves. However, one study has found phenylephrine to be significantly less effective for nasal congestion, and some healthcare professionals question whether it provides meaningful relief. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended removing phenylephrine from the market because its clinical evidence determined it is not effective as a nasal decongestant.
Natural alternatives to Bromfed DM
While there are many medicines available to help ease cough and congestion, there are many non-drug remedies that can be effective in treating cough, cold, and allergy symptoms:
- Drink plenty of fluids to help thin the mucus in the throat.
- Warm drinks can help with a sore throat.
- Saline nose drops or sprays can help clear mucus and relieve a stuffy nose.
- Cough drops or honey may ease a dry cough and soothe an irritated throat.
- A cool-mist humidifier makes breathing easier by reducing congestion in the nasal passages.
- Gargling with warm salt water can help reduce coughing by loosening mucus.
Is Bromfed DM a controlled substance?
The active ingredients in pseudoephedrine-brompheniramine-dextromethorphan are not controlled substances. However, pseudoephedrine is a regulated substance because it can be used to make methamphetamine. When buying pseudoephedrine products, consumers must present a photo ID to the pharmacist and, in some states, answer questions. All sales are logged, and the buyer’s personal information is saved for at least two years.
How to switch to a Bromfed DM alternative
When switching from pseudoephedrine brompheniramine DM to another cough and cold medicine, get medical advice from a healthcare professional. Because of the many choices and combinations of cough suppressants, antihistamines, decongestants, and other active ingredients, it is important to determine whether any underlying health conditions or current drugs or supplements being taken might interact with the drug.
Choosing the right path for cold and flu treatment
Cold and allergies are a regular part of life. Most of the time, the problem resolves without any treatment other than rest and sensible home remedies. Multi-symptom over-the-counter medications can help with symptoms, but get medical advice from a pharmacist or healthcare provider. Not all combination drugs are effective, and some have side effects or drug interactions that may make them unsafe.
Above all else, see a doctor if symptoms get worse, fever gets high, or you have other serious symptoms. In those cases, the problem may be more than a simple allergic reaction or uncomplicated infection.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of April 8, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our pseudoph-bromphen-dm coupon page for updated pseudoephedrine-brompheniramine-dextromethorphan prices near you.
- A placebo-controlled study of the nasal decongestant effect of phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine in the Vienna Challenge Chamber, Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (2009)
- Behind the counter products: a third class of drugs, U.S. Pharmacist (2011)
- Brompheniramine maleate, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, and dextromethorphan hydrobromide oral syrup prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Endacof DM drug information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Allegra-D drug information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Promethazine DM drug information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Hydrocodone chlorpheniramine drug information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Robitussin Peak Cold Multi-Symptom drug information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- FDA proposes ending use of oral phenylephrine as OTC monograph nasal decongestant active ingredient after extensive review, FDA (2024)