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Compare pseudoeph-bromphen-dm alternatives | Promethazine-DM | Delsym Nighttime Cough | Dimetapp Children’s Cold and Cough | Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom | Vicks Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu | Natural alternatives | How to switch meds
Cough medicines are among the most widely used medicines in the United States. Some are effective for just one symptom, such as a cough or nasal congestion, whereas multi-symptom medications can treat more than one symptom.
One such multi-symptom medication is pseudoeph-bromphen-dm, which is the generic name for the branded drug Bromfed DM. It is a combination of pseudoephedrine (a decongestant), brompheniramine (an antihistamine), and dextromethorphan (an antitussive or cough suppressant). These three components have been available for many years, either as a stand-alone drug, such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), or in combination preparations, such as Dimetapp (brompheniramine and phenylephrine) or Robitussin DM (dextromethorphan and guaifenesin).
Pseudoeph-bromphen-dm is the only non-narcotic, prescription-only medication that contains an antihistamine, an antitussive, and a decongestant. Pseudoeph-bromphen-dm is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the relief of cough and upper respiratory symptoms, such as nasal congestion, associated with allergies or the common cold.
Pseudoeph-bromphen-dm should not be used by women who are breastfeeding or by those with severe hypertension or severe coronary artery disease. Contraindications include hypersensitivity to any drug or ingredient, use of an MAO inhibitor (e.g., phenelzine, isocarboxazid, selegiline, or tranylcypromine) within the past 14 days, which may lead to serious drug interactions, presence of glaucoma, or pregnancy during the first trimester.
Caution should also be taken in those with the following medical conditions: COPD (e.g., emphysema or bronchitis), high blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heartbeats, difficulty urinating, or overactive thyroid. Antihistamines, including brompheniramine, may diminish mental alertness or produce excitation in young children. The most frequent side effects reported when taking pseudoeph-bromphen-dm are sedation (drowsiness), dry mouth, dryness of the nose and throat, thickening of bronchial secretions, and dizziness.
Pseudoeph-bromphen-dm is only available as an oral syrup. It offers dosing instructions for children as young as two years of age, in contrast to most over-the-counter (OTC) cough, cold, and allergy products that are not recommended for use in young children under the age of four and, for some, should not be given to children under the age of six.
What can I take in place of pseudoeph-bromphen-dm?
Pseudoeph-bromphen-dm is considered a safe and effective multi-symptom prescription drug, although it may not be the best choice for everyone. It does require a prescription from a healthcare provider, and there may be other reasons a person needs an alternative multi-symptom cough medication, such as a potential allergic reaction to one or more ingredients or concerns about serious side effects.
There are many alternative prescription and OTC cough and cold medicines that treat nasal congestion and contain dextromethorphan as a cough suppressant. Continue reading to learn more about pseudoeph-bromphen-dm alternatives, their possible side effects, and other additional information.
Compare Bromfed DM (pseudoeph-bromphen-dm) alternatives |
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| Drug name | Uses | Dosage | Savings options |
| Pseudoeph- bromphen-dm
Rx |
Relief of cough and upper respiratory symptoms, including nasal congestion | 12 years of age and over: 2 teaspoons every 4 hours; 6 to 11 years of age: 1 teaspoon every 4 hours; 2 to 5 years of age: ½ teaspoon every 4 hours | Pseudoeph-bromphen-dm coupons |
| Promethazine- DM
Rx |
Relief of coughs and upper respiratory symptoms associated with allergy or the common cold | 12 years of age and over: 1 teaspoon every 4 to 6 hours; 6 to 11 years of age: ½ to 1 teaspoon every 4 to 6 hours; 2 to 5 years of age: ¼ to ½ teaspoon every 4 to 6 hours | Promethazine- DM coupons |
| Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough
OTC |
Relieves minor aches and pains, headache, cough, runny nose, nasal and sinus congestion, sneezing, sore throat, and reduces fever | 12 years of age and over: 2 tablets fully dissolved in 4 oz of water every 4 hours; under 12 years of age: do not use | Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough coupons |
| Comtrex Cold & Cough
OTC |
Relieves headache,
minor aches and pains, nasal congestion, sinus congestion and pressure, sore throat, cough, sneezing, runny nose, and reduces fever |
12 years of age and over: 2 caplets every 4 hours; under 12 years of age: consult a healthcare provider | Comtrex Cold & Cough coupons |
| Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold
OTC |
Relieves cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation, runny nose, and sneezing due to the common cold | 12 years of age and over: 1 tablet every 6 hours; under 12 years of age: do not use | Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold coupons |
| Delsym Nighttime Cough
OTC |
Relieves
cough, minor aches and pains, sore throat, headache, runny nose, sneezing, itching of the nose or throat, itchy, watery eyes, and reduces fever |
12 years of age and over: 20 ml in dosing cup provided every 4 hours; under 12 years of age: do not use | Delsym Nighttime Cough coupons |
| Dimetapp Children’s Cold & Cough
OTC |
Relieves nasal congestion,
runny nose, cough, sneezing, itching of the nose or throat, itchy, watery eyes, and restores freer breathing through the nose |
12 years of age and over: 20 ml in dosing cup provided every 4 hours; 6 to 11 years of age: 10 ml in dosing cup provided every 4 hours; under 6 years of age: do not use
|
Dimetapp Children’s Cold & Cough coupons |
| Mucinex Fast-Max Cold & Flu Maximum Strength
OTC |
Relieves nasal congestion,
headache, cough, stuffy nose, minor aches and pains, sore throat, sinus congestion and pressure, reduces fever, helps loosen phlegm (mucus) |
12 years of age and over: 2 liquid gels every 4 hours; under 12 years of age: do not use | Mucinex Fast-Max Cold & Flu Maximum Strength coupons |
| Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom
OTC |
Relieves cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation, nasal congestion, sinus congestion and pressure, minor aches and pains, sore throat, headache, reduces fever and loosens phlegm (mucus) | 12 years of age and over: 20 ml in dosing cup provided every 4 hours; under 12 years of age: do not use | Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom coupons |
| Theraflu Severe Cold
OTC |
Relieves minor aches and pains,
minor sore throat pain, headache, nasal and sinus congestion, cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation, and reduces fever |
12 years of age and over: one packet in 8 oz. hot water every 4 hours; under 12 years of age: do not use | Theraflu Severe Cold coupons |
| Triaminic
OTC |
Relieves nasal and sinus congestion and cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation | 6 to under 12 years of age: 10 ml in dosing cup provided every 4 hours; 4 to under 6 years of age: 5 ml in dosing cup provided every 4 hours; under 4 years of age: do not use | Triaminic |
| Tylenol Extra Strength Cold & Flu Multi-Action
OTC |
Relieves
minor aches and pains, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, sinus congestion and pressure, and fever |
12 years of age and over: 2 caplets every 6 hours; under 12 years of age: consult a healthcare provider | Tylenol Extra Strength Cold & Flu Multi-Action coupons |
| Vicks DayQuil Cold & Flu
OTC |
Relieves nasal congestion,
cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation, sore throat, headache, minor aches and pains, and fever |
12 years of age and over: 30 ml in dosing cup provided every 4 hours; 6 to 11 years of age: 15 ml in dosing cup provided every 4 hours; 4 to under 6 years of age: consult a healthcare provider; under 4 years of age: do not use | Vicks DayQuil Cold & Flu coupons |
| Vicks Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu
OTC |
Relieves cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation, sore throat, headache, minor aches and pains, fever,
runny nose, and sneezing |
12 years of age and over: 30 ml in dosing cup provided every 6 hours; 4 to under 12 years of age consult a healthcare provider; under 4 years of age: do not use | Vicks Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu coupons |
Other alternatives to pseudoeph-bromphen-dm
The preceding chart lists the brand names of the most commonly used prescription and OTC cough and cold medicines that contain the cough suppressant dextromethorphan combined with other active ingredients. There are literally thousands of generic versions available for these branded products, typically at discounted prices compared to the branded version.
Top 5 pseudoeph-bromphen-dm alternatives
The following are some of the most common alternatives to pseudoeph-bromphen-dm.
1. Promethazine-DM
Promethazine-DM is the generic form of the branded prescription cough syrup Phenergan DM. It contains a combination of promethazine, an antihistamine, and dextromethorphan, the same cough suppressant as found in pseudoeph-bromphen-dm. Promethazine-DM is approved for use in children as young as two years old, as is pseudoeph-bromphen-dm, and both are available only as oral syrup. Both have very similar cautions and side effect profiles, although promethazine-DM does carry the following mandated boxed warning, also known as a black box warning: “Do not use in patients less than two years of age due to the potential for fatal respiratory depression. For patients two years and older, use with caution at the lowest effective dose and avoid combining with other respiratory depressant drugs.”
2. Delsym Nighttime Cough
Delsym Nighttime Cough, an OTC oral liquid, contains the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, as well as acetaminophen, a pain reliever and fever reducer, and the antihistamine triprolidine. Delsym Nighttime Cough has a similar side effect profile and cautions as pseudoeph-bromphen-dm however, it is not recommended for those under 12 years of age. It comes as a mixed berry-flavored liquid. Because Delsym Nighttime Cough contains acetaminophen, users are cautioned that severe liver damage may occur if more than the recommended maximum daily amount of 4000 mg is taken or if three or more alcoholic drinks are ingested while using this acetaminophen-containing medicine.
3. Dimetapp Children’s Cold and Cough
Dimetapp Children’s Cold and Cough, an OTC oral liquid, contains the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, the antihistamine brompheniramine, and the decongestant phenylephrine. It is indicated for use in those six years of age and older. Dimetapp Children’s Cold and Cough liquid shares a similar side effect profile and cautions as pseudoeph-bromphen-dm. It is specifically a pediatric formula intended for children and is grape-flavored and alcohol-free.
4. Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom
Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom, an OTC oral liquid, contains the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, the expectorant guaifenesin, the pain reliever and fever reducer acetaminophen, and the decongestant phenylephrine. It has a similar side effect profile and cautions as pseudoeph-bromphen-dm, however, it is not recommended for those under 12 years of age. It comes as a raspberry-flavored liquid. Because Robitussin Severe Multi-Symptom contains acetaminophen, users are cautioned that severe liver damage may occur if more than the recommended maximum daily amount of six doses in 24 hours is taken or if three or more alcoholic drinks are ingested while using this acetaminophen-containing medicine.
5. Vicks Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu
Vicks Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu, an OTC coated tablet, contains the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, the antihistamine doxylamine, the pain reliever, and fever reducer acetaminophen, and the decongestant phenylephrine. It has a similar side effect profile and cautions as pseudoeph-bromphen-dm, however, it is not recommended for those under 12 years of age without consulting a healthcare professional. Because Vicks Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu contains acetaminophen, users are cautioned that severe liver damage may occur if more than the recommended maximum daily amount of eight doses in 24 hours is taken or if three or more alcoholic drinks are ingested while using this acetaminophen-containing medicine.
Natural alternatives to pseudoeph-bromphen-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 and cold symptoms:
- Drink plenty of fluids to help thin the mucus in the throat; warm drinks, such as hot tea or broth, can help soothe the 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 decreasing congestion in nasal passages
- Gargling with warm salt water four to five times a day can help reduce coughing by loosening mucus
How to switch to a pseudoeph-bromphen-dm alternative
Once deciding to switch from pseudoeph-bromphen-dm to another cough and cold medicine, it is recommended to seek medical advice from a healthcare professional. This may help identify what is causing the cough and whether suppressing the cough is even advisable. Because of the many choices and different combinations of cough suppressants, antihistamines, decongestants, and other active ingredients, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each. This is particularly important to determine if any underlying health conditions or current prescription, OTC medications, or supplements being taken might influence the product decision. If cost is a concern, using a SingleCare discount card can help find the best price.
