Under Health frequently asked questions of DrugStocker, we answer questions people ask which we believe are yet to be answered correctly or clearly by similar websites.
In this article, we would be answering a question, “why was Bromfed discontinued” since a lot of persons are asking it.
After answering it, we will briefly discuss the uses, dosage, side effects and other relevant information of Bromfed DM Syrup we feel are important to know.
Since you want to know why Bromfed DM Syrup was discontinued, we believe that you already know what the medicine is and what it is used for.
But in case we are wrong, Bromfed DM is a medicine which contains Brompheniramine, Dextromethorphan, and Pseudoephedrine as its active ingredients. It is a clear, light pink syrup with a butterscotch flavor. It is palatable to taste.
Brompheniramine is an antihistamine drug used for allergies and its symptoms. Dextromethorphan is an antitussive agent used to suppress dry cough. Pseudoephedrine is nasal decongestant.
Bromfed DM Syrup is used to relieve the symptoms of common cold and allergies. It is also used to treat common cold induced cough.
In addition, it is used to treat respiratory symptoms caused by allergies. This symptoms may include itching, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough etc.
Why was Bromfed discontinued?
Bromfed has not been discontinued. However, it is now classified as a prescription only medicine, meaning that you will have to get a prescription for it from a doctor before you can buy it.
Even at that, you are only allowed to get a maximum of 15 bottles of it in a month. Similarly, you can get 6 bottles of it in a single day.
The reason why Bromfed is now strictly regulated is because of “Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005″.
In addition to Bromfed DM Syrup being now classified as a prescription only medicine, its dispensing is strictly regulated in the sense that a particular person has a maximum quantity, measured in the amount Pseudoephedrine, to get in a month.
To be more precise, an individual cannot get more than 15 bottles of Bromfed DM syrup in a month.
This is because 15 bottles of Bromfed DM Syrup contain 9000mg of Pseudoephedrine which is the maximum permissible amount an individual is allowed to get in in a month.
Similarly, an individual cannot get more than 6 bottles of Bromfed DM Syrup in a day.
This is because 6 bottles of Bromfed DM Syrup contain 3600mg of Pseudoephedrine, which is the maximum daily permissible quantity of it per individual.
Data used in getting the above quantity of daily and monthly permissible bottles of Bromfed DM Syrup for an individual is:
- 5ml of Bromfed DM contains 30mg of Pseudoephedrine
- A bottle of Bromfed DM Syrup contain 600mg of Pseudoephedrine
- A bottle of Bromfed DM Syrup is 100ml.
Calculation done by Jude Ozioko (B. Pharm).
You may be wondering why this strict regulation of Bromfed DM Syrup. It is actually because it contains Pseudoephedrine as part of its active ingredients as we earlier mentioned.
And Pseudoephedrine is used illegally by some persons to manufacture psychoactive drug called Methamphetamine.
So, to prevent people from engaging in using Bromfed to manufacture Methamphetamine, the amount of Bromfed DM Syrup an individual is to get in a month is limited to a quantity that would not encourage such practices.
Uses of Bromfed DM Syrup
Bromfed DM is used to relieve symptoms of common cold and allergies.
These symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Itchy and/or irritating throat
- Cold induced cough
- Nasal congestion
- Other respiratory symptoms
Dosage of Bromfed DM Syrup
- Adults and children 12 years of age and above: 10ml taken every 4 hours
- Children, 6 years and under 12 years: 5ml taken 4 hourly
- Children, 2 years to under 6 years: 2.5ml given every 4 hours
- Infants, 6 months to under 2 years: dosage to be determined by a physician
Side Effects of Bromfed DM Syrup
Bromfed DM Syrup, just like every medication, has some unwanted effects otherwise called side effects.
Not everyone would have all the side effects associated with use of Bromfed DM Syrup. Some individuals may not even experience any of them at all while some may just experience minor of them.
Meanwhile, the following are common side effects of Bromfed DM Syrup:
- Headache
- Drowsiness or feeling sleepy
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Stomach upset
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Dry nose
- Dry throat
- Trouble falling asleep
- Nervousness
- Excitability
Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if any of these side effects is serious or gets worse over time.
Overdosage
If you take an overdose of Bromfed DM Syrup, you will likely experience a serious side effects. These may include seizures, arrhythmias also called irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, confusion, flushed skin, vision changes, and fever.
Seek immediate medical attention if you take an overdose of any medication including Bromfed DM Syrup.
Who should not take Bromfed DM Syrup?
- Do not take Bromfed if you are hypersensitive to it or any of its ingredients.
- In addition, do not take it if you are currently taking any medicine in the class of monoamine oxidase inhibitors or if you took it within 2 weeks. Ask your pharmacist about this
- Do not take it if your doctor didn’t recommend it for it.
Is Bromfed DM Syrup safe in pregnancy
It is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Can a breastfeeding woman take Bromfed DM Syrup?
It is not recommended for use when nursing a baby.