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

Dihydrocodeine is a narcotic cough suppressant.

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, dihydrocodeine, and phenylephrine is used to treat nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and cough caused by the common cold.

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

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

Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take a cough and cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

You should not use brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and phenylephrine if you are allergic to it, or if you have peptic ulcer, severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease (reduced circulation of blood to the heart), narrow-angle glaucoma, if you are breast-feeding a baby, or if you are unable to urinate.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or high blood pressure, asthma or other breathing disorder, diabetes, a thyroid disorder, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorder, a seizure disorder, head injury or brain tumor, an enlarged prostate, problems with urination, mental illness, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children. Brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and phenylephrine should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old.

Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take a cough and cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

You should also not take codeine if you are having an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

You should not use brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, or phenylephrine, if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it, or if you have:

• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• severe coronary artery disease;

• narrow-angle glaucoma;

• peptic ulcer;

• if you are unable to urinate;

• if you are pregnant;

• if you are having an asthma attack.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take brompheniramine, dihydrocodeine, and phenylephrine. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• ischemic heart disease (reduced circulation of blood to the heart);

• asthma, COPD, or other breathing disorder;

• glaucoma;

• diabetes;

• kidney or liver disease;

• a thyroid disorder;

• enlarged prostate, urination problems;

• gallbladder disease or pancreatitis;

• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;

• a history of head injury or brain tumor;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• mental illness; or

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Dihydrocodeine may cause breathing problems or addiction/withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are taking this medication.

This medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of dihydrocodeine by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication.

Dihydrocodeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.