Brompheniramine pediatric dose calculator
Use this Brompheniramine pediatric dose calculator to match the prescribed child dose to the exact liquid, tablet, or capsule strength before you give it.
label dosing table
Brompheniramine pediatric dosing details
Brompheniramine has no liquid to measure in the US, so this page shows the label dosing table instead of an mL calculator.
Formula
No mL calculation. Use the label dose for the child's age or weight, in the product form the prescriber chose (tablet or capsule).
Worked example
Every brompheniramine liquid sold in the US is a combination product (with a decongestant or cough medicine), so the dose must come from that product's own label, not a weight calculation. These are the label limits for the brompheniramine part.
Safety checks before using the result
- Check the product label for the exact ingredient and strength.
- Confirm age limits and indication-specific cautions with the prescriber.
- Seek care for urgent symptoms or a suspected overdose.
Practical dosing guide
Before you measure the dose
Use this page to match the child's age, symptoms, and preferred form before giving Brompheniramine.
- What it helps with
- Brompheniramine is a first‑generation H1 antihistamine used for allergy symptoms in children; it can cause drowsiness and anticholinergic effects.
- Common forms
- US brompheniramine liquids are combination products only.
- When it is usually taken
- Most plans are given in divided doses, depending on the reason it was prescribed.
Brompheniramine pediatric medication summary
Brompheniramine is a first‑generation H1 antihistamine used for allergy symptoms in children; it can cause drowsiness and anticholinergic effects.
Use only for narrow symptom targets with an explicit stop date before first dose
Avoid under age 2 years and avoid in active lower respiratory disease or major cardiac risk
Brompheniramine indications and common pediatric uses
Brompheniramine (often in multi-ingredient cough/cold syrups) is a short-term, symptom-relief medication rather than a disease-modifying therapy. Use should be narrow, time-limited, and avoided in children younger than 2 years.
Allergic rhinitis with nocturnal cough and congestion
Allergic rhinitis with nocturnal cough and congestion: Short-course nighttime use only after non-sedating antihistamines and nasal therapies have failed; avoid daytime use when alertness is required.
Viral upper respiratory infection with disruptive nighttime cough
Viral upper respiratory infection with disruptive nighttime cough: Use only for short nocturnal relief while maintaining supportive care; discontinue within 48–72 hours if no benefit.
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis with rhinorrhea
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis with rhinorrhea: Short bedtime dosing can reduce tearing/itch when topical agents are insufficient; stop if daytime sedation interferes with school.
Non-allergic rhinitis flare with severe nighttime congestion (short bridge use)
Non-allergic rhinitis flare with severe nighttime congestion (short bridge use): Consider only as a brief bridge when congestion is sleep-limiting and core therapies are already in place.
Nighttime pruritus in atopic dermatitis when hydroxyzine is poorly tolerated
Nighttime pruritus in atopic dermatitis when hydroxyzine is poorly tolerated: Short rescue option when other sedating antihistamines are poorly tolerated; document itch scores and sleep quality.
Refractory nocturnal urticaria itch when second-generation antihistamines are insufficient
Refractory nocturnal urticaria itch when second-generation antihistamines are insufficient: Short bedtime rescue option when non-sedating antihistamines alone are not controlling nighttime itch.
How to give Brompheniramine
- Brompheniramine combination syrups can reduce short-term nighttime cold/allergy symptoms, but dosing errors and duplicate OTC ingredients are common. Safe use depends on strict spacing, accurate measurement, and early recognition of sedation or stimulation side effects.
- Confirm the exact product and concentration on the bottle, find your child's age on the label's dosing chart (these combination syrups are dosed by age, not weight), shake well, measure that labeled volume in mL with an oral syringe, and dose every 4 hours while awake only if needed. Never exceed 6 doses in 24 hours and avoid combining with other cough/cold products.
- Use a visible medication log, reconcile all OTC/Rx products before each dose window, and stop medication immediately for breathing changes, severe agitation, chest symptoms, or persistent excessive sleepiness.
Brompheniramine side effects, contraindications, and interactions
Most side effects from brompheniramine combination syrups are dose-related (sleepiness, dry mouth, restlessness). Rare but serious reactions include hallucinations, seizures, severe cardiovascular symptoms, or breathing compromise and require immediate evaluation.
Common side effects
- Keep a dose-and-symptom log so excessive sedation, agitation, or palpitations are detected early.
- Encourage hydration, fiber, and saline nasal care to reduce anticholinergic dryness and constipation.
- If no meaningful symptom benefit after 2 to 3 nighttime doses, stop instead of extending the course.
Safety checks
- Age <2 years or premature infants
- Concurrent or recent (<=14 days) monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy
- Severe hypertension, coronary artery disease, or tachyarrhythmias
- Chronic lower respiratory disease including asthma with active bronchospasm
- Known hypersensitivity to brompheniramine, pseudoephedrine, or dextromethorphan
- Concomitant use of other antihistamine/decongestant/cough combination products
Drug interactions
- Review the full medication list with a clinician or pharmacist before combining therapies.
Brompheniramine mechanism and clinical pearls
Brompheniramine is a first-generation H1 inverse agonist that crosses the blood-brain barrier, so symptom relief can come with sedation and anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, urinary hesitation, blurred vision). Pseudoephedrine stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors in the nasal mucosa, decreasing edema and improving airflow, but may also trigger tachycardia, irritability, or insomnia. Dextromethorphan suppresses cough via sigma-1 receptor agonism and NMDA antagonism in central pathways; exposure is affected by CYP2D6 metabolism and can become clinically risky when combined with serotonergic medications. When these three mechanisms are bundled in one product, comfort may improve but adverse-effect load can stack. For pediatrics, the practical implication is short courses, strict dose spacing, and explicit caregiver counseling to avoid duplicate cold/cough products.
Review every OTC product in the home and use a written checklist so duplicate antihistamine, decongestant, or dextromethorphan exposure is avoided.
Limit use to 2–3 nights of severe nocturnal symptoms; by day rely on saline, humidifiers, and non-sedating antihistamines.
FDA reports of convulsions and deaths in toddlers demand clinician-guided use only when benefits clearly outweigh risks.
Because many products include pseudoephedrine, screen for congenital heart disease, stimulant therapy, hypertension, and palpitations before each short course.
Frequently asked questions about Brompheniramine
The FDA warns against multi-ingredient cold medicines in children under 2 because of serious side effects like slowed breathing and heart rhythm changes. For ages 2–5, use only with clinician guidance and close follow-up.
Check every medicine label for brompheniramine, pseudoephedrine, or dextromethorphan. Keep a dosing log and avoid taking other OTC cold remedies at the same time.
Do not exceed the labeled dose or more than 6 doses in 24 hours. Persistent cough may indicate another condition that needs evaluation—contact your clinician instead of increasing the dose.
Drowsiness is common, especially when combined with dextromethorphan. Some children become irritable instead. Avoid other sedating meds (diphenhydramine, melatonin, prescription sleep aids) and never mix with alcohol or cannabis in teens.
Do not layer it with other antihistamines (cetirizine, diphenhydramine) or decongestants unless a clinician approves. For children on ADHD stimulants or SSRIs, check with the prescriber—pseudoephedrine can raise heart rate and anxiety.
Seek help for fast or irregular heartbeat, hallucinations, worsening wheezing, fever lasting >3 days, or signs of dehydration. Call Poison Control immediately if an extra dose was given or if a child under 2 accidentally receives the medicine.
Sources reviewed for Brompheniramine
dailymed-brompheniramine-combo-2025
aaaai-otc-antihistamines-2020
fda-caution-cough-cold-kids-2024
nationwidechildrens-otc-cough-cold-2023
aao-allergic-conjunctivitis-2024
aad-eczema-itch-relief-2024