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Peds Calc

Pediatric Reference

Brompheniramine Side EffectsComprehensive Pediatric Safety Guide

Sedation, dry mouth, and restlessness are the most common reactions. Serious events such as hallucinations, seizures, or heart rhythm changes are rare but require immediate care.

4 Categories
7 Clinical Sources
Evidence-Based
Back to Brompheniramine Overview

Essential Information

1

Keep dosing logs to spot excessive sedation or agitation early

2

Encourage fluids, fiber, and saline nasal care to counter drying effects

3

Stop and seek urgent care for hallucinations, severe agitation, chest pain, or difficulty urinating

Clinical Overview

Monitor closely during the first 24–48 hours—brompheniramine’s anticholinergic effects and pseudoephedrine’s adrenergic stimulation can affect alertness, mood, and heart rate.

Side Effect Categories

4 Systems

Central nervous system

2 documented effects

Total Sources: 2

Sedation / drowsiness

Incidence: Very common
Onset: Not specified
mild to moderate
1 sources
Duration

Not specified

Management

Limit to bedtime dosing when possible; avoid other sedatives; reassess school attendance and activities

Monitoring Guidelines

Check morning wakefulness and academic impact

1 clinical sources• PubMed • Clinical Guidelines • FDA

Paradoxical excitation, irritability, hallucinations

Incidence: Uncommon
Onset: Often within first few doses in younger children
severe
1 sources
Duration

Not specified

Management

Stop medication immediately and obtain urgent evaluation

Monitoring Guidelines

Observe for sudden agitation, nightmares, or behavioral changes

1 clinical sources• PubMed • Clinical Guidelines • FDA

Cardiovascular

1 documented effect

Total Sources: 2

Tachycardia / palpitations / blood pressure elevation

Incidence: Uncommon
Onset: Not specified
moderate
2 sources
Duration

Not specified

Management

Stop drug; consider medical evaluation especially in teens with cardiac history

Monitoring Guidelines

Ask about chest discomfort, racing heart, dizziness

2 clinical sources• PubMed • Clinical Guidelines • FDA

Anticholinergic

2 documented effects

Total Sources: 2

Dry mouth / thick secretions

Incidence: Common
Onset: Not specified
mild
1 sources
Duration

Not specified

Management

Offer water, sugar-free lozenges, humidifier, saline nasal spray

Monitoring Guidelines

Watch for difficulty clearing mucus or tooth discomfort

1 clinical sources• PubMed • Clinical Guidelines • FDA

Urinary retention / hesitancy

Incidence: Rare
Onset: Not specified
moderate to severe
1 sources
Duration

Not specified

Management

Stop immediately and seek care, especially in patients with bladder outlet issues

Monitoring Guidelines

Ask adolescents about reduced urine output or discomfort

1 clinical sources• PubMed • Clinical Guidelines • FDA

Gastrointestinal

1 documented effect

Total Sources: 1

Nausea or stomach upset

Incidence: Common
Onset: Not specified
mild
1 sources
Duration

Not specified

Management

Give with food or small snack; encourage hydration

Monitoring Guidelines

Call if vomiting or abdominal pain persists

1 clinical sources• PubMed • Clinical Guidelines • FDA

Parent Communication Guide

Age-Appropriate Explanations

Infants (0-12 months)

For babies taking Brompheniramine, watch for signs of side effects. This medication is generally well-tolerated in infants when used as directed.

Toddlers (1-3 years)

This medicine might make your child very sleepy or cranky—watch closely.

Children (4-12 years)

It can make you drowsy; tell an adult if your heart feels like it’s racing or you feel strange.

Adolescents (13+ years)

Avoid driving or sports until you know how it affects you. Call right away if you have chest pounding or hallucinations.

Common Parent Concerns

Q: Child too sleepy

A: Use bedtime-only dosing and consider stopping if daytime functioning is impaired.

When to validate: If the child cannot stay awake during the day, contact the clinician.

Q: Rapid heartbeat or jitters

A: Stop the medicine and seek care; the decongestant can stimulate the heart.

When to validate: Immediate evaluation if chest pain, fainting, or severe anxiety occurs.

Clinical Decision Support

Severity Assessment Framework

Stratify sedation and cardiostimulatory effects to guide continuation or discontinuation.

Mild
Indicators: Predictable drowsiness, Dry mouth only
Action: Continue with bedtime dosing and supportive care
Moderate
Indicators: Daytime impairment, Mild tachycardia, Behavior changes
Action: Reassess dose, consider stopping, monitor closely
Severe
Indicators: Hallucinations, Seizure, Severe palpitations, Urinary retention
Action: Emergency evaluation and discontinue permanently

Treatment Decision Guidelines

Immediate Discontinuation

  • Anaphylaxis
  • Hallucinations or seizures
  • Severe cardiovascular symptoms

Consider Alternatives

  • Persistent moderate sedation
  • Worsening asthma or airway congestion

Dose Modification

  • Mild drowsiness
  • Dry mouth only

Clinical References

Use Caution When Giving Cough and Cold Products to KidsU.S. Food & Drug Administration (2024)Consumer Guidance
Cough and Cold Medicines (OTC)Nationwide Children’s Hospital (2023)Patient Education

Frequently Asked Questions

Parent and clinician concerns about Brompheniramine