Colds and flus can be a significant burden, especially during winter. This results in many people taking over-the-counter medications like Bromphen PSE DM to relieve their symptoms.
Unfortunately, while this drug may temporarily relieve cold and flu symptoms, it also has an addictive potential that many users often overlook or ignore. If a person is not careful with using Bromphen PSE DM, they can end up in a dangerous, addictive situation.
To ensure safe and steady recovery and avoid any potential risks associated with taking Bromphen PSE DM, it’s essential to understand the basic drug information of this medication and its addictive potential.
With the proper knowledge about this drug, you can ensure that your treatment plan is as safe as possible.
What Are Brompheniramine, Pseudoephedrine, and Dextromethorphan?
Bromphen PSE DM is a compound drug made with various well-known over-the-counter medicines, namely brompheniramine, pseudoephedrine, and dextromethorphan. This compound drug treats coughs, common colds, and other flu symptoms.
- Bromphen or brompheniramine maleate is an antihistamine that helps relieve sneezing, itchy eyes, other allergy-related symptoms, and other breathing-related illnesses. Brompheniramine maleate is one of the most commonly combined drug ingredients with other over-the-counter medications.
- Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride is a nasal decongestant that helps reduce nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and other breathing issues associated with colds and flu. This decongestive drug works by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose to help relieve symptoms of a stuffy nose due to colds or allergies.
- Lastly, dextromethorphan hydrobromide is a cough suppressant used to help relieve and suppress coughs. This antitussive drug suppresses nerve signals in your brain that trigger the coughing reflex, which decreases your urge to cough.
Drug Information
Bromphen PSE DM exists in many forms, such as:
- Capsules (both fast-acting and liquid-filled)
- Tablets (long-acting, fizzy, and chewable forms)
- Liquids (syrups and suspensions)
- Packets.
You’ll most likely encounter this drug in capsule or tablet forms. However, doctors might recommend this in liquid forms or liquid-filled capsules for those who have difficulty swallowing regular capsules.
Bromphen PSE DM is also available in various dosages, depending on the severity of your cold or flu symptoms. Higher dosages often require a prescription from a doctor and must be taken with caution. Here are some of the most commonly available dosages:
- 473ml of 30-2-10mg/5ml
- 118ml of 30-2-10mg/5ml
- 5ml of 30-2-10mg/5ml
Indications
As mentioned, this compound medication is used to treat the common cold and relieve coughs. It can also alleviate the following symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy throat and eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Headache and body aches due to nasal congestion
- Watery eyes
- Other related symptoms
Proper Drug Intake
Knowing how to take any drug properly ensures the maximum efficacy of the medication, and prevents misuse. The general rule of thumb is to follow your doctor’s or the label’s instructions.
Different medicine forms have varying proper drug intake instructions:
- Tablets or capsules: Do not crush the tablet or chew it. You should swallow the medicine as a whole.
- Chewable forms: Make sure to chew the chewable tablet thoroughly before swallowing it.
- Fizzy tablets: Dissolve the tablet in half a cup of water and drink it straight. You must not let the solution stand for an extended time.
- Liquid form: Make sure to use marked instruments to measure the correct dosage accurately.
Missed-Dose Instructions
If you missed your bromophenol PSE DM intake, you should not try to catch up by taking double doses. If it’s close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule.
If it’s already way past the time of your scheduled dose but still far from your next one, take the missed one as soon as possible but never do a double dose.
What Should I Discuss with My Healthcare Provider Before Taking this Medicine?
Before taking bromophenol PSE DM, you should inform your doctor of the following:
- Diagnosis of heart disease or high blood pressure: Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride can cause changes in heart rate and increase your blood pressure, which could be dangerous if you’re suffering from these diseases.
- Taking other drugs: You should inform your doctor if you’re taking MAO inhibitor drugs (i.e., Nardil, Marplan, Eldepryl, or Parnate) or other OTC drugs to treat cough and cold symptoms.
- History of allergic reactions: Informing your doctor of any allergies or sensitivities to other substances will help them decide if this medicine is safe for you.
- Breast feeding: Brompheniramine PSE DM passes into breast milk, so you should talk to your doctor before taking this medication if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Other health problems: You should tell your doctor if you suffer from other health conditions, such as diabetes, glaucoma, or COPD.
What are the Possible Side Effects of this Medicine?
This compound medication exhibits common side effects similar to most antihistamines, such as sleepiness, dizziness, or coughing up thick mucus. Although it often causes sleepiness, some users feel active or restless after taking this medication.
What is the Addictive Potential of Bromphen PSE DM?
All components of this compound drug have high addictive potential because of their nature.
- Brompheniramine maleate, an antihistamine, has sedative effects similar to benzodiazepines and can cause euphoria or a “high” when taken in high doses.
- Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, acts similarly to most amphetamine stimulants and can be habit-forming in the long run.
- Reports of dextromethorphan-induced withdrawal symptoms have been reported when used chronically in high doses. Some people use this as an accessible alternative to most psychoactive drugs.
This drug is generally harmless and not habit-forming when taken as prescribed, but it has a high potential for misuse when taken in higher doses than prescribed.
It is essential to be aware of the addictive potential of brompheniramine PSE DM before taking it, especially if you have a history of addiction or substance misuse.
You must consult your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any unusual side effects concerning or indicative of possible addiction.
What Are the Symptoms of Bromphen PSE DM Overdose?
Since the addictive symptoms of this drug are shown when taken in large doses, you must know the overdose symptoms of brompheniramine PSE DM, which are:
- Severe headache
- Hallucinations
- Feeling of lightheadedness like you’re about to faint
- Rapid heartbeat or feeling of a racing heart
- Nausea and vomiting
- Uncontrollable shaking or tremors
- Convulsions or seizures
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or others, you must seek medical help immediately and call the Poison Control Center. These symptoms could also exhibit an allergic reaction or unwanted drug interactions from taking certain drugs.
What Is the Prevalence of Cold Medicine Abuse?
Misuse and abuse of cold medicines are not uncommon. A study from the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) in 2020 shows that about 3.7% of teens use OTC cough medicines to experience a “high” feeling.
The study shows that teens often abuse products containing dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant and one-third of the Bromphen PSE DM compound. This drug is generally safe to consume but produces dissociative and hallucinogenic reactions in excessive dosages.
What are the Treatment Options for Bromphen PSE DM?
Treatment options need to be personalized based on the severity of the dependence and any underlying mental health condition that may have contributed to the misuse or abuse of this drug.
Some of the most common treatment options for this kind of OTC medication abuse include the following:
- Detox programs: Detox programs help individuals safely remove toxins from the body and can also help them manage withdrawal symptoms.
- Rehabilitation programs: Residential and outpatient programs help individuals with substance abuse better understand their addiction and develop strategies for a successful recovery.
- Sober-living housing: This option is for those transitioning from inpatient to outpatient treatment. It provides a supportive environment that encourages individuals to build sober living habits.
- Dextromethorphan (DXM) addiction therapy: Since dextromethorphan is a primary drug in the brompheniramine PSE DM compound, strategies to treat DXM addiction might be effective.
Get the Help You or Your Loved Ones Need at La Hacienda Treatment Center
Addiction or drug dependence is a serious health issue that is best accomplished with professional help. If you or a loved one has developed a dependence on an OTC medication or a street drug, it is essential that you consult an addiction specialist to receive proper treatment.
If you or a loved one is dealing with an addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out for help today. It’s never too late to get your life back on track. Talk to us and find out how we can help you begin the recovery process.
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