Drug interactions
Brompheniramine + Doxepin
Severity: Moderate
Brompheniramine and Doxepin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs cause sedation, and doxepin is also strongly anticholinergic. Taking them together can produce excessive drowsiness, impaired psychomotor performance and additive anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion, particularly in older adults.
What this interaction means in plain words
Brompheniramine and Doxepin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Brompheniramine belongs to Respiratory; Doxepin belongs to Dermatology.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression through histamine H1 blockade and additive antimuscarinic activity.
What to do
Warn the patient about drowsiness and avoid driving or operating machinery. Consider a non-sedating antihistamine, and monitor older patients for anticholinergic toxicity.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Brompheniramine
Other interactions of Doxepin
- Doxepin + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Doxepin + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Brompheniramine with Doxepin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Brompheniramine and Doxepin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs cause sedation, and doxepin is also strongly anticholinergic. Taking them together can produce excessive drowsiness, impaired psychomotor performance and additive anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention and confusion, particularly in older adults.
How serious is the interaction between Brompheniramine and Doxepin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Warn the patient about drowsiness and avoid driving or operating machinery. Consider a non-sedating antihistamine, and monitor older patients for anticholinergic toxicity.
What other medicines interact with Brompheniramine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Brompheniramine with, for example, Alfentanil, Belladonna and opium, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Brompheniramine page.
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