Drug interactions
Brompheniramine + Opium tincture
Severity: Major
Brompheniramine and Opium tincture: major interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Opium tincture contains morphine and other opioid alkaloids, and combining it with a sedating antihistamine can add to sedation and respiratory depression. Anticholinergic effects may add to constipation and urinary retention.
What this interaction means in plain words
Brompheniramine and Opium tincture can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression, plus additive antimuscarinic effects on gut and bladder.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation and respiratory rate. Avoid alcohol and other sedatives, and consider a non-sedating antihistamine.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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References
Other interactions of Brompheniramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Brompheniramine with Opium tincture?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Brompheniramine and Opium tincture can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Opium tincture contains morphine and other opioid alkaloids, and combining it with a sedating antihistamine can add to sedation and respiratory depression. Anticholinergic effects may add to constipation and urinary retention.
How serious is the interaction between Brompheniramine and Opium tincture?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation and respiratory rate. Avoid alcohol and other sedatives, and consider a non-sedating antihistamine.
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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