Brompheniramine is an antihistaminergic medication of the propylamine class. It is a first-generation antihistamine, which is used for the treatment of the symptoms of the common cold and allergic rhinitis, such as runny nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and sneezing. In allergic reactions, an allergen interacts with and cross-links surface IgE antibodies on mast cells and basophils. Once the mast cell-antibody-antigen complex is formed, a complex series of events occurs that eventually leads to cell-degranulation and the release of histamine (and other chemical mediators) from the mast cell or basophil. Once released, histamine can react with local or widespread tissues through histamine receptors. Brompheniramine is a histamine H1 antagonist of the alkylamine class. It provides effective, temporary relief of sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, and runny nose due to hay fever and other upper respiratory allergies. Brompheniramine is metabolised by cytochrome P450s. The halogenated alkylamine antihistamines all exhibit optic isomerism and brompheniramine products contain racemic brompheniramine maleate whereas dexbrompheniramine (Drixoral) is the dextrorotary (right-handed) stereoisomer.

DEXBROMPHENIRAMINE is an alkylamine derivative with anticholinergic and sedative properties. It is a histamine H1-receptor antagonist that competes with histamine for the H1-receptor sites on effector cells in the gastrointestinal tract, blood vessels, and respiratory tract. The antagonistic action of this agent blocks the activities of endogenous histamine, which subsequently leads to temporary relief from the negative histamine-mediated symptoms of an allergic reaction such as bronchoconstriction, vasodilation, increased capillary permeability and spasmodic contractions of the gastrointestinal smooth muscle. DEXBROMPHENIRAMINE as a part of combination medicine is used to treat symptoms of the common cold or seasonal allergies, including sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes.