Pheniramine maleate is an
antihistamine used to treat
allergic conditions such as
hay fever or
urticaria. It has relatively strong sedative effects, and may sometimes be used off-label as an over-the-counter sleeping pill in a similar manner to other sedating antihistamines such as
diphenhydramine. Derivatives of pheniramine are
chlorphenamine and
brompheniramine.
Pheniramine is generally sold in combination with other medications, rather than as a stand-alone drug, although some formulations are available containing pheniramine by itself. It is sold under the brand name Avil by the pharmaceutical company Aventis.
See also