Guaifenesin (patient information)

IMPORTANT WARNING
[Posted 01/12/2007] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) article describing three deaths in U.S. infants aged less than 12 months associated with cough and cold medications. These medications were determined by medical examiners or coroners to be the underlying cause of death. The cases described in this report underscore the need for clinicians to use caution when prescribing and caregivers to use caution when administering cough and cold medications to children aged less than 2 years.

Why this medication is prescribed
Guaifenesin thins the mucus in the air passages and makes it easier to cough up the mucus and clear the airways, allowing you to breathe more easily. It relieves the coughs of colds, bronchitis, and other lung infections.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used
Guaifenesin comes as a regular and extended-release (long-acting) tablet and capsule and liquid to take by mouth. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take guaifenesin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Do not break, crush, or chew extended-release tablets and do not open extended-release capsules; swallow them whole.

Drink plenty of fluid while taking this medication (unless your doctor has directed you to limit the amount of fluid you drink). Guaifenesin comes alone and in combination with antihistamines, cough suppressants, and decongestants. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which form is best for your symptoms.

If your symptoms do not improve within 7 days or if you have a high fever, rash, or persistent headache, call your doctor.

Special precautions
Before taking guaifenesin:


 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to guaifenesin or any other drugs.
 * tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including vitamins.
 * tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, or diabetes.
 * tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking guaifenesin, call your doctor.

What to do if you forget a dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects
Guaifenesin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:


 * headache
 * upset stomach
 * vomiting

Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
See the MedWatch notification at the beginning of the monograph.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

 * Brontex®
 * Cheracol® Syrup
 * Diabetic Tussin® EX
 * Dyflex®-G
 * Dy-G®
 * Dyphylline GG®
 * Dyphylline GG® Elixir
 * Elixophyllin®-GG
 * Ganidin® NR
 * Gani-Tuss® NR
 * Guaifenesin AC® Liquid
 * Guiatuss AC® Syrup
 * Guiatuss® Syrup
 * Halotussin® AC
 * Humibid® Pediatric
 * Hytuss®
 * Hytuss-2X®
 * Lufyllin®-GG
 * Lufyllin®-GG Elixir
 * Mucinex®
 * Mytussin® AC Cough Syrup
 * Naldecon® Senior EX
 * Organidin® NR
 * Phanasin® Diabetic Choice®
 * Quibron®
 * Robitussin A-C® Syrup
 * Robitussin®
 * Tussi-Organidin® NR
 * Tussi-Organidin®-S NR
 * X-Pect®

Brand names of combination products
Ncontaining Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Anatuss® LA containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Broncholate® Syrup containing Guaifenesin and Ephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Bronkaid® Dual Action Caplets® containing Guaifenesin and Ephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Congestac® Caplets® containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Defen®-LA containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * D-Feda® II containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Donatussin® Pediatric Drops containing Guaifenesin, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
 * Duratuss® containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Duratuss® GP containing Guaifenesin and Pseudophedrine Hydrochloride
 * Endal® containing Guaifenesin and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
 * Entex® PSE containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Eudal®-SR containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Guaifed® Syrup containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Guaifed®-PD containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Guaifed-PD® containing Guaifenesin and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
 * Guaifenex® PSE 120 containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Guaifenex® PSE 60 containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Guaifenex®-Rx 14-Day Treatment Regimen containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * GuaiMax-D® containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * PediaCare® Decongestant Plus Cough Infant's Drops containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Primatene® containing Guaifenesin and Ephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Profen® Forte containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Profen® II containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Rescon® GG containing Guaifenesin and Phenylephrine
 * Respa-1st® containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Respaire®-120 SR containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Respaire®-60 SR containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Robitussin® Cold Severe Congestion Liqui-Gels® containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Robitussin-PE® containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Sinutab® Non-Drowsy Non-Drying Sinus Liquid Caps containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Sudafed® Non-Drying Sinus Liquid Caps containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Touro LA® LA Caplets® containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Triaminic® Chest and Ncontaining Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Zephrex® containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
 * Zephrex-LA® containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride