What is Guaifenesin and phenylephrine?
This leaflet does not list all the brands or forms of guaifenesin or phenylephrine.Guaifenesin acts as an expectorant. Guaifenesin helps to loosen up congestion in the chest and throat, making it easier for you to cough through your mouth.Decongestant phenylephrine shrinks the blood vessels of the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause congestion in the nasal passages.Combination medicine Guaifenesin phenylephrine treats stuffy noses, sinus congestion, and chest congestion due to the common flu or cold.This medication guide does not list all possible uses for phenylephrine and guaifenesin.
Side effects of Guaifenesin and phenylephrine
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat.
Guaifenesin can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
- Severe anxiety, or nervousness.
Guaifenesin (phenylephrine) and its side effects include:
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
- Nausea, vomiting.
- Feeling excited or restless, especially in children
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Headache, dizziness.
There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects; otherwise contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
mometasone nasal, bromfed DM, brompheniramine, dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, Nasonex Allergy 24HR, Vicks Dayquil Cold & Fever Relief, Mucinex D, and Promethazine VC containing codeine
Warnings
This medication should not be given to children younger than four years of age. Ask a doctor first before giving cough or cold medication to your child. Children as young as 4 years old can die from the misuse of cough and cold medicines.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to phenylephrine and guaifenesin, do not use them.If you've taken MAO inhibitors in the last 14 days, avoid using guaifenesin or phenylephrine. A dangerous medication interaction may occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), phenelzine (rasagiline), selegiline (tranylcypromine), and rasagiline.
If you suffer from:
- High blood pressure, heart disease, and coronary artery disease
- Diabetes;
- Circulation problems
- Glaucoma;
- Overactive thyroid gland;
- An enlarged prostate or problems with urination
This medication is not known to be harmful to an unborn child. If you are pregnant, do not take guaifenesin or phenylephrine unless you have been advised by a doctor.Guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and other drugs can pass through breast milk to harm nursing babies. Decongestants can also reduce breast milk production. Do not use this medication without consulting a doctor if you are breastfeeding a child.Phenylalanine can be found in artificially sweetened liquid medicines. If you have phenylketonuria, check the label of your medication.
How to take Guaifenesin and phenylephrine?
Do not exceed the recommended dosage or duration. Use the recommended dose or duration. Do not exceed it. Cold or cough medicine is typically taken for only a few days until symptoms disappear.This medication should not be given to children younger than four years of age. Ask a doctor first before giving cough and cold medicine to children. Children as young as 4 years old can die from the misuse of cough and cold medicines.Use the provided dosing syringe or a dose-measuring cup or spoon to measure liquid medicines. Ask your pharmacist if you don't have a device for measuring doses.You should not open, crush, chew, or break an extended-release capsule or tablet. Swallow the capsule or tablet whole.While taking this medication, drink extra fluids in order to loosen congestion and lubricate the throat.If your symptoms don't improve within 7 days or you have a headache, a cough, or a skin rash, call your doctor.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for nasal congestion and cough:
Dose referred to by strength of guaiFENesin/phenylephrine (in mg) per unit of measurement:
Oral liquids:
100/5 per 5 mL: 10 mL every 4 hours, maximum 6 doses per day
Oral Tablets
385/10 per tablet: 1 tablet every 4 hours, maximum 6 doses per day.
388/10 per tablet: 1 tablet every 4 hours, maximum 6 doses per day.
395/10 per tablet: 1 tablet every 4 hours, maximum 6 doses per day
The usual paediatric dose for nasal congestion and cough:
Dose referred to by strength of guaiFENesin/phenylephrine (in mg) per unit of measurement:
Oral liquids:
50/2.5 per 1 mL:
Under 6 years old: 1 mL every four hours. maximum of six doses per day.
100/5 per 5 mL:
12 years of age and older: 10 mL every four hours, maximum six doses per day
Maximum 6 doses a day for children aged 6–12 years.
Oral Tablets
385/10 per tablet:
12 years of age and older: Take 1 tablet every four hours. maximum of 6 doses per day.
Under 12: 1/2 tablet every four hours. maximum of 6 doses per week.
388/10 per tablet:
12 years of age and older: Take 1 tablet every four hours. maximum of 6 doses per day.
Under 12: 1/2 tablet every four hours. Maximum of six doses in a day.
395/10 per tablet:
12 years of age and older: Take 1 tablet every four hours. maximum of 6 doses per day.
Under 12: 1/2 tablet every four hours. Maximum of six doses a day.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You may not have a regular schedule of dosages, as guaifenesin and phenylephrine are taken only when necessary. Take the missed dose immediately if you take the medication regularly. If your next scheduled dosage is near, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
This medication can affect your ability to think or react. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires you to remain alert.Alcohol can enhance certain side effects from guaifenesin or phenylephrine.Before using any other allergy or cough medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Many combination medicines contain guaifenesin or phenylephrine. You can get too much medication from certain products when you combine them.
Interaction with other drug
Before using guaifenesin or phenylephrine, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you also use any other medications, such as vitamins and herbal remedies. When used together, some medicines can have unwanted or harmful effects. This medication guide does not list all possible interactions.This medicine can have a negative effect if taken with drugs that cause you to sleep or slow down your breathing. You should consult your doctor before combining guaifenesin with phenylephrine and other drugs that cause sleepiness or slow breathing.
