What is Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
This leaflet does not list all the brands or forms of pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin.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.The decongestant pseudoephedrine shrinks the blood vessels within the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause congestion in the nasal passages.Guaifenesin combined with pseudoephedrine can be used to treat nasal congestion and sinus congestion and reduce chest congestion due to the common flu or cold.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin.
Side effects of Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing and swelling to lips, face, tongue or throat. Seek medical assistance immediately!
Guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
- Severe anxiety, or nervousness.
Guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine, and their side effects include:
- Dry mouth, nose, or throat
- Nausea, loss of appetite;
- 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; for more information contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report possible side effects.
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 medicines.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine, do not use it.If you've taken MAO inhibitors in the last 14 days, don't use pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin. A dangerous drug interaction may occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), phenelzine (rasagiline), selegiline (tranylcypromine), and rasagiline.
If you suffer from:
- Heart disease coronary arterial 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 pseudoephedrine unless you have been advised by a doctor.Guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine, 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 pseudoephedrine?
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.Chew the chewable tablet before swallowing it.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:
Take 1 tablet every 4 hours.
Maximum dose: 4 tablets per 24 hours.
Two tablets every 12 hours.
Maximum dose: 4 tablets per 24 hours.
Extended-release tablets of maximum strength (1200 mg/120 mg): Take one tablet every 12 hours.
Maximum dose: 2 tablets per 24 hours.
The usual paediatric dose for nasal congestion and cough:
Immediate Release Tablets
12 years of age and older: Take 1 tablet every 4 hours.
Maximum dose: 4 tablets per 24 hours.
From 6 to 12 years: half a tablet every 4 hours.
Maximum dose: 2 tablets per 24 hours.
Tablets with extended release (600 mg/60 mg):
Do not exceed 2 tablets every 12 hours for those aged 12 and over.
Maximum dose: 4 tablets per 24 hours.
Extended-release tablets of maximum strength (1200 mg/120 mg):
Twelve years and older: Take 1 tablet every 12 hours.
Maximum dose: 2 tablets per 24 hours.
25 mg/7.5 mg/mL liquid:
Under 2 years of age (11 to 21 kg), 2 mL every four to six hours
Maximum dose: 4 doses per 24 hours.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You may not have a schedule for guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine, as they 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 with pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin can have side effects.Before using any other cough, cold, or allergy medicines, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Many combination medicines contain pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin. You can get too much drug when you take certain products together.
Interaction with other drug
Before using this medication, 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 be worsened by other drugs, which make you sleepy and slow down your breathing. You should consult your doctor before using guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine in combination with sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicines, muscle relaxers, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
