This combination medication is used to temporarily treat
cough, chest congestion, and stuffy nose symptoms caused by the common
cold, flu, allergies, hay fever, or other breathing illnesses (such as
sinusitis, bronchitis). Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps to thin
and loosen mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up the mucus.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that affects a certain part of the
brain (cough center), reducing the urge to cough. This product also
contains a decongestant, which helps relieve stuffy nose
symptoms.
This medication is usually not used for ongoing coughs
from smoking, asthma, other long-term breathing problems (such as
emphysema), or coughs with a lot of mucus, unless directed by your
doctor.
Cough-and-cold products have not been shown to be safe
or effective in children younger than 6 years. Do not use this product to
treat cold symptoms in children younger than 6 years unless specifically
directed by the doctor. Some products (such as long-acting
tablets/capsules) are not recommended for use in children younger than 12
years. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details about using your
product safely.
These products do not cure or shorten the length of the
common cold and may cause serious side effects. To decrease the risk for
serious side effects, carefully follow all dosage directions. Do not use
this product to make a child sleepy. Do not give other cough-and-cold
medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients (see also
Drug Interactions section). Ask the doctor or pharmacist about other ways
to relieve cough and cold symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids, using a
humidifier or saline nose drops/spray).
If you are taking the over-the-counter product, read all
directions on the product package before taking this medication. If you
have any questions, consult your pharmacist. If your doctor has prescribed
this medication, take it as directed.
Take the tablet, capsule, or liquid form by mouth with
or without food. Follow the directions for dosing on the label, or take as
directed by your doctor. Drink plenty of fluids when you use this
medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The fluid will help
loosen the mucus in your lungs. This medication can be taken with food if
stomach upset occurs.
If you are using the liquid form, use a medication
measuring device to carefully measure the prescribed dose. Do not use a
household spoon. If your liquid form is a suspension, shake the bottle well
before each dose.
If you are using sustained-release tablets or capsules,
swallow the medication whole. Do not crush or chew the tablets or capsules.
Doing so can destroy the long action of the drug and may increase side
effects.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and
response to treatment.
Improper use of this medication (abuse) may result in
serious harm (such as brain damage, seizure, death). Do not increase your
dose or take this medication more often than recommended by your doctor or
the package instructions without your doctor's approval.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts for more than 1
week, if it gets worse, or if it occurs with a headache that doesn't go
away, a fever, or a rash. These may be symptoms of a serious medical
problem and should be checked by a doctor.
Dizziness, headache, nausea, nervousness, or trouble
sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, contact your
doctor or pharmacist promptly.
If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember
that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations)
- shaking (tremors)
- weakness
- fast/slow/irregular heartbeat
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic
reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- breathing problems (such as asthma, emphysema)
- diabetes
- a certain eye problem (glaucoma)
- heart problems
- high blood pressure
- kidney problems
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- trouble urinating (for example, due to enlarged
prostate)
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Liquid preparations of this product may contain sugar,
aspartame, and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol
dependence, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition
that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your
doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially dizziness, difficulty urinating, fast/irregular
heartbeat, trouble sleeping, confusion, or mental/mood
changes.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only if
clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
This medication may pass into breast milk. Consult your
doctor before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Taking certain MAO inhibitors with this medication may
cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking
isocarboxazid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine,
procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, or tranylcypromine during
treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be
taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor
when to start or stop taking this medication.
A product that may interact with this drug
is:
The ingredients in this product are available in many
prescription and nonprescription products. Check the labels on all your
medications carefully to make sure you are not taking more than one product
with the same ingredient(s). Consult your pharmacist if you are unsure of
the ingredients in any of your medications.
This medication may interfere with certain medical/lab
tests (including urine 5-HIAA/VMA levels, brain scan for Parkinson's
disease), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and
all your doctors know you use this drug.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include:
agitation, confusion, hallucinations, seizures.
If your doctor has prescribed this medication, do not
share it with others.
Keep all medical and lab appointments.
If you are prescribed this medication on a regular
schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near
the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the
regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze liquid forms of this
medication. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.