Why it 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 it Works
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 ...
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Why it 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.
Brand Names
Anatuss ® LA as a combination product containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Broncholate ® Syrup as a combination product containing Guaifenesin and Ephedrine Hydrochloride Bronkaid ® Dual Action Caplets ® as a combination product containing Guaifenesin and Ephedrine Hydrochloride Brontex ® Cheracol ® Syrup Congestac ® Caplets ® as a combination product containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Defen ® -LA as a combination product containing Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride D-Feda ® II as a combination product containing Guaifenesin and ...
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How it Works
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 ...
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Notification
[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. For more information visit the FDA website at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#coughcold and http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5601a1.htm .
Overdose
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.
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.
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Possible 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
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.
