Elixophyllin-GG

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to guaifenesin or theophylline, or if you have:

• a stomach ulcer; or

• epilepsy or another seizure disorder.

Before taking guaifenesin and theophylline, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• a heart rhythm disorder;

• congestive heart failure;

• fluid in your lungs;

• a thyroid disorder;

• fever;

• liver disease; or

• kidney disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Guaifenesin and theophylline can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, headache, sleep problems, tremors, irritability, restlessness, fast heart rate, or seizure (convulsions).

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking guaifenesin and theophylline. Alcohol can increase some of the side effects of this medication.

Do not start or stop smoking without first talking to your doctor. Smoking changes the way your body uses theophylline, and you may need a dose adjustment.

Avoid eating grilled or char-broiled foods. These foods may affect how theophylline works. Talk to your doctor before making changes in your diet.

Avoid caffeine (such as in coffee, tea, or cola), which can increase the side effects of theophylline.

Many drugs can interact with guaifenesin and theophylline. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

• birth control pills;

• ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E.E.S, E-Mycin, others), levofloxacin (Levaquin), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane);

• a thyroid hormone such as levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, others);

• an interferon product such as Intron A, Alferon N, Infergen, Roferon-A, Betaseron, Avonex, Actimmune, and others;

• a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR, Tiazac), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Verelan, Calan, Isoptin), and others;

• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal), timolol (Blocadren), and others;

• asthma medication such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, Volmax, others), salmeterol (Serevent), and others;

• a diuretic (water pill); or

• seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).

There are many other medicines that can interact with guaifenesin and theophylline. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.