Guaifenesin/decon/narc/ antitussive/antihistamine

Products that contain codeine or dihydrocodeine should not be used in children after certain surgeries (including tonsil/adenoid removal). Also, for children younger than 12 years, do not use codeine or dihydrocodeine to treat cough or pain unless specifically directed by the doctor. Some children are more sensitive to codeine or dihydrocodeine and have had very serious (rarely fatal) breathing problems such as slow/shallow breathing (see also Side Effects section). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the risks and benefits of this medication.

See also Warning section.This combination product is used to treat symptoms caused by the common cold, flu, allergies, hay fever, or other breathing illnesses (e.g., sinusitis, bronchitis). Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps to thin and loosen mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up the mucus. Decongestants relieve stuffy nose symptoms. This product also contains a narcotic cough suppressant (antitussive) that affects a certain part of the brain, reducing the urge to cough. Antihistamines relieve watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, runny nose, and sneezing.This medication is not usually used for ongoing coughs from smoking, asthma, other long-term breathing problems (e.g., 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. Therefore, this product is not recommended to treat cold symptoms in children younger than 6 years. Some products (including some 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. Giving more than the recommended dose or using this medication along with other cough-and-cold products has resulted in serious (even fatal) side effects, including slowed/stopped breathing. Talk to the doctor or pharmacist before giving other cough-and-cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients (see also Drug Interactions section). Ask about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier or saline nose drops/spray). Do not use this product to make a child sleepy.

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any of its ingredients; 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: abdominal problems (e.g., chronic constipation, ileus, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis), adrenal gland problem (e.g., Addison's disease), certain brain disorders (e.g., head injury, tumor, increased intracranial pressure), breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema, sleep apnea), diabetes, a certain eye problem (glaucoma), heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver disease, mental/mood problems (e.g., depression, psychosis), seizures, stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., ulcers, blockage), thyroid problems (e.g., hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism), urination problems (e.g., trouble urinating due to enlarged prostate, urinary retention), use/abuse of drugs/alcohol.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit the use of alcohol and certain other medications that cause drowsiness. (See also Drug Interactions.)To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.This medication may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of this product.Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of antihistamines. In young children, this medication may cause agitation/excitement instead of drowsiness. Children may also be more sensitive to the side effects of the narcotic cough suppressant, especially extreme sleepiness, confusion, or slow/shallow/noisy breathing. (See also Warning section.)Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and slow/shallow breathing.Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, take the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea.This product may pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Products that contain codeine or dihydrocodeine may rarely have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Tell the doctor right away if your infant develops increased sleepiness, trouble breast-feeding, trouble breathing, or unusual limpness. If your product contains codeine or dihydrocodeine, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breast-feeding.

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.Some products that may interact with this drug include: anticholinergic drugs (e.g., benztropine, belladonna alkaloids), antihistamines applied to the skin (such as diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray), beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol), guanethidine, certain inhaled anesthetics (e.g., halothane), memantine, methyldopa, narcotic antagonists (e.g., naltrexone, naloxone), reserpine, scopolamine, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine).Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, 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.Guaifenesin is available in both prescription and nonprescription products. Check the labels on all your medications carefully to make sure you are not taking more than one guaifenesin-containing product.The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, medicine for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine).Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could affect your heart rate/blood pressure or cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.This medication may interfere with certain urine laboratory tests (e.g., 5-HIAA levels, VMA levels, amylase/lipase levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze. 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.

Reviewed on 4/16/2014 References