Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin

Name: Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin

Uses of Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin

  • It is used to thin mucus so it can be taken from the body by coughing.
  • It is used to relieve coughing.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin?

  • Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of very bad side effects.
  • Do not take hydrocodone and guaifenesin for longer than you were told by your doctor.
  • Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for alertness while you take this medicine. Talk with your doctor.
  • To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
  • This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
  • If you have been taking hydrocodone and guaifenesin on a regular basis and you stop it all of a sudden, you may have signs of withdrawal. Do not stop taking this medicine all of a sudden without calling your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any bad effects.
  • Do not take hydrocodone and guaifenesin with other strong pain drugs or if you are using a pain patch without talking to your doctor first.
  • Keep away from children. Accidental exposure may cause death. If a child takes this medicine by accident, get medical help right away.
  • This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take hydrocodone and guaifenesin.
  • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
  • The use of hydrocodone in children younger than 6 years has led to deadly breathing problems. Talk with the doctor.
  • This medicine is not approved for use in children younger than 18 years of age. Talk with the doctor.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using hydrocodone and guaifenesin while you are pregnant.
  • Using this medicine for a long time during pregnancy may lead to withdrawal in the newborn baby. This can be life-threatening. Talk with the doctor.
  • Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. This medicine passes into breast milk and may harm your baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child's doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Very bad dizziness or passing out.
  • Chest pain or pressure or a fast heartbeat.
  • Feeling confused.
  • A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
  • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
  • Mood changes.
  • Seizures.
  • Very bad belly pain.
  • Very bad headache.
  • Trouble passing urine.
  • Shakiness.
  • Change in eyesight.
  • Very upset stomach or throwing up.
  • Very hard stools (constipation).
  • Feeling very tired or weak.
  • Feeling very sleepy.
  • This medicine may cause very bad and sometimes deadly breathing problems. Call your doctor right away if you have slow, shallow, or trouble breathing.

How do I store and/or throw out Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin?

  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from light.
  • Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
  • Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

  • If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
  • Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
  • Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
  • Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
  • This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this medicine is refilled. If you have any questions about hydrocodone and guaifenesin, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
  • This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about hydrocodone and guaifenesin. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using hydrocodone and guaifenesin.

Review Date: October 4, 2017

Pharmacologic Category

  • Antitussive/Expectorant

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to hydrocodone, guaifenesin, or any component of the formulation; concomitant MAOI therapy or within 14 days of discontinuing a MAOI.

Documentation of allergenic cross-reactivity for opioids is limited. However, because of similarities in chemical structure and/or pharmacologic actions, the possibility of cross-sensitivity cannot be ruled out with certainty.

ALERT U.S. Boxed Warning

Risks from concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants:

Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Avoid use of opioid cough medications in patients taking benzodiazepines, other CNS depressants, or alcohol.

Monitoring Parameters

Relief of cough.

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