Virtussin A / C

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

• If you have an allergy to guaifenesin, codeine, or any other part of Virtussin A/C.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have any of these health problems: Lung or breathing problems like asthma, trouble breathing, or sleep apnea; high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood; or stomach or bowel block or narrowing.
• If you have a cough with a lot of mucous.
• If you have a long-term cough caused by smoking or being around smoke, or lung problems like asthma or emphysema.
• If you have taken certain drugs used for low mood (depression) like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine or drugs used for Parkinson's disease like selegiline or rasagiline in the last 14 days. Taking this medicine within 14 days of those drugs can cause very bad high blood pressure.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, or pentazocine.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Virtussin A/C.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Virtussin A/C with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

• 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 use longer than you have been told by the doctor.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how Virtussin A/C affects you.
• 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.
• Do not take this medicine with other strong pain drugs or if you are using a pain patch without talking to your doctor first.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Virtussin A/C.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
• Different brands of Virtussin A/C (guaifenesin and codeine) may have different doses for children. Talk with the doctor before giving this medicine to a child.
• The chance of very bad side effects may be higher in children. This may be more likely to happen in children who have breathing problems. Deadly breathing problems have happened with the use of codeine in some children. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking Virtussin A/C, call your doctor right away.
• 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.

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.

• Store at room temperature.
• 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.

Applies to codeine / guaifenesin: oral capsule, oral liquid, oral syrup, oral tablet

General

The more commonly reported adverse effects of codeine include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Guaifenesin is generally well tolerated.

Nervous system

Codeine
Frequency not reported: CNS depression, lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, headache, convulsions, weakness[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Codeine
Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, bradycardia, palpitation, faintness, syncope, orthostatic hypotension, circulatory depression

Gastrointestinal

Codeine
Frequency not reported: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, biliary tract spasm, increased colonic motility, toxic dilation

Guaifenesin:
Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain (upper), diarrhea, nausea, vomiting[Ref]

Genitourinary

Codeine
Frequency not reported: Oliguria, urinary retention, antidiuretic effect[Ref]

Dermatologic

Codeine-induced rash may be related to direct stimulation of histamine release.[Ref]

Codeine:
Frequency not reported: Rash

Guaifenesin:
Frequency not reported: Rash[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Codeine
Frequency not reported: Pruritus, giant urticaria, angioneurotic edema, laryngeal edema

Guaifenesin:
Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions (pruritus, urticaria)

Ocular

Codeine
Frequency not reported: Visual disturbances

Psychiatric

Codeine
Frequency not reported: Euphoria, dysphoria, transient hallucination, disorientation

Respiratory

Codeine:
Frequency not reported: Respiratory depression[Ref]

Respiratory depression and death have occurred in children who received codeine in the postoperative period following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Further investigation has shown these patients to be ultra-rapid metabolizers of codeine. Children with obstructive sleep apnea who are treated with codeine appear to be particularly sensitive to the respiratory depressant effects of codeine.[Ref]

Some side effects of Virtussin A / C may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.