What is dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
Dihydrocodeine is in a group of drugs called narcotics. It is a cough suppressant that affects the
signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it
easier to cough out through your mouth.
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated
blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
The combination of dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine is used to treat cough,
nasal, and sinus congestion, and to reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold, infections, or
allergies.
Dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine may also be used for other purposes not
listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if
you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely take dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine:
-
liver or kidney disease;
-
heart disease or high blood pressure;
-
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
-
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
diabetes;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
low blood pressure;
-
gallbladder disease;
-
Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
-
enlarged prostate, urination problems;
-
mental illness; or
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an
unborn baby.
Do not use
dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine without
your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.
This medication may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Dihydrocodeine may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for
. Dihydrocodeine should never be shared with another person, especially
someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where
others cannot get to it. Dihydrocodeine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the
household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
How should I take dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
Take this medication exactly as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the
medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cough or cold medicine is
usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child.
Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children.
Measure the liquid form of this medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are
taking this medication.
Take dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine with food if it upsets your
stomach.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you
have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cold
medicine within the past few days.
Store this medicine at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
Since cough or cold medicine is usually taken only as needed, you may not be on a dosing
schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly
scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
Your pharmacist has information about dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
-
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
-
shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
-
seizure (convulsions);
-
cold, clammy skin;
-
severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness,
tremors;
-
confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills,
body aches, flu symptoms; or
-
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision,
trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dizziness or headache;
-
constipation;
-
nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, mild loss of appetite;
-
feeling excited or restless;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin; or
-
skin rash or itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child.
Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if
you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not take this medication with alcohol, other narcotic pain medications, sedatives,
tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing.
Dangerous side effects may result.
Dihydrocodeine may be habit-forming and
should be used only by the person it
was prescribed for
. Dihydrocodeine should never be shared with another person, especially
someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where
others cannot get to it.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough or cold medication without first asking your
doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one
or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains
guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine.
What should I avoid while taking dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol can increase some of
the side effects of dihydrocodeine.
Do not take this medication with narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle
relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects
may result.
Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without
your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with a decongestant can increase your risk of
unpleasant side effects.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or cough medicine without first asking
your doctor or pharmacist. Guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine are contained in many medicines
available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of
a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains guaifenesin or
pseudoephedrine.
What other drugs will affect dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
Before taking dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you are
using any of the following drugs:
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
methyldopa (Aldomet);
-
medicines to treat high blood pressure;
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
-
zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT);
-
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol
(Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol
(Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others;
-
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine
(Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others;
-
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or
thioridazine (Mellaril); or
-
seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or
phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can affect
dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine. 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.
What happens if I have an overdose of dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
