What is dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin?
Dihydrocodeine is a narcotic cough suppressant. It affects signals in the brain that trigger the
cough reflex.
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it
easier to cough out through your mouth.
The combination of dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin is used to treat cough and to reduce chest
congestion caused by allergies, flu, or the common cold.
Dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or
emphysema.
Dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin?
Do not take this medication if you have taken furazolidone (Furoxone), sodium oxybate
(GHB, Xyrem), or an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline
(Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)
within the past 14 days.
Serious or life-threatening side effects can occur if you take dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin
before these other medications have cleared from your body.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to dihydrocodeine or guaifenesin, or if
you have:
-
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
-
ischemic heart disease (reduced circulation of blood to the
heart);
-
stomach ulcer;
-
a blockage in your intestines;
-
urination problems;
-
narrow angle glaucoma;
-
if you are having an asthma attack; or
-
if you are allergic to other narcotic medications such as
codeine (Tylenol 3), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone),
meperidine (Demerol), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), oxycodone (OxyContin), and
others.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special
tests to safely use this medication. Before you take dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin, tell your doctor if
you have:
-
heart disease, high or low blood pressure;
-
circulation problems or a history of stroke;
-
asthma, COPD, emphysema, or other breathing disorders;
-
kidney or liver disease;
-
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
diabetes;
-
a gallbladder or pancreas problem;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
glaucoma;
-
enlarged prostate, urination problems;
-
Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
-
a history of stomach problems such as ulcers, intestinal
blockage, ulcerative colitis, or any surgeries; or
-
a history of drug or alcohol addiction, or suicidal thoughts.
FDA pregnancy category C. Dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin may be
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin passes into breast milk or if it 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.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.
How should I take dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin?
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.
You may take this medication with or without food.
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are
taking this medication.
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.
Take dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin 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.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor
who treats you that you are taking an antihistamine.
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 and guaifenesin?
Cough or cold medicine is usually taken only as needed, so 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 and guaifenesin?
Your pharmacist has information about dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin?
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 or uneven heart rate;
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
-
severe dizziness or drowsiness, feeling irritable;
-
shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
-
painful or difficult urination; or
-
seizure (convulsions).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
-
constipation;
-
increased sweating;
-
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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin?
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 take this medication if you have taken furazolidone (Furoxone), sodium oxybate
(GHB, Xyrem), or an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline
(Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)
within the past 14 days.
Serious or life-threatening side effects can occur if you take dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin
before these other medications have cleared from your body.
You also should not take dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin if you have severe high blood
pressure, ischemic heart disease, stomach ulcer, blocked intestines, urination problems, narrow angle
glaucoma, or if you are having an asthma attack or are allergic to other narcotic medications (Lortab,
Vicodin, OxyContin, Demerol, and others).
Do not take dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin 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.
What should I avoid while taking dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin?
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking this medication. Alcohol can increase some of
the side effects of dihydrocodeine.
Dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin 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 getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly
and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or cough medicine without first asking
your doctor or pharmacist. Guaifenesin is 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.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.
What other drugs will affect dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin?
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.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you take, especially:
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
methyldopa (Aldomet);
-
mecamylamine (Inversine);
-
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol
(Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol),
nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others;
-
HIV or AIDS medicine such as amprenavir (Agenerase),
atazanavir (Reyataz), darunavir (Prezista), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva),
indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase,
Fortovase); or
-
phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine),
fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine
(Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan, Adgan, Anergan 50, Pentazine), thioridazine (Mellaril),
or trifluperazine (Stelazine).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
dihydrocodeine and guaifenesin. 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 and guaifenesin?
