Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making
it easier to cough out through your mouth.
Guaifenesin is used to reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold, infections, or
allergies.
Guaifenesin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking guaifenesin (oral)?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to guaifenesin.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication 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 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.
How should I take guaifenesin (oral)?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do
not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
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.
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you
are taking this medication.
Take guaifenesin with food if it upsets your stomach.
Measure the liquid form of guaifenesin 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.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open a controlled-release, delayed-release, or
extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release
medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to
be released at one time.
Store guaifenesin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight.
What happens if I miss a dose of guaifenesin (oral)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about guaifenesin (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about guaifenesin (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of guaifenesin (oral)?
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.
Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness or headache,
a rash, or
nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about guaifenesin (oral)?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to guaifenesin.
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do
not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
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.
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you
are taking this medication.
This medication 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.
What should I avoid while taking guaifenesin (oral)?
This medication 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.
What other drugs will affect guaifenesin (oral)?
There may be other drugs that can interact with guaifenesin. Tell your doctor about all
your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and
drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of guaifenesin (oral)?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009