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| Pronunciation |
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 (gwye
FEN e sin, fen il proe pa NOLE a
meen, & fen il EF rin) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Coldloc®; Contuss®;
Dura-Gest®; Enomine®; Entex®; Guaifenex®;
Guiatex® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Decongestant; Expectorant |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- There is a risk of stoke with use of phenylpropanolamine. The Food
and Drug Administration is asking drug companies to stop making products
containing phenylpropanolamine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- Guaifenesin is used to help bring up phlegm, thin secretions, and make
a cough productive.
- Phenylpropanolamine and phenylephrine are used to dry up nasal
stuffiness.
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| How does it work? |
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- Guaifenesin decreases the stickiness of the breathing tubes and allows
the fluid to flow more easily.
- Phenylpropanolamine and phenylephrine shrink swollen nasal tissue and
opens up passages. Sinus drainage is increased by
this.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with 1 glass of water unless healthcare provider decreases fluid
intake.
- A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with
caffeine.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- This medicine may also be taken on an as needed basis depending on
relief of symptoms, duration of cold, or
allergy.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Phenylpropanolamine and phenylephrine can cause inability to sleep.
- Not for coughs due to smoking, asthma, or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may
help.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the
same?
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- If cough continues for more than 1 week or tends to return.
- Severe headache.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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