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| Pronunciation |
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 (gwye
FEN e sin & deks troe meth
OR fan) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Benylin® Expectorant [OTC];
Cheracol® D [OTC]; Clear Tussin® 30; Diabetic Tussin
DM®[OTC]; Extra Action Cough Syrup [OTC]; Fenesin™ DM;
Genatuss DM®[OTC]; Glycotuss-dM®[OTC]; Guaifenex® DM;
GuiaCough®[OTC]; Guiatuss-DM®[OTC]; Halotussin® DM
[OTC]; Humibid® DM [OTC]; Iobid DM®; Kolephrin® GG/DM
[OTC]; Monafed® DM; Muco-Fen-DM®; Mytussin® DM [OTC];
Naldecon® Senior DX [OTC]; Phanatuss® Cough Syrup [OTC];
Phenadex® Senior [OTC]; Respa®-DM;
Rhinosyn-DMX®[OTC]; Robafen DM®[OTC]; Robitussin®-DM
[OTC]; Safe Tussin® 30 [OTC]; Scot-Tussin® Senior Clear [OTC];
Siltussin DM®[OTC]; Synacol® CF [OTC];
Syracol-CF®[OTC]; Tolu-Sed® DM [OTC];
Tusibron-DM®[OTC]; Tuss-DM®[OTC]; Tussi-Organidin® DM
NR; Uni-tussin® DM [OTC]; Vicks® 44E [OTC]; Vicks®
Pediatric Formula 44E
[OTC] |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antitussive; Cough Preparation; Expectorant |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to guaifenesin, dextromethorphan, or any other
part of the medicine.
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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.
- Dextromethorphan is used to stop the
coughing.
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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.
- Dextromethorphan affects the cough reflex in the
brain.
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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.
- Swallow sustained-release tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- A liquid (syrup) 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.
- Not for coughs due to smoking, asthma, or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease.
- 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.
- 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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