Guaifenesin/Ephedrine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: expectorant; decongestant

Generic and brand names: guaifenesin and ephedrine, oral; Broncholate; Bronkaid Dual Action Formula Coated Caplets; Primatene Bronchial Asthma Relief Tablets

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to relieve coughs and congestion due to common colds or other chest infections. Guaifenesin is an expectorant used to help bring up mucus from the lungs and thin secretions. Ephedrine is used to relieve a stuffy nose.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a thyroid disorder
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• seizures
• trouble urinating or enlarged prostate

Do not take this medicine for coughs from smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or if you already cough up a lot of phlegm unless your healthcare provider approves.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

This medicine comes in liquid and tablet forms. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. If your healthcare provider has not given you specific instructions, follow the directions that come with the medicine package. Do not take more or take it longer than prescribed.

Drink plenty of water with this medicine to help loosen the mucus or phlegm in the lungs.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: irregular heartbeat, restlessness, seizures, slow breathing, vomiting.

What should I watch out for?

Do not give a child under age 4 any cough and cold medicines unless specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms have not improved within a few days.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Trouble urinating, chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeat.

Other: Dizziness, nausea, stomach cramps, constipation, increased sweating, nervousness, restlessness, trouble sleeping, headache.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), pindolol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), sotalol (Betapace), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), and carvedilol (Coreg)
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), isradipine (DynaCirc), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), felodipine (Plendil), and nicardipine (Cardene)
• herbal remedies such as ephedra, green tea, guarana, and yohimbe
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take a MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.