Guaifenesin/Dextromethorphan, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: expectorant; antitussive

Generic and brand names: guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, oral; Allfen DM; Aquatabs DM Tabs; Benylin Expectorant Liquid; Cheracol D Cough Liquid; Cheracol Plus Liquid; Dex GG TR Tabs; Diabetic Tussin DM Syrup; Diabetic Tussin Maximum Strength DM; Drituss DM; Duratuss Dm Elixir; Extra Action Cough Syrup; Fenesin DM Tablets; Gani-Tuss DM NR Liquid; Genatuss DM Syrup; GFN 1200/DM 60 Tabs; Guaifenesin 1000mg and Dextromethorphan HBr 60mg LA Tabs; Guaifenesin DM NR Liquid; Guaifenesin DM Syrup; Guaifenex DM Tablets; Guiadrine DM Tabs; Guiatuss-DM Syrup; Humibid DM Tablets; Hydro-Tussin DM Liquid; Hydro-Tussin DM Liquid; Iobid DM Tablets; Kolephrin GG/DM Liquid; Maxi-Tussin DM Liquid; Mucinex DM; Muco Fen DM Tablets; Mytussin DM Liquid; Naldecon Senior DX; Phanatuss DM Syrup; Respa-DM Tablets; Robafen DM; Robitussin Cough and Congestion Formula Liquid; Robitussin DM Infant drops; Robitussin DM Liquid; Robitussin Sugar Free Cough Liquid; Safe Tussin 30 Liquid; Scot-Tussin Senior Clear Liquid; Siltussin DM Syrup; Sudal-DM tablets; SU-TUSS DM Liquid; Tolu-Sed DM Syrup; Touro DM tablets; Tuss DM Tablets; TUSSI-bid Tabs; Tussi-Organidin-DM NR Liquid; Vicks 44E Cough and Congestion Relief Liquid; Vicks Pediatric 44 E Cough and Chest Congestion Relief Liquid

What is this medicine used for?

This is a combination medicine taken by mouth to relieve coughs due to common colds or other chest infections or irritations. Guaifenesin is used to help bring up mucus from the lungs, thin secretions, and make a cough productive. Dextromethorphan is used to stop the coughing.

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
• breathing problems such as asthma or emphysema
• kidney or liver disease
• phenylketonuria (PKU). Some products contain phenylalanine.

Tell your healthcare provider if you smoke cigarettes. Smoking can change how this medicine works.

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 tablet and liquid (syrup) forms. Do not break, crush, or chew the extended-release tablets. Ask your pharmacist if you have the extended-release tablets.

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. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about anything you do not understand.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. Drink plenty of water while you are taking this medicine.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?:

Contact your healthcare provider if your cough has not improved after 7 days, or if you have a headache, fever, or rash that does not go away.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert. Alcohol may increase the risk of making you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The side effects of this medicine are mild and may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Other: Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness, headache, fever, rash, hives, drowsiness.

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:

• alcohol
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as selegiline (Eldepryl), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take a MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• disulfiram (Antabuse)
• metronidazole (Flagyl)
• quinidine
• SSRI antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil)
• sibutramine (Meridia).

While taking this medicine, do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. 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.