Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine

Generic name: Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin, And Pseudoephedrine
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Usage of Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine is a combination medicine used to treat cough, stuffy nose, sinus congestion and chest congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

This medication may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have:

fast or uneven heart rate;

severe dizziness or anxiety, feeling like you might pass out;

severe headache;

mood changes;

fever; or

dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, chest pain, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Common side effects of dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine may include:

diarrhea;

dizziness, drowsiness;

sleep problems (insomnia); or

feeling nervous, restless, or irritable.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, or pseudoephedrine.

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine if you have:

high blood pressure or coronary artery disease;

diabetes;

glaucoma;

epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

enlarged prostate or urination problems;

pheochromocytoma (an adrenal gland tumor); or

cough with mucus, or cough caused by emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

It is not known whether dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine will harm an unborn baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

This medicine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Artificially sweetened cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.

Relate drugs

How to use Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine

Usual Adult Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion:

Dose referred to by strength of dextromethorphan/guaiFENesin/pseudoephedrine (in mg) per unit of measurement:Oral liquids (liquid/drops/solution/syrup):10/187/30 per 5 mL: 10 mL every 4 hours, maximum 4 doses per day15/200/30 per 5 mL: 5 to 10 mL every 6 hours, maximum 40 mL per dayOral solids:20/380/60 per tablet: 1 tablet every 4 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 30/400/30 per tablet: 1 tablet every 6 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 30/400/60 per tablet: 1 tablet every 6 hours, maximum 4 doses per day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion:

Dose referred to by strength of dextromethorphan/guaiFENesin/pseudoephedrine (in mg) per unit of measurement:Oral liquids (liquid/drops/solution/syrup):5/50/15 per 5 mL 6 to 12 years: 10 mL every 4 to 6 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 2 to under 6 years: 5 mL every 4 to 6 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 10/187/30 per 5 mL 2 to under 6 years: 2.5 mL every 4 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 6 to under 12 years: 5 mL every 4 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 12 years and older: 10 mL every 4 hours, maximum 4 doses per day15/200/30 per 5 mL 12+= 10 mL every 6 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 15/200/30 per 5 mL 12 years and older: 5 to 10 mL every 6 hours, maximum 40 mL per day6 to under 12 years: 2.5 to 5 mL every 6 hours, maximum 20 mL per day Oral solids:20/380/60 per tablet 12 years and older: 1 tablet every 4 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 6 to under 12 years: 1/2 tablet every 4 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 30/400/30 per tablet12 years and older: 1 tablet every 6 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 30/400/60 per tablet12 years and older: 1 tablet every 6 hours, maximum 4 doses per day 6 to under 12 years: 1/2 tablet every 6 hours, maximum 4 doses per day

Warnings

Do not use dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

What other drugs will affect Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking this medicine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

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