GUAIFENESIN/CODEINE - ORAL

  • Home
  • GUAIFENESIN/CODEINE - ORAL

GUAIFENESIN/CODEINE - ORAL

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (gweye-FEN-eh-sin/KO-deen)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Cheracol, Ninjacof-XG, Robitussin A-C

GENERIC NAME(S): codeine phosphate/guaifenesin

Uses

USES: This combination medication is used to temporarily treat coughing and chest congestion symptoms caused by the common cold, flu, or other breathing illnesses (e.g., sinusitis, bronchitis). Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps thin and loosen mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up the mucus. Codeine is an opioid cough suppressant (antitussive) that affects a certain part of the brain, reducing the urge to cough. This medication is not usually used for ongoing coughs from smoking, asthma, other long-term breathing problems (e.g., emphysema), or for coughs with a lot of mucus, unless directed by your doctor. Do not use this product in children younger than 18 years. There is a risk of serious (rarely fatal) side effects, such as breathing problems. Cough-and-cold products do not cure colds. Cough due to a common cold often does not need to be treated with medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms, such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier, or saline nose drops/spray.


How to use GUAIFENESIN/CODEINE - ORAL

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 4 to 6 hours as needed with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) or as directed by your doctor. This medication can be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. Drink plenty of fluids while you are using this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The fluid will help loosen the mucus in your lungs. If you are using the liquid form, use a medication-measuring device to carefully measure the prescribed dose. Do not use a household spoon. Some liquids need to be shaken before pouring each dose. Check your bottle or ask your pharmacist if your product needs to be shaken. Do not increase your dose or use this product more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase. This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time (more than a few weeks) or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety, restlessness, sweating, shaking chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions right away. Though it helps many people, this product has a risk for abuse and may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this product exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. When used for an extended time, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well. Tell your doctor if your condition persists for more than 1 week, if it worsens, or if it occurs with fever, rash, or persistent headache. These may be symptoms of a serious medical problem and should be checked by a doctor.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations), fast/irregular heartbeat, trouble urinating. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizure. Codeine is changed into a strong opioid drug (morphine) in your body. In some people, this change happens faster and more completely than usual, which increases the risk of very serious side effects. Get medical help right away if you notice any of the following: slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/difficulty waking up, confusion. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other side effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any of its ingredients; or to opioid pain relievers (e.g., morphine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: abdominal problems (e.g., chronic constipation, ileus, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis), adrenal gland problem (e.g., Addison's disease), brain disorders (e.g., seizures, head injury, tumor, increased intracranial pressure), breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema, sleep apnea), heart problems (e.g., irregular heartbeat), kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression, psychosis), obesity, a certain spinal problem (kyphoscoliosis), underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), trouble urinating (e.g., due to enlarged prostate or urethral stricture), personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana. To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Liquid forms of this medication may contain sugar, alcohol, or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to monitor/avoid these substances in your diet. Consult your doctor or pharmacist about using this medication safely. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and slow/shallow breathing. Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, take the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant, such as unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, trouble breathing, or unusual limpness. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS: See also Warning section. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: cimetidine, naltrexone. Guaifenesin is available in both prescription and nonprescription products. Check the labels on all your medications carefully to make sure you are not taking more than one product that contains guaifenesin. The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also cause drowsiness or breathing problems. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as other opioid pain or cough relievers (such as morphine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana, drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. Other medications can affect the removal of guaifenesin/codeine from your body, which may affect how guaifenesin/codeine works. Examples include azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole), bupropion, fluoxetine, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), HIV medications (such as ritonavir), paroxetine, quinidine, rifamycins (such as rifabutin, rifampin), certain drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among others. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (e.g., urine 5-HIAA levels, urine VMA levels, amylase/lipase levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, slow/shallow breathing, cold/clammy skin, coma.

Reviews

No Reviews Yet


Faq for GUAIFENESIN/CODEINE - ORAL

Guaifenesin/Codeine is a combination medication used to treat coughs and congestion caused by the common cold, flu, or other respiratory illnesses.

Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps loosen and thin mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up. Codeine is a narcotic cough suppressant that works by blocking the cough reflex in the brain.

Common side effects may include drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, and stomach upset.

Yes, codeine, an opioid present in Guaifenesin/Codeine, has the potential to be addictive. It should be used only as prescribed and for a short duration.

Follow the directions provided by your doctor or pharmacist. Typically, Guaifenesin/Codeine is taken by mouth with or without food. Do not exceed the recommended dosage or take it for a longer duration than prescribed.

It is important to inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medications you are currently taking. Certain medications, such as MAO inhibitors or sedatives, may interact with Guaifenesin/Codeine and cause serious side effects.

It is generally recommended to avoid using Guaifenesin/Codeine during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. It is also not recommended to use this medication while breastfeeding, as codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm the baby.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for a missed one.

Guaifenesin/Codeine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired thinking. It is advised to avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

GUAIFENESIN/CODEINE - ORAL Pricing Page Get Discount Coupon

Warning

WARNING: Taking guaifenesin/codeine with other medications that may also cause drowsiness or breathing problems may increase your risk of very serious side effects, including death. To lower your risk, your doctor should have you take the smallest dose of guaifenesin/codeine that works, and take it for the shortest possible time. See also Drug Interactions section. Get medical help right away if any of these very serious side effects occur: slow/shallow breathing, unusual lightheadedness, severe drowsiness/dizziness, difficulty waking up.


Disclaimer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.