Guaifenesin and Codeine, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: guaifenesin and codeine, oral; Brontex Liquid; Brontex Tablets; Cheracol Cough Syrup; Codeine Phosphate and Guaifenesin Tablets; Gani-Tuss NR; Guaifenesin and Codeine Syrup; Guiatuss AC Syrup; Guiatussin with Codeine Syrup; Halotussin AC; Mytussin AC Cough Syrup; Robafen AC Cough Syrup; Robitussin AC Cough Syrup; Romilar AC Cough Syrup; Tussi-Organidin NR Liquid; Tussi-Organidin S. NR

What is this medicine used for?

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

This medicine comes in tablet and liquid (syrup) forms.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. If your health care 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. Narcotics may be habit-forming if used for a long time. This may cause withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the medicine. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist about anything you do not understand.

What should I watch out for?:

If your cough continues for more than 1 week, it may be a sign of a serious condition. Consult your health care provider if your cough comes back, or if you also have a fever, rash, or constant headache.

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

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

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

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 health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Severe drowsiness.

Other: Mild drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, stomach cramps, constipation.

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 health care provider if you are taking:

• 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.)
• sedatives such as phenobarbital, amobarbital (Amytal), zolpidem (Ambien), triazolam (Halcion), and butabarbital (Butisol)
• tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), meprobamate (Equanil), halazepam (Paxipam), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan).

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

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

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care 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.