Guaifenesin and Dextromethorphan, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, oral; Benylin Expectorant Liquid; Cheracol D Cough Liquid; Children's Formula Cough Syrup; Clear Tussin Liquid Guaifenesin with Dextromethorphan Liquid; Diabetic Tussin DM Syrup; Extra Action Cough Syrup (guaifenesin and dextromethorphan); Fenesin DM Tablets; Genatuss DM Syrup; Glycotuss DM Tablets; Guaifenesin and Dextromethorphan Bbr Liquid; Guaifenex DM Tablets; Guaifenex Rx PM Tablets; Guiatuss-DM Liquid; Guiatussin with Dextromethorphan Liquid; Halotussin DM Liquid; Humibid DM Sprinkle Capsules; Humibid DM Tablets; Iobid DM Tablets; Kolephrin GG/DM Liquid; Monafed DM Tablets; Muco Fen DM Tablets; Mytussin DM Liquid; Naldecon Senior DX; Phanatuss DM Syrup; Phenadex Senior Liquid; Respa-DM Tablets; Rhinosyn-DMX Syrup; Robafen DM Syrup (guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, oak); Robitussin DM Liquid; Safe Tussin 30 Liquid; Scot-Tussin Senior Clear Liquid; Siltussin DM Syrup; Syracol CF Tablets; Tolu-Sed DM Syrup; Tusibron DM Syrup; Tuss DM Tablets; Tussin DM Liquid; Uni-tussin DM Syrup; Vicks Pediatric Formula 44 E; Ynacol CF Tablets

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 used to help bring up mucus from the lungs, thin secretions, and make a cough productive. Dextromethorphan is used to stop the coughing.

How do I take it?

This medicine comes in tablet and liquid (syrup) forms. The tablet and sprinkle capsule forms of this medicine are available only by prescription. You can buy the liquid forms without a prescription.

Take the tablets and sprinkle capsules exactly as your health care provider prescribes.

Do not break, crush, or chew the extended-release tablets. Ask your pharmacist if you have the extended-release tablets.

The sprinkle capsules can be opened and the contents sprinkled on soft food that can be swallowed without chewing, such as applesauce.

Take the liquid forms exactly as your health care provider prescribes or follow the directions printed on the label of nonprescription products.

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 effects. The side effects of this medicine are mild and may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider about any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious: None.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, stomach cramps, dizziness, headache, rash, hives.

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.)

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.