Dihydrocodeine; Guaifenesin; Pseudoephedrine
Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate, Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Oral solution
What is this medicine?
DIHYDROCODEINE; GUAIFENESIN; PSEUDOEPHEDRINE (dye hye droe KOE deen; gwye FEN e sin; soo doe e FED rin) is a cough suppressant, expectorant, and decongestant combination. It is used to treat cough and congestion. This medicine will not treat an infection.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
diabetes
drug abuse or addiction
glaucoma
heart disease
high blood pressure
intestinal problems
kidney disease
liver disease
lung disease, asthma, or breathing problems
stomach ulcer
thyroid disease
trouble passing urine
an unusual or allergic reaction to codeine, dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Do not give this medicine to children under 2 years old.
Patients over 60 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
alcohol
ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
barbiturates like phenobarbital
medicines for blood pressure
medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
medicines for heart problems
medicines for sleep
muscle relaxants
naltrexone
narcotic medicines (opiates) for pain
phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
tramadol
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Use exactly as directed by your doctor or health care professional. Do not take more than the recommended dose. You may develop tolerance to this medicine if you take it for a long time. Tolerance means that you will get less cough relief with time. Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
If you have been taking this medicine for a long time, do not suddenly stop taking it because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a nonmedical reason. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Children may be at higher risk for side effects. If your child has slow breathing, noisy breathing, confusion, or unusual sleepiness, stop giving this medicine and get medical help right away.
This medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
breathing trouble
changes in blood pressure
changes in vision
confusion
fast, irregular heartbeat
feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
hallucinations
irritable or excited
seizures
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
constipation
dry mouth, nose, or throat
headache
loss of appetite
nausea, vomiting
tiredness
unusual sweating
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light.
Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Discard unused medicine and used packaging carefully. Pets and children can be harmed if they find used or lost packages.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Dihydrocodeine Bitartrate, Guaifenesin, Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Oral syrup
What is this medicine?
DIHYDROCODEINE; GUAIFENESIN; PSEUDOEPHEDRINE (dye hye droe KOE deen; gwye FEN e sin; soo doe e FED rin) is a cough suppressant, expectorant, and decongestant combination. It is used to treat cough and congestion. This medicine will not treat an infection.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
diabetes
drug abuse or addiction
glaucoma
heart disease
high blood pressure
intestinal problems
kidney disease
liver disease
lung disease, asthma, or breathing problems
stomach ulcer
thyroid disease
trouble passing urine
an unusual or allergic reaction to codeine, dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Do not give this medicine to children under 2 years old.
Patients over 60 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
alcohol
ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
stimulant medicines for attention disorders, weight loss, or to stay awake
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
barbiturates like phenobarbital
medicines for blood pressure
medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
medicines for heart problems
medicines for sleep
muscle relaxants
naltrexone
narcotic medicines (opiates) for pain
phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
tramadol
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Use exactly as directed by your doctor or health care professional. Do not take more than the recommended dose. You may develop tolerance to this medicine if you take it for a long time. Tolerance means that you will get less cough relief with time. Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
If you have been taking this medicine for a long time, do not suddenly stop taking it because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a nonmedical reason. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Children may be at higher risk for side effects. If your child has slow breathing, noisy breathing, confusion, or unusual sleepiness, stop giving this medicine and get medical help right away.
This medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
breathing trouble
changes in blood pressure
changes in vision
confusion
fast, irregular heartbeat
feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
hallucinations
irritable or excited
seizures
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
constipation
dry mouth, nose, or throat
headache
loss of appetite
nausea, vomiting
tiredness
unusual sweating
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light.
Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. Discard unused medicine and used packaging carefully. Pets and children can be harmed if they find used or lost packages.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Updated:
March 21, 2017
Sources:
U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert