Guaifenesin (By mouth)

gwye-FEN-e-sin

Thins mucus so you can clear it from your head, throat, and lungs.

Drug classes

Expectorant (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Guaifenesin is used to help clear mucus or phlegm (pronounced flem) from the chest when you have congestion from a cold or flu. It works by thinning the mucus or phlegm in the lungs.

This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor’s prescription.

Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects .

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Capsule, Tablet, Long Acting Capsule, Long Acting Tablet, Liquid

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet or capsule. Swallow it whole with a full glass of water.

If a dose is missed:

You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.

Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

When Not To Use

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to guaifenesin. Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years old. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects.

Warnings

If you are pregnant or breast feeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

If your cough is caused by asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, or smoking, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.

This medicine may contain alcohol.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Cough that lasts longer than 7 days.

Cough with fever, skin rash, or ongoing headache.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Drowsiness.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Allfen, Altarussin, Amibid LA, Antitussin, Balminil Expectorant, Balminil Expectorant Sugar-Free, Benylin E Extra Strength Chest Congestion, Benylin-E, Bidex 400, Broncho-Grippex Expectorant, Chest Congestion Relief, Children’s Mucinex, Cough, Diabetic Siltussin DAS-Na, Diabetic Tussin, Diabetic Tussin EX, Drituss G, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Children’s Mucus Relief, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Mucus ER, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Mucus Relief, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Tussin, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Tussin Chest Congestion, Good Sense Children’s Mucus Relief, Good Sense Tussin, GoodSense Tussin Mucus + Chest Congestion, Guaifenex G, Guaifenex LA, Mucinex, Resyl, Robitussin, Robitussin Extra Strength

There may be other brand names for this medicine.