Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, Guaifenesin O... Health Article

Generic name(s):

Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, Guaifenesin Oral tablet

Brand name(s):

Allfen DM, Allfen-DM, Altarussin DM, Ambi 1000/55, Amibid DM, Anti-Tuss DM, Aquabid DM, Aquatab DM, Aquatab DM(obsolete), Benylin Expectorant, Bidex-A, Bidex-DM, Bidex-DMI, Biotuss DM, Cheracol D Cough, Cheracol-D, Children's Mucus Relief Cough, Cofex-DM, Coricidin HBP Chest Congestion & Cough Liqui-Gels, Cough Formula-DM, Dex-Tuss DM, Dextromethorphan-Guaifenesin LA, Diabetic Suppressant, Diabetic Tuss DM, Diabetic Tuss DM Maximum Strength, Double-Tussin DM, Drituss DM, DuraDEX, DuraDEX Forte, Duraganidin, Duratuss DM, Duratuss DM 12, ExeFen-DM, Expectorant DM, Extuss LA, Fenesin DM, Fenesin DM IR, Fenex-DM, G-Bid DM, GG-DM SR, GG/DM, Gani-Tuss-DM NR, Genatuss DM, Glycotuss-DM, Guai-Dex, Guaiasorb Cough Medicine, Guaifen DM, Guaifen DM NR, Guaifenesin DM, Guaifenesin DM SR, Guaifenex DM, Guiacough DM, Guiadrine DM, Guiat Clear DM, Guiatuss Clear, Guiatuss DM, Guiatussin-DM, HT Tuss DM, Halotussin DM, Halotussin DM Sugar Free, Humibid CS, Humibid DM Pediatric, Humigen DM, Hydro-Tuss DM, Iobid DM, Iofen-DM NF, Iophen DM, Iophen DM NR, Kita La Tos, Kolephrin GG/DM, Lotussin DM, Mastussin DM, Maxi-Tuss DM, Mindal DM, Mintab DM, Monafed DM, Mucinex Children's Cough, Mucinex Children's Cough Mini-Melts, Mucinex DM, Mucinex DM Max Strength, Muco-Fen 800 DM, Muco-Fen DM, Mucobid, Mucobid DM, MucusRelief DM, Mytussin DM, Naldecon DX Liquigel, Naldecon Senior DX, Nalspan Senior DX, Phanatuss, Phlemex, Q-Bid DM, Q-Tussin DM, Recofen D, Recofen Plus, Relacon LAX, Respa-DM, Rhinosyn-DMX, Ri-Tussin DM, Robafen DM, Robafen DM Clear, Robichem DM, Robitussin Cough & Congestion, Robitussin Cough & Congestion DM Max, Robitussin Cough Sugar-Free DM, Robitussin DM, Robitussin DM Infant Drops, Robitussin DM Sugar Free, Robitussin-SF, Ru-Tuss 800 DM, S-Pack DM, Safetussin 30 DM, Scot-Tussin DM, Scot-Tussin Senior, Siltussin DM, Siltussin DM DAS Cough Formula, Siltussin-DM DAS-NA, Siltussin-DM DAS-NA Maximum Strength, Simuc-DM, Su-Tuss DM, Sudal DM, T-Tussin DM, Tolu-Sed DM, Touro, Touro DM, Tuss-DM, Tusscidin DM, Tussi-Bid, Tussi-Organidin DM NR, Tussi-Organidin DM-S NR, Tussidin DM, Tussin DM, Vicks 44E, Vicks 44E Pediatric, Z-Cof LAX, Zotex DMX

What is this medicine?

DEXTROMETHORPHAN; GUAIFENESIN (dex troe meth OR fan; gwye FEN e sin) is a cough suppressant, expectorant combination. It is used to provide relief from cough. 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:

• asthma
• chronic bronchitis
• emphysema
• if you have taken an MAOI like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in last 14 days
• kidney or liver disease
• unable to sit up
• an unusual or allergic reaction to dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, other medicines, foods, dyes, bromides, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Do not crush or chew. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine 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 6 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

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:

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
• procarbazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• medicines for depression or other mental disturbances
• other medicines for colds or allergy

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?

Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 5 days or if they get worse. If you have a high fever, skin rash, lasting headache, or sore throat, see your doctor.

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily while you are taking this medicine to help loosen mucus.

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.