guaifenesin and phenylephrine

Brand name(s):

guaifenesin-phenylephrine, Amitex LA, Crantex, Deconex, Deconsal II, Despec, Duraphen II, Duratuss PE, Genexa LA, Gentex LA, Guaifed Caps, Liquibid-D, Lusonex, Nasex-G, Nescon-PD, Phenavent, Prolex D, Rescon-GG, Sina-12X, Sinupan, SINUvent PE, Wellbid-D, Xedec

What is the most important information I should know about guaifenesin and phenylephrine?

Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children. Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains an antihistamine, decongestant, or cough suppressant.

What is guaifenesin and phenylephrine?

Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

The combination of guaifenesin and phenylephrine is used to treat stuffy nose and sinus congestion, and to reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold or flu.

Guaifenesin and phenylephrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking guaifenesin and phenylephrine?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to guaifenesin or phenylephrine, or to other decongestants, diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medications. Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

heart disease or high blood pressure;
diabetes;
a thyroid disorder;
circulation problems;
glaucoma;
overactive thyroid; or
enlarged prostate or problems with urination.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use this medication, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. This medication passes into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Artificially-sweetened liquid forms of cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. This would be important to know if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Check the ingredients and warnings on the medication label if you are concerned about phenylalanine.

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