Thursday, September 22, 2016

guaifenesin and hydrocodone


Generic Name: guaifenesin and hydrocodone (gwye FEN e sin and HYE droe KOE done)

Brand names: A-Cof DH, Canges-XP, Codiclear DH, Condasin, Cotuss V, Execlear, Extendryl HC, Hycotuss Expectorant, Hydrocod-GF, Kwelcof, Monte-G HC, Narcof, Pancof XP, Pneumotussin 2.5, Relasin-HCX, Touro HC, Tussicle, Tusso-DF, Vi-Q-Tuss, Vitussin Expectorant, Xpect-HC, Z-Cof HCX, ...show all 47 brand names.


What is guaifenesin and hydrocodone?

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


Hydrocodone is a narcotic cough suppressant.


Guaifenesin and hydrocodone is used to treat cough and reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold, flu, or allergies.


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


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


This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of guaifenesin and hydrocodone. Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by guaifenesin and hydrocodone. Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

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


Hydrocodone may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share this medication with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to hydrocodone or guaifenesin.

To make sure you can safely take guaifenesin and hydrocodone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:



  • liver or kidney disease;




  • asthma;




  • urination problems;




  • an enlarged prostate;




  • a thyroid disorder;




  • seizures or epilepsy;




  • gallbladder disease;




  • a head injury; or




  • Addison's disease.




FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Guaifenesin and hydrocodone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take guaifenesin and hydrocodone?


Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.


Guaifenesin and hydrocodone can be taken with or without food.


Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.


Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Guaifenesin and hydrocodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.


See also: Guaifenesin and hydrocodone dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?


Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.


What happens if I overdose?


Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, sweating, pinpoint pupils, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, confusion, cold and clammy skin, muscle weakness, fainting, weak pulse, slow heart rate, seizure (convulsions), weak or shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.


What should I avoid while taking guaifenesin and hydrocodone?


This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of guaifenesin and hydrocodone.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cough, cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medicine. Guaifenesin is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much guaifenesin. Check the label to see if a medicine contains guaifenesin.


Guaifenesin and hydrocodone side effects


Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

  • slow heart rate, weak or shallow breathing;




  • feeling like you might pass out;




  • confusion, fear, unusual thoughts or behavior;




  • seizure (convulsions); or




  • urinating less than usual or not at all.



Less serious side effects may include:



  • dizziness, drowsiness;




  • nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;




  • blurred vision;




  • constipation;




  • dry mouth; or




  • sweating.



This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


Guaifenesin and hydrocodone Dosing Information


Usual Adult Dose for Cough:

1 extended release tablet (1200 mg-20 mg) orally every 12 hours (maximum dose is 2 tablets/day)
2 extended release tablets (575 mg-5 mg) orally every 12 hours (maximum dose is 6 tablets/day)
1 to 2 extended release tablet(s) (600 mg-5 mg) orally every 12 hours
1 to 1.5 tablet(s) (300 mg-5 mg) orally 4 times a day
1 to 2 tablet(s) (300 mg-2.5 mg) orally 4 times a day (maximum dose is 8 tablets/day)
5 mL syrup (100 mg-5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 after meals and at bedtime
10 mL syrup (200 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours (maximum dose is 40 mL/day)
10 mL syrup (100 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours (maximum dose is 60 mL/day)
5 mL to 10 mL syrup (90 mg-3 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours
1 or 2 capsule(s) (300 mg-5 mg) orally every 8 hours
1 extended release tablet (1000 mg-10 mg) orally every 12 hours (maximum dose is 2 tablets/day)
5 mL syrup (100 mg-3.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 after meals and at bedtime (not to exceed 30 mL in a 24 hour period). Treatment should be initiated with 5 mL and subsequent doses, up to a maximum single dose of 15 mL, adjusted as required.
10 mL liquid (150 mg-5 mg/5 mL) orally every 6 hours (not to exceed 40 mL in 24 hours)
5 mL syrup (300 mg-3.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours (not to exceed 30 mL in 24 hours)
5 mL liquid (100 mg-4 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours
5 mL to 7.5 mL liquid (200 mg-7.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 6 hours

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cough:

2 years to under 6 years:
2.5 mL syrup (90 mg-3 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours
2.5 mL liquid (150 mg-5 mg/5 mL) orally every 6 hours (not to exceed 10 mL in 24 hours)
1.25 mL liquid (100 mg-4 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours

3 years to under 6 years:
2.5 mL syrup (100 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours (maximum dose is 15 mL/day)
1.25 mL liquid (200 mg-7.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 6 hours

over 6 years to 12 years:
2.5 mL to 5 mL syrup (100 mg-5 mg/5 mL) orally 4 times a day.
2.5 mL to 5 mL syrup (90 mg-3 mg/5 mL) orally 4 times a day
5 mL syrup (200 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours (maximum dose is 20 mL/day)
5 mL syrup (100 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours (maximum dose is 30 mL/day)
1/2 to 1 extended release tablets (600 mg-5 mg) orally every 12 hours
1 capsule (300 mg-5 mg) orally every 8 hours
1/2 extended release tablet (1000 mg-10 mg) orally every 12 hours (maximum dose is 1 tablet/day)
5 mL liquid (150 mg-5 mg/5 mL) orally every 6 hours (not to exceed 20 mL in 24 hours)
2.5 mL liquid (100 mg-4 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours
2.5 mL liquid (200 mg-7.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 6 hours

over 12 years:
10 ml liquid (150 mg-5 mg/5 mL) orally every 6 hours (not to exceed 40 mL in 24 hours)
5 mL syrup (300 mg-3.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours (not to exceed 30 mL in 24 hours
5 mL syrup (100 mg-5 mg/5 mL) orally 4 times a day
1 extended release tablet (1200 mg-20 mg) orally every 12 hours (maximum dose is 2 tablets/day)
10 mL syrup (200 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours (maximum dose is 40 mL/day)
10 mL syrup (100 mg-2.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours (maximum dose is 60 mL/day)
5 mL to 10 mL syrup (90 mg-3 mg/5 mL) orally 4 times a day
1 to 2 extended release tablets (600 mg-5 mg) orally every 12 hours
2 extended release tablets (575 mg-5 mg) orally every 12 hours (maximum dose is 6 tablets/day)
1 or 2 capsule(s) (300 mg-5 mg) orally every 8 hours
1 extended release tablet (100 mg-10 mg) orally every 12 hours (maximum dose is 2 tablets/day)
5 mL syrup (100 mg-3.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 after meals and at bedtime. Maximum single dose is 10 mL.
5 mL liquid (100 mg-4 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 to 6 hours
5 mL to 7.5 mL liquid (200 mg-7.5 mg/5 mL) orally every 6 hours


What other drugs will affect guaifenesin and hydrocodone?


Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by guaifenesin and hydrocodone.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:



  • antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;




  • atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), mepenzolate (Cantil), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);




  • bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);




  • a bronchodilator such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva); or




  • irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine).



This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with guaifenesin and hydrocodone. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.



More guaifenesin and hydrocodone resources


  • Guaifenesin and hydrocodone Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Guaifenesin and hydrocodone Dosage
  • Guaifenesin and hydrocodone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Guaifenesin and hydrocodone Drug Interactions
  • Guaifenesin and hydrocodone Support Group
  • 2 Reviews for Guaifenesin and hydrocodone - Add your own review/rating


Compare guaifenesin and hydrocodone with other medications


  • Cough


Where can I get more information?


  • Your pharmacist can provide more information about guaifenesin and hydrocodone.

See also: guaifenesin and hydrocodone side effects (in more detail)


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