Guaifenesin/Hydrocodone/Phenylephrine, Oral gwy-FEN-eh-sin hy-droh-KOH-done fen-il-EF-rin

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: expectorant; antitussive; decongestant

Generic and brand names: guaifenesin, hydrocodone, phenylephrine; De-Chlor G; Donatussin DC; Dynatuss HC; Dynatuss HCG; ExeTuss-HC; Gentex HC; Guaiplex HC; HydroFed; Hydro GP; Nariz-HC; Nazarin HC; PhendaCof HC; Simuc HD; Tussafed-HC

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to relieve coughs due to common colds or other chest infections or irritations. Guaifenesin is an expectorant used to help bring up mucus from the lungs and thin secretions. Hydrocodone is a narcotic used to stop excessive coughing. Phenylephrine is used to relieve a stuffy nose.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a brain disease or head injury
• a thyroid disorder
• Addison's disease (a disorder of the adrenal glands)
• an enlarged prostate or trouble urinating
• asthma or other breathing problems
• diabetes
• gallbladder disease or gallstones
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• liver or kidney disease
• problems with alcohol or drug abuse
• seizures

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or take it longer than prescribed. Narcotics may be habit-forming if used for a long time. This may cause withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the medicine. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about anything you do not understand.

Drink plenty of water with this medicine to help loosen the mucus or phlegm in the lungs.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: extreme drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, numbness and tingling, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, slow breathing, coma.

What should I watch out for?

Do not give a child under age 4 any cough and cold medicines unless specifically instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine for a few days.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

This medicine is a controlled substance. It is illegal to give this medicine to anyone else.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat; chest pain; severe drowsiness; trouble breathing; severe rash or hives; fever; headache; trouble urinating.

Other: Mild drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, stomach cramps, constipation, muscle weakness, dry mouth, increased sweating, nervousness, restlessness, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam,
• anticholinergic medicines such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Levsin), scopolamine (Transderm-Scop), and tolterodine (Detrol)
• beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal LA), and sotalol (Betapace)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• furazolidone (Furoxone)
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take a MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• methyldopa
• narcotic pain relievers such as hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), and combination products such as Vicodin, Tylox, and Percocet
• natural remedies such as ephedra, gotu kola, kava, St. John's wort, valerian, and yohimbe
• procarbazine (Matulane)
• sleeping pills such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), flurazepam, phenobarbital (Solfoton), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien)
• SSRI antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox CR), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.