Generic Name: guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine (gwye FEN e sin, SOO doe ee FED rin)
Brand Names: Altarussin PE, Ambifed, Ambifed-G, Biotuss PE, Congestac, D-Feda II, Despec-SR, Dynex, Entex PSE, ExeFen, ExeFen-IR, Guiatex II SR, Levall G, Maxifed, Maxifed-G, Medent LD, Medent-LDI, Mucinex D, Mucinex D Max Strength, Nasabid SR, Nasatab LA, Nomuc-PE, Poly-Vent, Poly-Vent IR, Poly-Vent, Jr., Pseudatex, Pseudo GG, Pseudo GG TR, Pseudo Max, Q-Tussin PE, Respaire-120 SR, Respaire-30, Respaire-60 SR, Robitussin PE, Robitussin Severe Congestion, Ru-Tuss Jr., Sinutab Non Drying, Stamoist E, SudaTex-G, Tenar PSE, Touro LA, Touro LA-LD, Triaminic Softchews Chest Congestion, We Mist II LA, We Mist LA
What is guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.
Pseudoephedrine 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 pseudoephedrine is used to treat stuffy nose, sinus congestion, and cough caused by allergies or the common cold.
Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Alwayss 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 a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, or allergy medicine. Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine, 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 furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have:
heart disease or high blood pressure;
diabetes; or
a thyroid disorder.
It is not known whether guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine may 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.
Artificially sweetened liquid cough or cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.
How should I take guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cough and cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. 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 crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking this medication. Take with food if this medicine upsets your stomach. Do not take guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine for longer than 7 days in a row. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cough or cold medicine within the past few days.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since cough or cold medicine is taken when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, 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 nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and feeling restless or nervous.
What should I avoid while taking guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
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 pseudoephedrine.
Avoid taking this medication if you also take diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications). Taking a stimulant together with a decongestant can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, or allergy medicine. Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine.
Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult 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:
fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
severe dizziness, anxiety, or nervousness;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness or headache;
feeling restless or excited;
sleep problems (insomnia);
mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset;
mild loss of appetite;
warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin; or
skin rash or itching.
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.
What other drugs will affect guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
methyldopa (Aldomet);
blood pressure medications;
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others; or
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine. 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 Mucinex D resources
- Mucinex D Side Effects (in more detail)
- Mucinex D Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Mucinex D Drug Interactions
- Mucinex D Support Group
- 50 Reviews for Mucinex D - Add your own review/rating
- Mucinex D Consumer Overview
- Mucinex D Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Congestac MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Entex PSE Controlled-Release Capsules MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Pseudovent Consumer Overview
- Robitussin Severe Congestion MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Zephrex LA Sustained-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Mucinex D with other medications
- Cough and Nasal Congestion
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine.
See also: Mucinex D side effects (in more detail)
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