Guaifenesin/ephedrine liquid is used for the temporary relief of shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness due to asthma. It is also used for coughs caused by certain infections of the air passages (e.g., bronchitis, sinusitis, common cold), especially when the cough produces phlegm. This product is, generally, not used for an ongoing cough from smoking or long-term breathing problems (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema), unless directed by your doctor.

Ephedrine is called a sympathomimetic and works by relaxing airways to make breathing easier. Guaifenesin is called an expectorant. It works by making phlegm in the breathing tubes more liquid. This helps the cough to clear phlegm better.

Ephedrine-containing products should not be used for weight loss, body building, enhancing athletic performance, or increasing energy/alertness, either alone or in combination with other stimulants (e.g., caffeine, sympathomimetic drugs found in nonprescription products). Doing so may increase your risk of serious (possibly fatal) side effects. (See also Side Effects section.)

Cough-and-cold products have not been shown to be safe or effective in children younger than 6 years. Therefore, do not use this product to treat cold symptoms in children younger than 6 years unless specifically directed by the doctor. Some products (such as long-acting tablets/capsules) are not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details about using your product safely.

These products do not cure or shorten the length of the common cold and may cause serious side effects. To decrease the risk for serious side effects, carefully follow all dosage directions. Do not use this product to make a child sleepy. Do not give other cough-and-cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients (see also Drug Interactions section). Ask the doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier or saline nose drops/spray).

Take this medication by mouth, usually every 4 hours as needed or as directed by your doctor. If stomach upset occurs, take with food or milk. Use the dosage cup provided or a special medication measuring spoon to measure out the correct dose. The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to therapy. Check the product directions to find out the correct dose for you.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.

If your symptoms do not improve after 7 days, if they worsen, or if you develop a fever/chills, contact your doctor. Do not take more medication than is recommended.

Mild stomach upset, trouble sleeping, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, nervousness, fast heartbeat, loss of appetite, diarrhea, shaking, or unusual sweating may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

This product may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to feel cold. Smoking may worsen this effect. Dress warmly and avoid tobacco use.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Notify your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fast irregular heartbeat, severe/uncontrolled shaking, difficulty urinating, decreased sexual ability, mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, panic, hallucinations).

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, seizures, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to ephedrine or guaifenesin; or if you have any other allergies. Also tell your doctor if you have had a negative reaction to other sympathomimetics (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine).

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe asthma, severe high blood pressure, heart disease (e.g., severe coronary artery disease, angina, heart failure), certain types of fast heart rhythm problems (e.g., atrial fibrillation/flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia-PSVT), a certain slow heart rhythm problem (sinus bradycardia), certain eye problems (closed-angle glaucoma), difficulty urinating (e.g., due to enlarged prostate).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: stroke, high blood pressure, chest pain (angina), heart attack, smoking, long-term breathing problems (e.g., asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema), cough with large amounts of phlegm, mental/mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, bipolar disorder, mania), epilepsy/seizure problems, certain blood vessel problems (e.g., Raynaud's disease, peripheral vascular disease), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), low blood flow to the brain (cerebral insufficiency), diabetes, difficulty sleeping, certain adrenal gland problem (pheochromocytoma).

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness and lightheadedness.

Caution is advised when using this product in children because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially excitation, agitation, and increased blood pressure. Consult your doctor before using in a child 12 or younger.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

The ephedrine in this product passes into breast milk. It is not known whether guaifenesin passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this product is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine, rasagiline).

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors within 2 weeks before, during, and after treatment with guaifenesin/ephedrine. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur.

If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product.

Before using guaifenesin/ephedrine, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: other drugs for asthma (e.g., albuterol, theophylline), decongestants (taken by mouth or sprayed into the nose), products containing caffeine, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., nortriptyline, amitriptyline), digoxin, inhaled anesthetics (e.g., halothane, isoflurane), mecamylamine.

Ephedrine may decrease the effectiveness of some blood pressure medications (e.g., beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, reserpine, guanethidine, methyldopa), alpha blockers (e.g., prazosin, terazosin), oxytocin, atropine, "water pills"/diuretics (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide).

Ephedrine may also worsen the serious side effects of some medications for migraine headaches (e.g., sumatriptan, naratriptan, zolmitriptan, ergotamine, caffeine). Consult your pharmacist or doctor for more details.

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine). Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products before using them.

Ephedrine and guaifenesin are available in both prescription and nonprescription products. Ephedrine or similar medications (e.g., ephedra, ma huang) may also be present in certain herbal remedies/teas. Check the labels of all your medications and herbal products carefully to make sure you are not taking more than one product containing ephedrine or guaifenesin.

The guaifenesin in this product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., uric acid levels, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels, vanillylmandelic acid levels). Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness/fainting, severe weakness, fast irregular heartbeat, slow/shallow breathing, hallucinations, seizures, vomiting.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. This may help to relieve congestion.

This medication is for temporary use only. Do not use for more than 7 days without first consulting your doctor.

If you are taking this product for asthma, learn to use a peak flow meter, use it daily, and promptly report worsening asthma (such as readings in the yellow/red range or increased use of quick-relief inhalers). Avoid allergens, irritants, smoking, and other factors that make asthma worse.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.