Guaifenesin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Guaifenesin What medicine?

What is guaifenesin used for?

Guaifenesin is a drug that is available in various forms, from tablets, capsules, medicinal solutions, to liquid drugs.

This drug belongs to the class of expectorant drugs, which are drugs that work by thinning phlegm in the airways.

Therefore, guaifenesin is used to treat coughs and congestion caused by colds, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments.

However, this medicine will usually not be given to patients with chronic cough due to smoking, acute bronchitis, and emphysema, unless a doctor advises otherwise.

Guaifenesin can be purchased in different ways, including by buying it over the counter without a doctor's prescription, or purchased with a doctor's prescription. This depends on the type of drug preparation to be used.

How to use guaifenesin?

Some of these ways you should pay attention to when using guaifenesin, including:

• If you are taking this drug yourself, you must know the rules for using the drug in advance.
• Read the directions for use before taking this medication.
• If you are taking this medication as prescribed by a doctor, follow any instructions given by the doctor through the prescription note.
• Do not change the dose that has been given by your doctor.
• Also, do not use this drug for longer than the time recommended by your doctor.
• The dose given to you is usually based on your condition and your response to treatment.
• If you are using the medicine in liquid form, you should use the measuring spoon provided.
• If you are taking an extended-release medication, swallow this medication followed by drinking a glass of water.
• Do not crush, chew, or divide into several pieces.
• Take this medication with or without food, as directed by your doctor, usually every 4 hours.
• If you are self medicating, follow all directions on the product packaging.
• If you are unsure about any information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Drink plenty of water while using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if your cough is accompanied by:
  • fever
  • severe sore throat
  • rash
  • the headache is persistent, or if it persists, recurs, or gets worse after 7 days.

How to save guaifenesin?

If you are taking this medicine you must store this medicine in accordance with the drug storage procedure. Here are tips for storing guaifenesin, including:

• This medicine should be stored at room temperature.
• Do not store this medicine in a damp place.
• Keep away from direct sunlight or light.
• Do not also store it in the bathroom, considering the bathroom is a damp place.
• Do not store and freeze this medication in the freezer.
• Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.
• Keep this medication out of reach of children to pets.

However, if you are no longer using this medication, or if its validity period has expired, you should discard this medicine immediately. The proper way to dispose of guaifenesin is:

• Do not mix this medicinal waste with other household waste.
• Do not also flush it in the toilet or drain.

If these two things are not avoided, you will pollute the environment. If you are not sure how to properly and safely dispose of medicinal waste, you should ask your pharmacist or staff from your local waste disposal agency about how to properly dispose of waste.

Guaifenesin dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of guaifenesin for adults?

Adult dose for cough

Dosage for capsules, medicinal solutions, syrups, and tablets:

• Healing dose: 200-400 milligrams (mg) taken every four hours as needed.
• Maximum dose: 2.4 grams per day.

Dosage for extended-release capsules and tablets:

• Healing dose: 600-1200 mg used once every 12 hours.
• Maximum dose: 2.4 grams per day.

What is the dosage of guaifenesin for children?

Child dosage for cough

The dosage of guaifenesin for children under 2 years of age is:

Using capsules, medicinal solutions, syrups, and tablets:

• 12 milligrams (mg) / kilogram (kg) of body weight, taken in 6 separate doses.

The dosage of guaifenesin for children 2-5 years of age is:

Using capsules, medicinal solutions, syrups, and tablets:

• 50-100 mg taken every 4 hours.
• Maximum dose: 600 mg per day.

Using extended-release capsules and tablets:

• 300 mg taken every 12 hours.
• Maximum dose: 600 mg per day.

The dosage of guaifenesin for children 6-11 years of age is:

Using capsules, medicinal solutions, syrups, and tablets:

• 100-200 mg taken every 4 hours as needed.
• Maximum dose: 1.2 grams per day.

Using extended-release capsules and tablets:

• 600 mg taken every 12 hours.
• The maximum dose is 600 mg per day.

The dosage of guaifenesin for children 12 years of age and over is:

Using capsules, medicinal solutions, syrups, and tablets:

• 200-400 mg taken every 4 hours.
• The maximum dose does not exceed 2.4 grams per day.

Using extended-release capsules and tablets:

• 12 years and over: 600-1200 mg orally every 12 hours.
• Maximum dose: not to exceed 2.4 grams per day.

In what dosage is Guaifenesin available?

• Liquid, Oral: 100 mg / 5 mL
• Package, Oral: 50 mg, 100 mg
• Solution, Oral: 100 mg / 5 mL, 200 mg / 10 ml, 300 mg / 15 mL
• Syrup, Oral: 100 mg / 5 mL
• Cough syrup: 100 mg / 5 mL
• Tablet, Oral: 200 mg, 400 mg
• 12 Hour large dose tablet, Oral: 600 mg, 1200 mg

Guaifenesin side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to guaifenesin?

As with the use of other drugs, this drug can also cause symptoms of both serious and minor side effects. Side effects that may occur due to the use of guaifenesin are:

• Dizziness or headache
• Skin rash
• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; hard to breath; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Guaifenesin Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using guaifenesin?

There are several things you should know before using guaifenesin, including:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to guaifenesin.
• Also tell if you have allergies to other drugs, preservatives, coloring agents, beef products, pork products, or other foods.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all types of prescription, nonprescription drugs, multivitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you have been, are currently taking or intend to use.
• Tell your doctor if you smoke and if you have or have had a cough with a lot of phlegm or if you have ever had breathing problems such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using guaifenesin, contact your doctor.
• If you have phenylketonuria (PKU, a hereditary condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent mental retardation), you should know that granules from medicinal solutions, one of these preparations, may be using aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.
• This drug has not been shown to be safe or effective for use against the flu in children 6 years of age and older. Therefore, do not use this product to treat flu symptoms in children 6 years of age and over unless specifically directed by a doctor. Some products (such as long-acting tablets / capsules) are not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years.
• These products do not cure or shorten the duration of the common cold. To reduce the risk of side effects, use caution when using drug doses. Do not give other cough and cold medicines that may contain the same or similar ingredients.
• Also ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and flu symptoms (such as drinking enough water, using a humidifier or saline nasal drops / spray).

Is guaifenesin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia. The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Even so, there is also no evidence that this drug is safe to use for breastfeeding mothers. If you want to use guaifenesin while you are breastfeeding, there are things you should ask your doctor about, including the potential benefits and risks of using the drug. Only use this medication if your doctor has given you permission.

Guaifenesin Drug Interactions

What other medicines may interact with guaifenesin?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur.

In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Can food or alcohol interact with Guaifenesin?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with guaifenesin?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems such as:

• Persistent cough due to smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema
• Cough is accompanied by excessive fluid secretion
• Cough with fever, rash, or persistent headache
• Pregnancy,
• Breastfeeding
• Porphyria

Guaifenesin overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule.

Do not double your dose, as taking an overdose can increase your risk of overdose. In addition, using excessive doses can increase the risk of unwanted side effects. If left unchecked, this also does not guarantee that you will recover faster.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.