| Pronunciation |
 (gwye
FEN e
sin) |
 |
| U.S. Brand Names |
| Anti-Tuss® Expectorant [OTC]; Breonesin®[OTC]; Diabetic Tussin® EX [OTC]; Duratuss-G®; Fenesin™; Gee Gee®[OTC]; Genatuss®[OTC]; GG-Cen®[OTC]; Glyate®[OTC]; Glycotuss®[OTC]; Glytuss®[OTC]; Guaifenex® LA; GuiaCough® Expectorant [OTC]; Guiatuss®[OTC]; Halotussin®[OTC]; Humibid® L.A.; Humibid® Sprinkle; Hytuss®[OTC]; Hytuss-2X®[OTC]; Liquibid®; Medi-Tuss®[OTC]; Monafed®; Muco-Fen-LA®; Mytussin®[OTC]; Naldecon® Senior EX [OTC]; Organidin® NR; Pneumomist®; Respa-GF®; Robitussin®[OTC]; Scot-Tussin®[OTC]; Siltussin®[OTC]; Sinumist®-SR Capsulets®; Touro Ex®; Tusibron®[OTC]; Uni-tussin®[OTC] |
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| Generic Available |
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Yes |
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| Canadian Brand Names |
| Balminil® Expectorant; Calmylin Expectorant |
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| Synonyms |
| GG; Glycerol Guaiacolate |
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| Pharmacological Index |
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Expectorant |
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| Use |
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Temporary control of cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation |
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| Pregnancy Risk Factor |
|
C |
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| Contraindications |
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Hypersensitivity to guaifenesin or any component |
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| Warnings/Precautions |
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Not for persistent cough such as occurs with smoking, asthma, or emphysema or cough accompanied by excessive secretions |
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| Adverse Reactions |
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1% to 10%: Dermatologic: Rash Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain |
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| Overdosage/Toxicology |
|
Symptoms of overdose include vomiting, lethargy, coma, respiratory depression Treatment is supportive |
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| Drug Interactions |
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Disulfiram, MAO inhibitors, metronidazole, procarbazine |
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| Stability |
|
Protect from light |
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| Mechanism of Action |
|
Thought to act as an expectorant by irritating the gastric mucosa and stimulating respiratory tract secretions, thereby increasing respiratory fluid volumes and decreasing phlegm viscosity |
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| Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics |
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Absorption: Well absorbed from GI tract Metabolism: Hepatic, 60% Half-life: ~1 hour Elimination: Renal excretion of changed and unchanged drug |
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| Usual Dosage |
|
Oral: <2 years: 12 mg/kg/day in 6 divided doses 2-5 years: 50-100 mg every 4 hours, not to exceed 600 mg/day 6-11 years: 100-200 mg every 4 hours, not to exceed 1.2 g/day Children >12 years and Adults: 200-400 mg every 4 hours to a maximum of 2.4 g/day |
|
| Test Interactions |
|
Possible color interference with determination of 5-HIAA and VMA |
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| Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status |
|
May cause drowsiness |
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| Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment |
|
None reported |
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| Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions |
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No information available to require special precautions |
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| Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment |
|
No effects or complications reported |
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| Patient Information |
|
Take only as prescribed; do not exceed prescribed dose or frequency. Do not chew or crush timed release capsule. Maintain adequate hydration (2-3 L/day of fluids unless instructed to restrict fluid intake). You may experience some drowsiness (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks requiring alertness until response to drug is known). Report excessive drowsiness, difficulty breathing, or lack of improvement or worsening or condition. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are or intend to be pregnant. Consult prescriber if breast-feeding. |
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| Nursing Implications |
|
Administer with large quantity of water to ensure proper action; some products contain alcohol |
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| Dosage Forms |
|
Caplet, sustained release (Touro Ex®): 600 mg Capsule (Breonesin®, GG-Cen®, Hytuss-2X®): 200 mg Capsule, sustained release (Humibid® Sprinkle): 300 mg Liquid: Diabetic Tussin EX®, Organidin® NR, Tusibron®: 100 mg/5 mL (118 mL) Naldecon® Senior EX: 200 mg/5 mL (118 mL, 480 mL) Syrup (Anti-Tuss® Expectorant, Genatuss®, Glyate®, GuiaCough® Expectorant, Guiatuss®, Halotussin®, Malotuss®, Medi-Tuss®, Mytussin®, Robitussin®, Scot-Tussin®, Siltussin®, Tusibron®, Uni-Tussin®): 100 mg/5 mL with alcohol 3.5% (30 mL, 120 mL, 240 mL, 473 mL, 946 mL) Tablet: Duratuss-G®: 1200 mg Gee Gee®, Glytuss®, Organidin® NR: 200 mg Glycotuss®, Hytuss®: 100 mg Sustained release: Fenesin™, Guaifenex LA®, Humibid® L.A., Liquibid®, Monafed®, Muco-Fen-LA®, Pneumomist®, Respa-GF®, Sinumist®-SR Capsulets®: 600 mg |
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| References |
|
Kuhn JJ, Hendley JO, Adams DF, et al, "Antitussive Effect of Guaifenesin in Young Adults With Natural Colds," Chest, 1982, 6:713-8. |
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