What is codeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
Codeine is a narcotic cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
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 codeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine is used to treat stuffy nose, cough, sinus congestion, and chest congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
Codeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
Codeine, 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 codeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
You should not use this medicine if you have severe liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, severe colitis or toxic megacolon, if you have a colostomy or ileostomy, if you are unable to urinate, if you have been sick with diarrhea, if you recently drank large amounts of alcohol, or if you have a head injury or brain tumor.
Do not use this medicine if you have untreated or uncontrolled diseases such as glaucoma, asthma or COPD, high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or a thyroid disorder.
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.
Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person for whom it was prescribed. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking codeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?
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.
You should not use this medicine if you have severe liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, severe constipation, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, severe colitis or toxic megacolon, if you have a colostomy or ileostomy, if you are unable to urinate, if you have been sick with diarrhea, if you recently drank large amounts of alcohol, or if you have a head injury or brain tumor.
Do not use this medicine if you have untreated or uncontrolled diseases such as glaucoma, asthma or COPD, high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or a thyroid disorder.
To make sure you can safely take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
diabetes;
a heart rhythm disorder;
a history of alcoholism or drug addiction;
sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);
liver or kidney disease;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
cough with mucus, or cough caused by emphysema or chronic bronchitis;
gallbladder disease;
enlarged prostate or urination problems;
an adrenal gland tumor or disorder (such as Addison's disease);
if you are dehydrated; or
if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).
Codeine may be habit forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.
FDA pregnancy category C. Codeine may cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using the medicine.
Codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of codeine by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.