Codeine-Guaifenesin

Codeine-Guaifenesin are a combination prescritpion medications used to for relieving cough caused by minor throat irritation.

• Codeine-Guaifenesin are available under various brand names: Allfen CD, Allfen CDX, Brontex, Cheracol with Codeine, Cheratussin AC, Codafen, Codar GF, Duraganidin NR, G Tussin AC, Glydeine, Guaiatussin AC, Guai-Co, Guaifen AC, Guaifenesin AC Liquid, Guiatuss AC, Guiatussin with Codeine, Halotussin AC, Iophen, Iophen-C NR, Mar-cof CG, M-Clear, M-Clear WC, Mytussin AC, Relcof C, Robafen AC, Robichem AC, Robitussin-AC, Romilar AC, Trymine CG, Tussi-Organidin NR(obsolete), Tussi-Organidin-S NR(obsolete), Virtussin AC, Virtussin AC w/Alc

Common side effects of Codeine-Guaifenesin include:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite; or
• skin rash.

Serious side effects of Codeine-Guaifenesin include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing;
• a slow heart rate or weak pulse;
• severe dizziness or drowsiness;
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• little or no urination;
• severe constipation; or
• slow heart rate, weak or shallow breathing.

Rare side effects of Codeine-Guaifenesin include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Schedule V

Oral liquid 

• (6.3 mg/100 mg)/5 mL
• (8 mg/200 mg)/5 mL
• (10 mg/200 mg)/5 mL
• (10 mg/100 mg)/5 mL
• (10 mg/300 mg)/5 mL

Oral solution

• (10 mg/100 mg)/5 mL
• (7.5 mg/225 mg)/5 mL

Oral syrup

• (10 mg/100 mg)/5 mL

Cough

Adult and pediatric dosage

Aged 12 and above

• 5 mL [(6.3mg/100mg)/5mL] orally every 4-6 hours; not to exceed 90 mL/day
• 5-7.5 mL [(7.5mg/225mg)/5mL] orally every 4 hours; not to exceed 45 mL/day
• 10 mL [(8mg-10mg)/100 mg - 200 mg)]/5 mL orally every 4 hours; not to exceed 60 mL/day
• 5 mL [(10mg/300mg)/5 mL] orally every 4 hours; not to exceed 40 mL/day
• 5 mL [(20 mg/200 mg)/5 mL] orally every 4-6 hours; not to exceed 30 mL/day

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Codeine-Guaifenesin have severe interactions with the following drug:
  • alvimopan
• Codeine-Guaifenesin have serious interactions with at least 35 other drugs.
• Codeine-Guaifenesin have moderate interactions with at least 225 other drugs.
• Codeine-Guaifenesin have minor interactions with at least 21 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

Codeine

• Absolute: Acute abdominal condition, diarrhea associated with toxins, pseudomembranous colitis, respiratory depression
• Relative: Asthma (acute), inflammatory bowel disease, respiratory impairment

Guaifenesin

• Do not use as self-medication in chronic or persistent coughs
• Hypersensitivity

Effects of drug abuse

• Addiction
• Overdose 
• Death

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Codeine-Guaifenesin?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Codeine-Guaifenesin?”

Cautions

• In some people, codeine breaks down rapidly in the liver and reaches higher than normal levels in the body. This can cause dangerously slow breathing and may cause death, especially in a child.
• Do not give this medicine to anyone under 18.
• This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.
• Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cough or cold medicine. Many combination medicines contain guaifensin. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this medicine.

Pregnancy & Lactation

• If you use codeine while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• Lactation
  • Do not breast-feed. Codeine can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed.