Ephedrine/guaifenesin

Ephedrine/guaifenesin is a combination of prescription medications used for the temporary relief of mild symptoms of asthma. 

• Ephedrine/guaifenesin is available under the following different brand names: Primatene Tablets, Bronkaid Dual Action Formula

Common side effects of Ephedrine/guaifenesin include:

• nervousness,
• anxiety,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation (vertigo),
• headache,
• nausea,
• loss of appetite,
• trouble sleeping,
• fast heart rate,
• pounding heartbeats,
• sweating,
• vomiting,
• weight loss, and
• difficult or painful urination.

Serious side effects of Ephedrine/guaifenesin include:

• chest pain, and
• irregular heartbeats

Rare side effects of Ephedrine/guaifenesin include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result 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

Tablet

• 12.5mg/200mg (Primatene Tablets)
• 25mg/400mg (Bronkaid Dual Action Formula)

Asthma

Adult dosage

• 12.5-25 mg/guaifenesin 200-400 mg orally every 4 hours or as needed
• Not to exceed ephedrine 150 mg/guaifenesin 2400 mg per 24 hours
• Pediatric dosage
• Aged below 2 years: Safety and efficacy not established
• Aged above 12 years: 12.5-25 mg/guaifenesin 200-400 mg orally every 4 hours or as needed
• Not to exceed ephedrine 150 mg/guaifenesin 2400 mg per 24 hours

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.

• Ephedrine/guaifenesin has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • iobenguane I 123
  • isocarboxazid
  • linezolid
  • phenelzine
  • procarbazine
  • rasagiline
  • selegiline
  • selegiline transdermal
  • tranylcypromine
• Ephedrine/guaifenesin has serious interactions with at least 28 other drugs.
• Ephedrine/guaifenesin has moderate interactions with at least 250 other drugs.
• Ephedrine/guaifenesin has minor interactions with at least 16 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

• Never diagnosed with asthma
• Within 2 weeks of taking MAOI
• Taking certain drugs for depression, psychiatric, or emotional conditions, or Parkinson’s disease
• Hypersensitivity to drug or excipients

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ephedrine/guaifenesin?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ephedrine/guaifenesin?”

Cautions

• This product will not provide quick relief from asthma symptoms, as would an inhaled bronchodilator
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if taking prescription drugs for asthma, obesity, weight control, depression, or psychiatric or emotional conditions or if taking any drug that contains phenylephrine, ephedrine, or caffeine, including for allergy, cough-cold, or pain
• May cause hypertension or tachycardia; severe cardiovascular events (e.g., MI, stroke, arrhythmias, including death) reported with the use of dietary supplements containing ephedrine; risk of heart attack or stroke may increase with a history of high blood pressure or heart disease, or if taking more frequently or taking a higher dose than recommended
• If you have been previously hospitalized for asthma, other prescription drugs for asthma should be used as directed by your physician
• Avoid foods or beverages that contain caffeine and avoid dietary supplements containing ingredients reported or claimed to have a stimulant effect
• Caution with heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, seizures, narrow-angle glaucoma, history of the psychiatric or emotional condition, prostatic hypertrophy, productive cough, cough that lasts or is chronic (e.g., owing to smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema)
• Discontinue use and see a physician if asthma is getting worse, have difficulty sleeping, experience rapid heartbeat, experience tremors, nervousness, or seizure
• Because asthma may be life-threatening, see a physician if you
  • Are not better in 60 min
  • Symptoms worsen
  • Need to exceed the recommended maximum dose
  • Take more than 100 mg ephedrine/1600 mg guaifenesin per 24 hours for more than 3 days/wk
  • Have more than 2 asthma attacks/per wk

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Limited human data have not shown fetal harm with temporary oral use; if pregnant, ask a healthcare professional before use

Lactation

• Ephedrine: Unknown if distributed in human breast milk
• Guaifenesin: Unknown if distributed in human breast milk
• Ask a healthcare professional before use; consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the mother’s clinical need for the drug, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition