Codeine; Guaifenesin oral solution or syrup

What is codeine; guaifenesin oral solution or syrup?
CODEINE; GUAIFENESIN (Cheracolreg; with Codeine, Guaitussinreg; with Codeine, Robitussinreg; A-C Syrup and others) helps to stop or reduce coughing due to the common cold or inhaled irritants. Federal law prohibits the transfer of codeine to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Do not share this medicine with anyone else. Generic codeine; guaifenesin oral syrup is available.

What should my health care professional know before I take codeine; guaifenesin?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma or difficulties breathing
• chronic bronchitis
• constipation or diarrhea
• emphysema or other lung disease
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• intestinal or stomach problems
• kidney disease or a history of kidney stones
• liver disease
• other chronic illness
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• recent head trauma
• smoker
• stomach or intestinal disease
• an allergic or unusual reaction to codeine, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, guaifenesin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?
Take codeine; guaifenesin oral syrup or solution by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. Take codeine; guaifenesin with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not share this medicine with anyone.

Take codeine; guaifenesin with a full glass of water to help loosen and clear mucus from your throat.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double doses.

What drug(s) may interact with codeine; guaifenesin?

• alcohol and alcohol-containing medicines
• certain medicines used for pain
• certain medicines used for Parkinson’s disease
• certain medicines used for sleep, anxiety or depression
• certain medicines used to control the heart’s rhythm
• medicines for diarrhea
• medicines used for psychosis
• seizure medications
• some antibiotics
• some antihistamines

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking codeine; guaifenesin?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:

• side or back pain that extends to the groin (signs of kidney stones)
• confusion
• difficulty breathing
• decreased ability to pass urine
• feeling faint
• slow or fast heartbeat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
More common:

• blurred vision
• constipation or diarrhea
• drowsiness, dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• itching
• stomach upset, nausea

What should I watch for while taking codeine; guaifenesin?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your cough does not improve in 7 days. If you have a high fever, skin rash, or persistent headache as well as a cough, see your prescriber or health care professional.

Use exactly as directed by your prescriber or health care professional. If you are taking codeine; guaifenesin on a regular basis, do not suddenly stop taking it. Your prescriber may want to slowly lower your dose.

You may get drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking this medicine. Be careful taking other medications that may also may you tired. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly, this reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. The drowsiness should decrease after taking this medicine for a couple of days. Alcohol can increase the possible drowsiness, dizziness or confusion from this medicine. Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine.

Your mouth may get dry. Drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard candy may help to relieve dry mouth symptoms. Also, this medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Higher doses of codeine; guaifenesin may cause constipation. You may need to take a laxative and/or a stool softener. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2-3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days or more call your prescriber or health care professional. They may recommend using an enema or suppository to help you move your bowels.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Avoid accidental swallowing of codeine by someone (especially children) other than the person for whom it was prescribed as this may result in severe effects and possibly death.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.