How Effective is Guaifenesin & What are its Side Effects?

Do not give guaifenesin to children below 4 years. Always ask your doctor before giving your child a cold or cough medications. Abuse of cold and cough medications in children can be fatal. Take much water or fluids to aid in loosening the blocked chest and lubricating your throat while using guaifenesin. This medicine can interfere with your reactions and thinking, hence be cautious when driving or operating machinery.

Guaifenesin is a cough medicine that effectively aids in relaxing your throat and chest, causing you to cough via your mouth in a calmer way.

Guaifenesin is also effectively utilized to lessen chest blockage brought by allergies, infections and common cold.

• Do not take guaifenesin if you suffer allergic reactions to it.
• Strictly take guaifenesin as stated on the label, or as instructed by your physician. You should not use it longer or in large quantities than prescribed.

If you are allergic to guaifenesin, do not use it. It is not proven whether this medicine can hurt unborn child. FDA pregnancy groups C. notify your physician if you are pregnant or you are planning to conceive while on guaifenesin treatment. It is also not established whether guaifenesin mixes with breast milk or if it can hurt your nursing child. You should notify your doctor if you are breastfeeding while using this medicine.

Immediate release formulation: take between 200 to 400 mg orally for every 4 hours as required, should not surpass 2.4 g per day.

Sustained release formulation: take between 600 to 1200 mg orally for every 12 hours, should surpass 2.4 g per day.

1. Immediate Release Formulation:

   Children below 2 years: give guaifenesin orally 12 mg/kg/daily in 6 separated dosages.

   Children between 2 to 5 years: give orally 50 to 100 mg every 4 hours as required; do not surpass 600 mg daily.

   Children between 6 to 11 years: give guaifenesin orally 100 to 200 mg every 4 hours as required, not surpassing 1.2 g daily.

   Children above 12 years: give orally 200 to 400 mg every 4 hours as required, not surpassing 2.4 g daily.

2. Sustained Release Formulation:

   Children between 2 to 5 years: Give guaifenesin orally 300 mg every 12 hours, not surpassing 600 mg daily.

   Children between 6 to 11 years: Give guaifenesin orally 600 mg dosage every 12 hours, not surpassing 1.2 g daily.

   Children above 12 years: Give guaifenesin orally 600 to 1200 mg dosage every 12 hours, not surpassing 2.4 g daily.

3. What Other Drugs That Can Affect Guaifenesin?

   This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

   Other medicines may interact with guaifenesin. Inform your doctor of all the drugs you are using. This includes vitamins, herbal medicines and over counter. Do not take any new drug without telling your doctor

Seek immediate medical assistance if you experience any symptoms of allergic reactions to guaifenesin; such as breathing difficulties, hives or swelling of your lips, throat, face and tongue.

Common side effects of guaifenesin include:

• Headache or dizziness
• Stomach upsets, nausea, vomiting are the side effects of guaifenesin.
• Rashes.