home > drugs a-z list > guaifenex pse 60 (guaifenesin pseudoephedrine extended-release tablets) drug center > guaifenex pse 60 (guaifenesin pseudoephedrine extended-release tablets) drug - patient how to take

In this Article

• What is guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine (Guaifenex PSE 60)?
• What are the possible side effects of guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
• What is the most important information I should know about guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
• How should I take guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
• What other drugs will affect guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine, or to other decongestants, diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medications.

Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

Before taking guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease or high blood pressure;
• diabetes; or
• a thyroid disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use this medication, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

This medication may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Artificially-sweetened liquid forms of cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. This would be important to know if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Check the ingredients and warnings on the medication label if you are concerned about phenylalanine.

How should I take guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open a controlled-release, delayed-release, or extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Measure the liquid form of this medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking this medication.

Take guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine with food if it upsets your stomach.

Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.

Store this medicine at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.