What is Dyphylline Guaifenesin?
Dyphylline is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.
The combination of dyphylline and guaifenesin is used to treat cough and breathing problems caused by bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. This medication is not a cure for asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema.
Dyphylline and guaifenesin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Dyphylline Guaifenesin?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dyphylline or guaifenesin. This medication will not treat an asthma attack.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or a history of heart attack, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, or a stomach ulcer.
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
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.
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking this medication.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough or cold medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Guaifenesin is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much guaifenesin. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains guaifenesin.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Dyphylline Guaifenesin?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dyphylline or guaifenesin. This medication will not treat an asthma attack.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take dyphylline and guaifenesin, tell your doctor if you have:
- heart disease or a history of heart attack
- high blood pressure
- overactive thyroid; or
- a stomach ulcer
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether dyphylline and guaifenesin is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Dyphylline and guaifenesin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Dyphylline Guaifenesin Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Dyphylline Guaifenesin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
- rapid breathing
- muscle twitching
- feeling like you might pass out
- seizure (convulsions); or
- extreme thirst with headache, nausea, vomiting, and weakness
Less serious side effects may include:
- headache
- mild nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
- feeling restless, agitated, or irritable
- sleep problems (insomnia); or
- warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Dyphylline Guaifenesin Interactions
What other drugs affect Dyphylline Guaifenesin?
The following drugs can interact with dyphylline and guaifenesin. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:
- probenecid (Benemid)
- aminophylline (Phyllocontin, Truphylline); or
- theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with dyphylline and guaifenesin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Dyphylline Guaifenesin?
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough or cold medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Guaifenesin is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much guaifenesin. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains guaifenesin.
Dyphylline Guaifenesin Dosage
How should I take Dyphylline Guaifenesin?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
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.
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking this medication.
Take dyphylline and guaifenesin with food if it upsets your stomach.
Measure the liquid form of dyphylline and guaifenesin 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.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using dyphylline and guaifenesin.
Store dyphylline and guaifenesin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I overdose on Dyphylline Guaifenesin?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, sweating, fast or slow heart rate, ringing in your ears, feeling anxious or irritable, and seizure (convulsions).
What happens if I miss a dose of Dyphylline Guaifenesin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com