Carbetapentane and guaifenesin

Carbetapentane is a medicine that helps stop coughing. It works on the signals in the brain that make you cough.

Guaifenesin is a medicine that helps clear mucus from your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out.

Carbetapentane and guaifenesin is a combination medicine used to relieve stuffy nose, cough, and chest congestion caused by the common cold or flu.

Carbetapentane and guaifenesin will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Carbetapentane and guaifenesin may also be used for other reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cough or cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms improve.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Take carbetapentane and guaifenesin with a full glass of water. Drink extra fluids to help loosen congestion and lubricate your throat while taking this medication.

Carbetapentane and guaifenesin may be taken with food if it causes stomach upset.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

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

This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you if you have taken a cough medicine within the past few days.

If you need surgery, inform the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cough medicine within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.

Do not use carbetapentane and guaifenesin if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Do not use carbetapentane and guaifenesin if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could happen. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to carbetapentane or guaifenesin.

To make sure carbetapentane and guaifenesin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems;
• heart disease or high blood pressure;
• glaucoma;
• diabetes;
• an enlarged prostate or urination problems; or
• overactive thyroid.

It is not known whether carbetapentane and guaifenesin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Carbetapentane and guaifenesin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Artificially sweetened liquid cough or cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.

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.

This medication may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medication and call your doctor right away if you have:

• confusion, hallucinations, feeling restless or nervous;
• tremors; or
• extreme weakness.

Common side effects of carbetapentane and guaifenesin may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness;
• headache;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• nausea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Since cough or cold medicine is taken as needed, you may not have a regular dosing schedule. If you do have a schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Drinking alcohol can increase drowsiness caused by carbetapentane and guaifenesin.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, or allergy medicine. Cough suppressants and expectorants are found in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can lead to getting too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains a cough suppressant or expectorant.

Taking carbetapentane and guaifenesin with other medications that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing can make these effects worse. Check with your doctor before using carbetapentane and guaifenesin along with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Other medications may interact with carbetapentane and guaifenesin, including both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform each of your health care providers about all medications you are currently using and any medications you begin or stop using.