Pseudovent

Generic name: guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine [ gwye-FEN-e-sin, soo-doe-e-FED-rin ]
Brand names: Ambifed-G, Anatuss LA, Congestac, Decongest II, Defen-LA, ... show all 32 brands Entex PSE, Eudal SR, Fenex-PSE, Guaibid D, Guaifed, Guaifenex PSE 60, Guaitab, Guaivent (Ethex), Guiatuss PE, Humibid GC, Iosal II, Nalex, Panmist LA, Poly-Vent, Pseudovent, Respaire-60 SR, Robitussin PE, Ru Tuss DE, S-Pack, Sinufed, Sinutab Non Drying, Stamoist E, Syn-Rx, Touro LA, Tussin PE, Versacaps, Zephrex
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 18, 2023.

What is Pseudovent?

Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Pseudovent is used to treat nasal and sinus congestion, and to reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold, infections, or allergies.

Pseudovent may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

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. Do not use Pseudovent 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. Do not use any other over-the-counter cough or cold medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains a decongestant or expectorant.

Before taking this medicine

Do not use Pseudovent if you are allergic to guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine, or to other decongestants, diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medications. Do not use Pseudovent 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 Pseudovent, 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 Pseudovent, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Pseudovent may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Pseudovent may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Pseudovent without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Pseudovent?

Use Pseudovent 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. Pseudovent 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. Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking Pseudovent. Take Pseudovent 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 Pseudovent within the past few days.

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Pseudovent is usually taken only as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the Pseudovent at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra Pseudovent to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much Pseudovent. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and feeling restless or nervous.

What should I avoid?

Pseudovent can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking Pseudovent.

Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with a decongestant can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.

Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or cough medicine without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine are contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine.

Pseudovent side effects

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. Stop taking Pseudovent and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;

• severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).

Keep taking Pseudovent and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• dizziness or headache;

• feeling excited or restless;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset;

• mild loss of appetite;

• warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin; or

• skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Pseudovent?

Before taking Pseudovent, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• methyldopa (Aldomet);

• medicines to treat high blood pressure;

• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others; or

• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others.

This is not a complete list and there may be other drugs that can affect Pseudovent. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.03.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Pseudovent only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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