Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin

Generic name: dextromethorphan and guaifenesin [ DEX-troe-meth-OR-fan-and-gwye-FEN-e-sin ]
Brand names: Alka-Seltzer Plus Maximum Strength, Children Giltuss Cough and Chest Congestion, Children's Delsym Cough+Chest Congest DM, Children's Robitussin Cough and Chest, Children's Robitussin Cough and Chest Congestion DM, ... show all 227 brands Coricidin HBP Chest Congestion and Cough, Delsym Cough Plus Chest Congestion DM, Diabetic Tuss DM, Diabetic Tuss DM Maximum Strength, Diabetic Tussin DM, Fenesin DM IR, Geri-Tussin DM, Giltuss Cough and Chest Congestion, Giltuss Diabetic Cough and Cold, Guaiasorb DM, G-Zyncof, Kindermed Kids' Cough and Congestion, Max Tussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM, Max Tussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM Sugar Free, Maximum Strength Mucus DM, Mucinex Children's Cough, Mucinex Children's Cough Mini-Melts, Mucinex Children's FreeFrom Cough and Mucus, Mucinex Cough and Chest Congestion, Mucinex DM, Mucinex DM Maximum Strength, Mucinex Fast-Max DM Max, Mucus DM, Mucus Relief DM, Pecgen DMX, Robafen DM Cough and Chest Congestion, Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM, Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM Maximum Strength, Robitussin Max Strength 12 Hour Cough and Mucus Relief, Safetussin DM, Scot-Tussin Senior, Siltussin DM, Siltussin DM DAS Cough Formula, Siltussin-DM DAS-NA, Trispec DMX, Tusnel Diabetic, Tussin DM, Tussin DM Max, Tussin DM Sugar Free, Zyncof, Adult Cough DM, Aquatab DM, Broncotron, Children Giltuss Cough and Chest Congestion, Children's Delsym Cough+Chest Congest DM, Children's Robitussin Cough and Chest, Children's Robitussin Cough and Chest Congestion DM, Coricidin HBP Chest Congestion and Cough, DayQuil Mucus Control DM, Delsym Cough Plus Chest Congestion DM, Diabetic Tuss DM, Diabetic Tuss DM Maximum Strength, Diabetic Tussin DM, Fenesin DM IR, G-Zyncof, Geri-Tussin DM, Giltuss Cough and Chest Congestion, Giltuss Diabetic Cough and Cold, Guaiasorb DM, GuaiFENesin DM, Kindermed Kids' Cough and Congestion, Max Tussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM, Max Tussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM Sugar Free, Maximum Strength Mucus DM, Mucinex Children's Cough, Mucinex Children's Cough Mini-Melts, Mucinex Children's FreeFrom Cough and Mucus, Mucinex Cough and Chest Congestion, Mucinex DM, Mucinex DM Maximum Strength, Mucinex Fast-Max DM Max, Mucus DM, Mucus Relief DM, Pecgen DMX, Phlemex, Robafen DM Cough and Chest Congestion, Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM, Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM Maximum Strength, Robitussin Max Strength 12 Hour Cough and Mucus Relief, Safetussin DM, Scot-Tussin Senior, Siltussin DM, Siltussin DM DAS Cough Formula, Siltussin-DM DAS-NA, Siltussin-DM DAS-NA Maximum Strength, TabTussin DM, Trispec DMX, Tusnel Diabetic, Tussin DM, Tussin DM Max, Tussin DM Sugar Free, Zyncof, Gani-Tuss-DM NR, Guaibid DM, Guaifenex DM, Muco-Fen DM, Guiadrine DM, Fenex-DM, Iobid DM, Q-Bid DM, Aquabid DM, Touro DM, Respa-DM, Mucobid DM, Fenesin DM, Humibid DM Pediatric, Iofen-DM NF, Phanatuss, Naldecon Senior DX, Guiatussin-DM, Halotussin DM, Guiatuss DM, Halotussin DM Sugar Free, Rhinosyn-DMX, Tuss-DM, Kolephrin GG/DM, Cheracol D Cough, Genatuss DM, Glycotuss-DM, Mytussin DM, Tolu-Sed DM, Benylin Expectorant, Vicks 44E Pediatric, Guiacough DM, Lotussin DM, Anti-Tuss DM, Biotuss DM, Cheracol-D, GG/DM, Mastussin DM, Recofen D, Recofen Plus, Ri-Tussin DM, Robafen DM, Robichem DM, T-Tussin DM, Tusscidin DM, Bidex-DM, Diabetic Suppressant, Duraganidin, G Bid DM, GG-DM SR, Humigen DM, Tussidin DM, Altarussin DM, Amibid DM, Guiat Clear DM, Cough Formula-DM, Double-Tussin DM, Guaiasorb Cough Medicine, Kita La Tos, Q-Tussin DM, Scot-Tussin DM, Nalspan Senior DX, Vicks 44E, Naldecon DX Liquigel, Safetussin 30 DM, Duratuss DM, Guiatuss Clear, Iophen DM NR, Allfen-DM, S-Pack DM, HT Tuss DM, Monafed DM, Hydro-Tuss DM, Drituss DM, Guaifen DM, Maxi-Tuss DM, Robitussin-SF, Su-Tuss DM, Muco-Fen 800 DM, Guai-Dex, GuaiFENesin DM SR, Tussi-Bid, Sudal DM, Iophen DM, Ru-Tuss 800 DM, Mintab DM, Mindal DM, Atuss-12 DX, Z-Cof LA, Extuss LA, DuraDEX, Humibid CS, Simuc-DM, Cofex-DM, G-Bid DM, Relacon LAX, Ambi 1000/55, Z-Cof LAX, Robafen DM Clear, DuraDEX Forte, Robitussin DM Infant Drops, Zotex DMX, Tussi-Organidin DM NR, Tussi-Organidin DM-S NR, Duratuss DM 12, Robitussin Cough Sugar-Free DM, Dex-Tuss DM, Bidex-A, GuaiFENesin DM NR, Children's Mucus Relief Cough, ExeFen-DM, Bidex-DMI, Robitussin Cough and Congestion, Allfen DM, Robitussin Cough and Congestion DM Max, Robitussin DM Sugar Free, Tussin Cough, Robitussin DM To Go, Tussin DM Clear, Congesta DM, Robafen DM Max, Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM Peak Cold Sugar-Free, Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM Peak Cold, Robitussin Cough+Chest Cong DM, G-Tron, DayQuil Nature Fusion, Creo-Terpin, Children's Triaminic Cough and Congestion, Robitussin Peak Cold Max Strength Cough+Chest Congestion DM, Robafen DM Cough
Dosage forms: oral capsule (10 mg-200 mg), oral granule (5 mg-100 mg), oral liquid (10 mg-100 mg/10 mL; 10 mg-100 mg/5 mL; 10 mg-187 mg/5 mL; 10 mg-200 mg/5 mL; 15 mg-200 mg/5 mL; 20 mg-200 mg/10 mL; 20 mg-200 mg/20 mL; 20 mg-400 mg/20 mL; 20 mg-400 mg/5 mL; 5 mg-100 mg/5 mL), ... show all 6 dosage forms oral tablet (15 mg-400 mg; 20 mg-400 mg), oral tablet, effervescent (10 mg-200 mg), oral tablet, extended release (30 mg-600 mg; 60 mg-1200 mg)
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Apr 4, 2025. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is dextromethorphan and guaifenesin?

Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin is a combination medicine used to treat cough and chest congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

dextromethorphan and guaifenesin may cause serious side effects. Stop using dextromethorphan and guaifenesin and call your doctor at once if you have:

• mood changes;

• severe headache; or

• severe dizziness or anxiety, feeling like you might pass out.

Common side effects of dextromethorphan and guaifenesin may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• diarrhea; or

• feeling nervous, restless, anxious, or irritable.

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.

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

Do not use this medicine if you are using or if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take dextromethorphan and guaifenesin if you are allergic to it.

Do not use dextromethorphan and guaifenesin if you are using or if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have:

• a cough with mucus; or

• asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.

This medicine may contain phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take dextromethorphan and guaifenesin?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Cold or cough medicine is only for short-term use.

Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Follow all directions when giving this medicine to a child. Do not use the medicine to make a child sleepy. Misuse of this medicine may cause death in very young children.

Measure liquid medicine with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

You may need to shake the liquid before you measure a dose. Follow all directions on the label.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

Dissolve the effervescent tablets in at least 4 ounces of water. Stir and drink right away. Add more water to the glass, swirl and drink.

Sprinkle the granules directly onto your tongue and swallow right away.

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

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days, or if you have a fever, rash, or headaches.

Follow the storage instructions provided with this medicine. Your pharmacist can provide more information about how to store this medicine.

What happens if I miss a dose?

dextromethorphan and guaifenesin is used when needed. If you are on a dosing schedule, skip any missed dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while taking dextromethorphan and guaifenesin?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how dextromethorphan and guaifenesin will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking other cough or cold medicines that may contain similar ingredients.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

What other drugs will affect dextromethorphan and guaifenesin?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicines that can cause drowsiness (such as opioid medication, sleep medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures). Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Further information

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

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

Medical Disclaimer

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