Dextromethorphan / guaifenesin Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 24, 2022.

Dextromethorphan / guaifenesin is also known as: Amibid DM, Broncotron, Chest Congestion Relief DM, Coricidin HBP Chest Congestion & Cough, Coricidin HBP Multi-Symptom Cold (Day), Cough Formula-DM, Creo-Terpin, Delsym Cough+ Chest Congestion DM, Diabetic Tuss DM, Diabetic Tussin Cough and Chest Congestion DM, G-Zyncof, Mucinex Children's Cough, Mucinex DM, Mucinex DM Maximum Strength, Mucosa DM, Mucus Relief DM, Pecgen DMX, Robafen DM, Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM, Safetussin DM, Siltussin DM, Tussin DM, Tussin DM Max, Vicks DayQuil Cough & Congestion, Zyncof

Dextromethorphan / guaifenesin Pregnancy Warnings

The manufacturer makes no recommendation regarding use during pregnancy.

AU TGA pregnancy category: A
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned

Comments:
-There is no data on use in pregnant women to know this drugs risks, including the risk of fetal harm or reproductive effects.
-Available human data does not demonstrate major teratogenicity with dextromethorphan.
-Fetuses of mothers with slow dextromethorphan may be exposed to higher concentrations, but the clinical significance is unknown.
-According to some authorities dextromethorphan is compatible with pregnancy; low birth defect incidences were seen in surveillance studies.
-Available data do not indicate developmental toxicity with guaifenesin.

Animal studies are not available for the combination product. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

Dextromethorphan: The only published animal study was done in chick embryos and showed a dose-related increase in embryo mortality, however no chicks were allowed to hatch and all doses given were fatal, so teratogenicity information was not obtained. Unpublished studies in rats, mice, and rabbits indicate no embryofetal harm. A monitoring study including 300 mother-child pairs that had first trimester dextromethorphan exposure showed 24 congenital abnormalities for a standardized relative risk (SRR) of 1.18, and a SRR of 1.01 for any pregnancy exposure (15 malformations/580 exposures). Placental transfer is likely with dextromethorphan's low molecular weight (about 271).

Guaifenesin: Animal studies are not available. A monitoring study including 197 mother-child pairs that had first trimester guaifenesin exposure showed an increase in inguinal hernias; 1336 any time pregnancy exposures showed no association with malformations.

AU TGA pregnancy category A: Drugs which have been taken by a large number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age without any proven increase in the frequency of malformations or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the fetus having been observed.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

See references

Dextromethorphan / guaifenesin Breastfeeding Warnings

Caution is recommended.

Excreted into human milk: Data not available (dextromethorphan, guaifenesin)
Excreted into animal milk: Data not available (dextromethorphan, guaifenesin)

Comments:
-There is no information regarding this drug on the presence in human milk, the effects on a breastfed infant, or effects on milk production.
-Given dextromethorphan's low molecular weight, excretion into breast milk is probable.
-Guaifenesin from breast milk is not expected to adversely affect nursing infants at normal parental doses.

See references

Further information

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