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Printable Version Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine extended-release tablets

Active Ingredients: Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin, Phenylephrine extended-release tablets
Representative Names: DuraTuss A

What are Acetaminophen; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine extended-release tablets?
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
How should this medicine be used?
What if I miss a dose?
What drug(s) may interact with Acetaminophen; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine?
What side effects may I notice from receiving Acetaminophen; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine?
What should I watch for while taking Acetaminophen; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine?
Where can I keep my medicine?

What are Acetaminophen; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine extended-release tablets? (Back to top)
ACETAMINOPHEN; GUAIFENESIN; PHENYLEPHRINE (DuraTuss® A, Lusonex® Plus, and others) is used to decrease symptoms caused by the common cold, flu, sinus congestion, and other conditions. Acetaminophen helps lower fever and relieve muscle aches, headache, and sore throat pain. Phenylephrine is a decongestant that decreases nasal or sinus congestion (stuffiness). Guaifenesin is an expectorant that loosens phlegm or mucus. This product is not intended to treat chronic cough caused by smoking, asthma, emphysema, heart failure.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? (Back to top)
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•anemia
•asthma
•blood vessel disease
•chronic bronchitis
•diabetes
•difficulty urinating
•drink more than 3 alcohol-containing drinks per day
•emphysema
•fever
•glaucoma
•heart disease or heart rhythm problems
•high blood pressure
•infection
•kidney disease
•liver disease
•over active thyroid
•peripheral vascular disease
•prostate trouble
•an unusual reaction to acetaminophen, guaifenesin, phenylephrine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should this medicine be used? (Back to top)
Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not bite, crush, or chew the tablet. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Elderly patients over 60 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose? (Back to top)
If you miss a dose, and you are taking it on a regular schedule, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose (less than 8 hours), take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with Acetaminophen; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine? (Back to top)
•alcohol
•amphetamine or other stimulant drugs
•antacids
•bromocriptine
•cimetidine
•cocaine
•furazolidone
•linezolid
•medicines for colds and breathing difficulties
•medicines for diabetes
•medicines known as MAO inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), and selegiline (Carbex®, Eldepryl®)
•medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
•medicines for migraine
•medicines for seizures
•procarbazine
•some medicines for chest pain, heart disease, high blood pressure or heart rhythm problems
•some medicines for weight loss (including some herbal products, ephedrine, dextroamphetamine)
•St. John's wort
•theophylline
•thyroid hormones
•warfarin

Some medications can cause a cough such as ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, and others) which are used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure. Tell your doctor about all the prescription medications you are taking.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from receiving Acetaminophen; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine? (Back to top)
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•anxiety or nervousness
•bloody or black, tarry stools
•chest pain
•confusion
•dizziness, or fainting spells
•excessive sweating
•fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations
•fever or sore throat
•high blood pressure
•numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
•rapid or troubled breathing, or wheezing
•pain or difficulty passing urine
•severe, persistent, or worsening headache
•sleeplessness (insomnia)
•skin rash or hives
•stomach cramps and pain
•tremor
•unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin
•unusual tiredness or weakness
•vomiting
•yellowing of the skin or eyes

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•headache (mild)
•loss of appetite
•nausea
•restlessness

What should I watch for while taking Acetaminophen; Guaifenesin; Phenylephrine? (Back to top)
Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms have not improved within 7 days, or if you have a high fever, skin rash, continuing headache, or sore throat with your cough. These signs may mean that you have other medical problems.

If this medicine makes it difficult for you to sleep at night; take your last dose a few hours before bedtime. If nervousness, dizziness, or sleeplessness occur, stop using and consult a health care professional.

Drink plenty of fluids while you are taking this drug; this will help loosen the mucus.

Report any possible overdose to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible. The effects of too much acetaminophen may not be obvious for several days. Many non-prescription medicines contain acetaminophen as an ingredient. Always read the labels carefully to avoid taking an accidental overdose.

Avoid alcoholic drinks if you are taking this medicine on a regular basis. Alcohol can increase possible damage to your liver.

Acetaminophen can affect the results from some blood-sugar tests used by diabetic patients. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

If you are receiving cancer chemotherapy or other immunosuppression medicine, do not take this medicine; check with your prescriber or health care professional first. Acetaminophen may hide the signs of an infection such as fever or pain.

Where can I keep my medicine? (Back to top)
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature, between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F), unless otherwise specified on the product label. Protect from heat and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Last Updated:01/25/2007

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY©
GOLD STANDARD MULTIMEDIA INC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.

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