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Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
The side effects of theophylline are more likely to occur in newborn infants, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.
Although there is no specific information about the use of guaifenesin in children, it is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Geriatric
Patients older than 60 years of age are likely to require a lower dose than younger adults. If the amount of theophylline is too high, side effects are more likely to occur. Your doctor may want to take blood samples to determine whether a dose change is needed.
Although there is no specific information about the use of guaifenesin in the elderly, it is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Febuxostat
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Bupropion
- Cimetidine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Enoxacin
- Erythromycin
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Etintidine
- Etonogestrel
- Fluvoxamine
- Halothane
- Idrocilamide
- Imipenem
- Levofloxacin
- Mestranol
- Mexiletine
- Norelgestromin
- Norethindrone
- Norgestrel
- Pefloxacin
- Peginterferon Alfa-2a
- Rofecoxib
- Thiabendazole
- Troleandomycin
- Zileuton
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Adenosine
- Adinazolam
- Alprazolam
- Aminoglutethimide
- Amiodarone
- Azithromycin
- Bromazepam
- Brotizolam
- Cannabis
- Carbamazepine
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Clorazepate
- Diazepam
- Disulfiram
- Estazolam
- Flunitrazepam
- Flurazepam
- Fosphenytoin
- Halazepam
- Interferon Alfa-2a
- Ipriflavone
- Isoproterenol
- Ketazolam
- Lorazepam
- Lormetazepam
- Medazepam
- Methotrexate
- Midazolam
- Nilutamide
- Nitrazepam
- Oxazepam
- Pancuronium
- Pentoxifylline
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Piperine
- Prazepam
- Propafenone
- Quazepam
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Riluzole
- Ritonavir
- Secobarbital
- St John's Wort
- Tacrine
- Tacrolimus
- Telithromycin
- Temazepam
- Ticlopidine
- Triazolam
- Viloxazine
- Zafirlukast
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Caffeine
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Convulsions (seizures)—Theophylline may make this condition worse
- Heart failure or
- Liver disease or
- Underactive thyroid—The effects of theophylline may be increased
