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This medication is used to treat and prevent wheezing and trouble breathing caused by ongoing lung disease (e.g., asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis). This medication contains 2 medicines, dyphylline and guaifenesin. Dyphylline belongs to a class of drugs known as xanthines. It works on the airways by relaxing muscles, opening air passages to improve breathing, and decreasing the lungs' response to irritants. Guaifenesin is called an expectorant. It works by making phlegm in the breathing tubes and lungs more liquid. This helps you clear phlegm better. Controlling symptoms of breathing problems can decrease time lost from work or school.This medication does not work immediately and should not be used for sudden attacks of breathing trouble. Your doctor should prescribe a quick-relief medicine/inhaler (e.g., albuterol) for sudden attacks of shortness of breath/asthma while you are taking this medication. You should always have a quick-relief inhaler with you. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Do not use this medication in children younger than 2 years unless specifically directed by the doctor. To decrease the risk for serious side effects, carefully follow all of the doctor's dosage directions. Do not give other cough and cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients (see also Drug Interactions section). Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (e.g., saline nose drops/spray, using a humidifier or infant nasal suction bulb).
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| Overview |
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How To Use |
Side Effects |
Precautions |
Missed Dose |
Drug Interactions |
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Dyfilin-GG
Uses
This medication is used to treat and prevent wheezing and trouble breathing caused by ongoing lung disease (e.g., asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis). This medication contains 2 medicines, dyphylline and guaifenesin. Dyphylline belongs to a class of drugs known as xanthines. It works on the airways by relaxing muscles, opening air passages to improve breathing, and decreasing the lungs' response to irritants. Guaifenesin is called an expectorant. It works by making phlegm in the breathing tubes and lungs more liquid. This helps you clear phlegm better. Controlling symptoms of breathing problems can decrease time lost from work or school.This medication does not work immediately and should not be used for sudden attacks of breathing trouble. Your doctor should prescribe a quick-relief medicine/inhaler (e.g., albuterol) for sudden attacks of shortness of breath/asthma while you are taking this medication. You should always have a quick-relief inhaler with you. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Do not use this medication in children younger than 2 years unless specifically directed by the doctor. To decrease the risk for serious side effects, carefully follow all of the doctor's dosage directions. Do not give other cough and cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients (see also Drug Interactions section). Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (e.g., saline nose drops/spray, using a humidifier or infant nasal suction bulb).
Notes
- Do not share this medication with others.To help loosen phlegm, drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
Storage
- Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light.
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Overdose
- Symptoms of overdose may include: agitation, nausea, frequent vomiting, trouble sleeping, difficulty urinating, unusual thirst, fever, ringing in the ears, seeing flashes of light, chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat, confusion, seizures.
How To Use
- Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 6 to 8 hours or exactly as directed by your doctor.
- If this medication upsets your stomach, take it with food.If you are taking a liquid form of this medication, use a medication-measuring device to carefully measure the prescribed dose.
- Do not use a household spoon.
- You may split tablets along the middle line.
- Swallow capsules whole.Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.This medicine works best when the amount in your body is kept at a constant level.
- Therefore, use this drug at evenly spaced intervals.
- To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
- Do not increase your dose unless directed to do so by your doctor.
- Taking too much dyphylline may cause severe side effects.
- Your doctor will be monitoring your asthma symptoms to determine your correct dose.Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
- If you also have fever or rash, you may have an infection that needs to be treated.
Side Effects
- Stomach pain/cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, trouble sleeping, fast heartbeat, irritability, restlessness, nervousness, shaking, flushing, and increased urination may occur.
- If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
- Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: dizziness, rapid breathing, mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion), weakness, muscle twitching/pain/tenderness.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, fainting, fast/slow heartbeat, sudden pounding/irregular heartbeat, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, black/tarry stools, blood in the urine, seizures.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
- However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, red/scaly skin, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before taking dyphylline/guaifenesin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to certain other medications (e.g., theobromine, aminophylline, theophylline, caffeine); or if you have any other allergies.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: smoking, glaucoma, diabetes, heart problems (e.g., chronic heart failure, angina, heart rhythm problems, recent heart attack), high blood pressure, kidney disease, severe liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis), seizures, stomach/intestinal ulcer, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), cough with large amounts of phlegm.This drug may make you dizzy.
- Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.Liquid preparations of this medication may contain sugar and/or alcohol.
- Caution is advised if you have diabetes or liver disease.
- Ask your doctor about using this product safely.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Careful monitoring of side effects is recommended.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant (e.g., irritability).
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed Dose
- If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not double the dose to catch up.
Drug Interactions
- Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
- Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: theophylline, adenosine, adrenaline-like drugs (e.g., ephedrine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine), certain antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., mexiletine, propafenone, moricizine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, flurazepam, lorazepam), certain beta blockers (e.g., propranolol), digoxin, isoproterenol, lithium, probenecid.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase the side effects of this medication.
- Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.Caffeine and alcohol can increase the side effects of this medication.
- Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing alcohol or caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea, colas), or eating large amounts of chocolate.The dyphylline in this product may interfere with certain medical/laboratory tests (e.g., dipyridamole-thallium imaging tests), possibly causing false test results.
- The guaifenesin in this product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., uric acid levels, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels, vanillylmandelic acid levels), possibly causing false test results.
- Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this medication.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
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