Fentuss ExpectorantOral - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Fentuss Expectorant images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Fentuss Expectorant

Uses
This medication is used for temporary relief of coughs without phlegm that are caused by certain infections of the air passages (e.g., bronchitis, sinusitis, common cold). This product is generally not used for an ongoing cough from smoking or long-term breathing problems (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema), unless directed by your doctor. This product contains two medicines, guaifenesin and hydrocodone. Guaifenesin is called an expectorant. It works by making phlegm in the breathing tubes more fluid. This helps the cough to clear phlegm better. Hydrocodone is a narcotic cough suppressant that works by decreasing the feeling of needing to cough.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.
It is against the law.This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only.
Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor.
A different medication may be necessary in those cases.Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
This may help to relieve congestion.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include: vomiting, slow/shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, inability to wake up, weakness, cold/clammy skin.

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 4-6 hours or as directed by your doctor.
For best results, take with a full glass of water.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment.
If you are using the liquid form, measure the dose carefully using a special medication spoon or oral measuring syringe.
Do not use a household spoon.
Do not take more than the maximum daily dose for your age group unless instructed to do so by your doctor.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.This medication may cause dependence, especially if it has been used regularly for an extended time or if it has been used in high doses.
In such cases, if you suddenly stop this drug, withdrawal reactions may occur.
Such reactions can include runny nose, sweating, restlessness, widened pupils, loss of appetite, goose bumps, irritability, and shakiness.
Fast heartbeat and muscle/bone pain may also occur.
Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately.
When stopping extended, regular treatment with this drug, gradually reducing the dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Though it is very unlikely to occur, this medication can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction/habit forming).
Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer time than prescribed.
Properly stop the medication when so directed.
This will lessen the chances of becoming addicted.When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing.
Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.Inform your doctor if your cough persists or worsens after more than 1 week or if you also have fever, headache, or rash.

Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, sleepiness, loss of appetite, nervousness, dry mouth, or blurred vision may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber and drink plenty of water.
If you become constipated while using this drug, consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative (e.g., stimulant-type with stool softener).Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because 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: difficulty staying awake, confusion, slow/shallow breathing, difficult/painful urination, irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, hallucinations).Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: severe stomach/abdominal pain, change in the amount of urine, seizures.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking guaifenesin/hydrocodone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to sulfites; or to other narcotics (e.g., codeine); or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe breathing problems (e.g., severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, advanced emphysema), increased pressure in the brain (intracranial hypertension), certain bowel diseases (e.g., paralytic ileus), intoxication with medications which cause sleepiness or slow/shallow breathing (CNS/respiratory depressants such as alcohol or tranquilizers/sedatives).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: difficulty urinating (e.g., due to enlarged prostate, urethral stricture), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, breathing problems (e.g., asthma, mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, moderate/severe sleep apnea), smoking, cough with large amounts of phlegm, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, low blood pressure, gallbladder/biliary tract problems, swollen pancreas (pancreatitis), certain brain problems (e.g., brain tumor, lesions), head injury, seizures, slow/irregular heartbeat, adrenal gland problems (e.g., Addison's disease), mental/mood disorders (e.g., toxic psychosis), a certain spine problem (kyphoscoliosis), recent surgery, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), a severe loss of body water (dehydration), severe obesity, stomach pain of unknown cause.This drug may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness or clear vision such as driving or using machinery.
Avoid alcoholic beverages because they may increase the risk of side effects.To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its side effects (e.g., slow/shallow breathing, drowsiness, dizziness).Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to its side effects (e.g., slow/shallow breathing, drowsiness, dizziness).This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
It is not recommended for use over long periods or in high doses near the expected delivery date because it may harm the unborn baby.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk.
Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it.
Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, naltrexone.Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during, or after treatment with this medication.
In some rare cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur.If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: amphetamines (e.g., methylphenidate, mixed amphetamine salts), water pills (diuretics such as furosemide), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove hydrocodone from your system (e.g., cimetidine, rifamycins including rifampin).Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that may cause drowsiness, slow your breathing, or lower your blood pressure such as: antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives, hypnotics), muscle relaxants, other narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, tricyclics such as amitriptyline), tranquilizers.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients.
Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.Guaifenesin is available in both prescription and nonprescription products.
Check the labels of all your medications carefully to make sure you are not taking more than one product containing guaifenesin.This product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., uric acid levels, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels, vanillylmandelic acid levels).
Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

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.