Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
dextromethorphan/guaifenesin
capsule
- 10mg/200mg
granules
- (5mg/100mg)/packet
liquid
- (5mg/100mg)/5mL
- (10mg/100mg)/5mL
- (10mg/150mg)/5mL
- (10mg/200mg)/5mL
- (15mg/100mg)/5mL
- (15mg/200mg)/5mL
- (20mg/200mg)/5mL
- (20mg/300mg)/5mL
liquid oral drops
- (5mg/100mg)/2.5mL
caplet
- 15mg/400mg
- 20mg/400mg
tablet
- 60mg/1000mg
- 60mg/1200mg
tablet, extended-release
- 30mg/600mg
- 60mg/1200mg
tablet, timed release
- 60mg/1200mg
tablet, sustained-release
- 60mg/1200mg
Cough
Indicated for temporary control of cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation
General Guidelines: 200-400 mg guaifenesin and 10-20 mg dextromethorphan q4hr; not to exceed 2400 mg guaifenesin and 120 mg dextromethorphan
Mucinex DM: 1-2 tablets q12hr; not to exceed 4 tablets/24 hours
Robitussin Peak Cold Cough+Chest Congestion DM: 10 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hours
Robitussin Peak Cold Maximum Strength Cough+Chest Congestion DM: 10 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hr
Vicks 44E: 15 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hours
Vicks Pediatric Formula 44E: 30 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hours
Safe Tussin DM: 10 mL PO q4hr prn (10 mg/100 mg per 5 mL)
Dosage Forms & Strengths
dextromethorphan/guaifenesin
capsule
- 10mg/200mg
granules
- (5mg/100mg)/packet
liquid
- (5mg/100mg)/5mL
- (10mg/100mg)/5mL
- (10mg/150mg)/5mL
- (10mg/200mg)/5mL
- (15mg/100mg)/5mL
- (15mg/200mg)/5mL
- (20mg/200mg)/5mL
liquid oral drops
- (5mg/100mg)/2.5mL
caplet
- 15mg/400mg20mg/400mg
tablet
- 20mg/400mg
tablet, extended-release
- 30mg/500mg
- 30mg/575mg
- 30mg/600mg
- 60mg/1000mg
tablet, long-acting
- 30mg/500mg
- 30mg/650mg
- 50mg/1000mg
- 60mg/1000mg
tablet, sustained-release
- 30mg/800mg
- 55mg/1000mg
- 60mg/1000mg
- 60mg/1200mg
Cough
Indicated for temporary control of cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation
<6 years
- Ask a pediatrician
6-12 years
- Guifenex DM, Touro DM: 1 tablet PO q12hr; not to exceed 2 tablets/24 hours
- Robitussin DM, Robitussin Sugar Free Cough: 5 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hours
- Vicks 44E 7.5 mL q4hr; maximum 6 doses/24 hours
- Vicks Pediatric Formula 44E: 15 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hours
>12 years
- Guaifenex DM, Mucinex DM, Touro DM: 1-2 tablets q12hr; not to exceed 4 tablets/24 hours
- Robitussin Peak Cold Cough+Chest Congestion DM: 10 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hr
- Robitussin Peak Cold Maximum Strength Cough+Chest Congestion DM: 10 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hr
- Vicks 44E: 15 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hours
- Vicks Pediatric Formula 44E: 30 mL PO q4hr; not to exceed 6 doses/24 hours
- Safetussin DM: 10 mL PO q4hr prn (10 mg/100 mg per 5 mL)
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results
Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Warnings
Contraindications
Both drugs contraindicated in documented hypersensitivity to either drug or components
Not for persistent cough associated with chronic bronchitis, smoking, asthma, or accompanied with excessive secretions
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnacy Category: C
Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; use with caution
Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should seek advice of health professional before using OTC drugs
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Guaifenesin increases respiratory tract fluid secretions and helps to loosen phlegm and bronchial secretions.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that acts centrally on the cough center in the medulla.
