Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine/guaifenesin
liquid
- (650mg/20mg/10mg/400mg)/20mL
- (325mg/10mg/5mg/200mg)/15mL
tablet
- 325mg/10mg/5mg/200mg
- 325mg/15mg/5mg/200mg
- 325mg/10mg/5mg/100mg
Relief of Cold Symptoms
20 mL [(650mg/20mg/10mg/400mg)/20mL] PO q4hr; not to exceed 120 mL/day
30 mL [(325mg/10mg/5mg/200mg)/15mL] PO q4hr; not to exceed 180 mL/day
2 tablets (325mg/10mg/5mg/200mg) PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 tablets/day
2 tablets (325mg/15mg/5mg/200mg) PO q6-8hr; not to exceed 8 tablets/day
2 tablets (325mg/10mg/5mg/100mg) PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 tablets/day
Dosage Forms & Strengths
acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine/guaifenesin
liquid
- (325mg/10mg/5mg/200mg)/10mL (Children’s Mucinex Multi-Symptom Cold & Fever; Children's Mucinex Cold, Cough & Sore Throat)
- (650mg/20mg/10mg/400mg)/20mL
tablet
- 325mg/10mg/5mg/100mg (Sudafed PE Cold & Cough)
- 325mg/10mg/5mg/200mg
Relief of Cold Symptoms
< 12 years
- Not recommended
>12 years
- 20 mL [(650mg/20mg/10mg/400mg)/20mL] PO q4hr; not to exceed 120 mL/day
- 30 mL [(325mg/10mg/5mg/200mg)/15mL] PO q4hr; not to exceed 180 mL/day
- 2 tablets (325mg/10mg/5mg/200mg) PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 tablets/day
- 2 tablets (325mg/15mg/5mg/200mg) PO q6-8hr; not to exceed 8 tablets/day
- 2 tablets (325mg/10mg/5mg/100mg) PO q4hr; not to exceed 12 tablets/day
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Hypertension
Reflex tachycardia
Severe peripheral and visceral vasoconstriction
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Excitability
Headache
Restlessness
Tremor
Dermatologic rash
Nausea
Vomiting
Anemia blood dyscrasias (neutropenia, pancytopenia, leukopenia)
Bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase may increase
Warnings
Contraindications
Documented hypersensitivity to any of the drugs or components
Cautions
Caution in elderly patients, hyperthyroidism, myocardial disease, bradycardia, partial heart block or severe atherosclerosis when administering phenylephrine; in hypovolemia, phenylephrine use is not a substitute for replacement of blood, fluids and electrolytes, and plasma (promptly restore with loss); dilute IV and administer via large vein; extravasation precautions required
Not for persistent cough associated with chronic bronchitis, smoking, asthma, or accompanied with excessive secretions
Acetaminophen hepatotoxicity possible in chronic alcoholics following various dose levels; severe or recurrent pain or high or continued fever may indicate a serious illness; contained in many OTC products and combined use with these products may result in toxicity due to cumulative doses exceeding recommended maximum dose
Acetaminophen: Risk for rare, but serious skin reactions that can be fatal; these reactions include Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP); symptoms may include skin redness, blisters and rash
Pregnancy & Lactation
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
Dextromethorphan: Cough suppressant that acts centrally on the cough center in the medulla
Guaifenesin: Increases respiratory tract fluid secretions and helps to loosen phlegm and bronchial secretions
Phenylephrine: Vasoconstrictor and a decongestant that relieves symptoms resulting from irritation of upper respiratory tract tissue; shrinks swollen mucous membranes, reduces nasal congestion and tissue hyperemia
Acetaminophen: Blocks pain impulse generation peripherally and may inhibit the generation of prostaglandin in the CNS; reduces fever by inhibiting the hypothalamic heat-regulating center
Pharmacokinetics
Acetaminophen
- Peak plasma time: 10-60 min (PO immediate release); 60-120 min (PO extended release); 6 hr (PO 500 mg tablet); 8 hr (PO 650 mg extended release tablet)
- Vd: 1 L/kg
- Protein binding: 10-25%
- Metabolism: Liver (microsomal enzyme systems); conjugation (glucuronic acid)
- Half-life: 1.25-3hr
- Excretion: Urine
Dextromethorphan
- Onset: 15-30 min
- Duration: 3-6 hr
- Metabolism: Hepatic P450 enzyme CYP2D6
- Excretion: Urine
- Half-life: 2-4 hr (extensive metabolizers); 24 hr (poor metabolizers)
- Peak plasma time: 2-3 hr
Phenylephrine
- Half-life: 2-3 hr
- Onset: 10-15 min
- Duration: 15 min
- Bioavailability: < 38%
- Excretion: Urine (80-90%)
- Peak plasma time: 0.75-2 hr
- Vd: 26-61 L
- Vdss: 340 L
Guaifenesin
- Half-Life: 1 hr
- Onset: 30 min
- Duration: 4-6 hr
- Metabolism: Liver
- Metabolite: b-(2-methoxyphenoxy) lactic acid
- Excretion: Urine