Dihydrocodeine, Guaifenesin, And Pseudoephedrine: What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Dihydrocodeine Guaifenesin And Pseudoephedrine

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine?

Before taking dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you have

• taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days;
• epilepsy or another seizure disorder;
• been diagnosed with sleep apnea (periods of not breathing during sleep);
• thyroid problems;
• asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• gallbladder disease;
• a head injury;
• Addison's disease;
• diabetes;
• glaucoma;
• an ulcer or an obstruction in the stomach;
• bladder problems or difficulty urinating;
• an enlarged prostate;
• high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or any type of heart disease;
• kidney problems; or
• liver problems.

You may not be able to take dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine passes into breast milk. Do not take dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of the medication.

The safety of dihydrocodeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine for children younger than 2 years of age has not been established.

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Last updated:	February 13, 2004