Albatussin

Pronunciation: FEN-il-EF-rin/kar-bay-ta-PEN-tane/gwye-FEN-e-sin
Generic Name: Phenylephrine/Carbetapentane/Guaifenesin
Brand Name: Albatussin

Albatussin is used for:

Relieving congestion, cough, and throat and airway irritation due to colds, flu, or hay fever. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Albatussin is a decongestant, cough suppressant, and expectorant combination. The decongestant works by constricting blood vessels, reducing swelling in the nasal passages. The expectorant works by loosening mucus and lung secretions in the chest, making coughs more productive. The cough suppressant works in the brain to help decrease the cough reflex.

Do NOT use Albatussin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Albatussin


• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, or other severe heart problems (eg, heart blood vessel disease)


• you take droxidopa or have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Albatussin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Albatussin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye, enlarged prostate gland or other prostate problems, heart problems (eg, fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, heart disease), diabetes, high blood pressure, blood vessel problems, adrenal gland problems (eg, pheochromocytoma), mental or mood problems (eg, depression), trouble sleeping, an overactive thyroid, seizures, or stroke


• if you have a history of asthma or other breathing problems, chronic cough, lung problems (eg, chronic bronchitis, emphysema), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or if your cough occurs with large amounts of mucus


• if you are in poor health or very overweight


• if you take medicine for high blood pressure or depression

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Albatussin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Digoxin or droxidopa because the risk of irregular heartbeat or heart attack may be increased


• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, tolcapone), furazolidone, linezolid, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Albatussin's side effects


• Bromocriptine because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Albatussin


• Guanadrel, guanethidine, medicines for high blood pressure, mecamylamine, methyldopa, or reserpine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Albatussin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Albatussin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Albatussin:

Use Albatussin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Albatussin by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.


• Swallow Albatussin whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Some brands of Albatussin may be broken in half before taking. If you have difficulty swallowing the whole tablet, ask your pharmacist if your brand of medicine may be broken in half.


• Take Albatussin with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).


• Drink plenty of water while taking Albatussin.


• If you miss a dose of Albatussin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Albatussin.

Important safety information:

• Albatussin may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Albatussin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do not use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Albatussin; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Do not take appetite suppressants while you are taking Albatussin without checking with your doctor.


• Albatussin has a decongestant, cough suppressant, and an expectorant in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has a decongestant, cough suppressant, and an expectorant in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• If your symptoms do not get better within 5 to 7 days, if they get worse, or if they occur along with a fever, check with your doctor.


• Do not use Albatussin for a cough with a lot of mucus. Do not use it for a long-term cough (eg, caused by asthma, emphysema, smoking). However, you may use it for these conditions if your doctor tells you to.


• Albatussin may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure that your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Albatussin.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Albatussin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Use Albatussin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Caution is advised when using Albatussin in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Albatussin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Albatussin while you are pregnant. It is not known if Albatussin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Albatussin.

Possible side effects of Albatussin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; excitability; headache; irritability; nausea; stomach upset; trouble sleeping.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty urinating; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, nervousness); paleness; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, headache, or lightheadedness; tremor.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Albatussin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include bizarre behavior; blurred vision; confusion; difficulty urinating; fast or shallow breathing; hallucinations; paleness; restlessness; seizures; severe dizziness, headache, or lightheadedness; severe drowsiness; tremor; unusually fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; vomiting.

Proper storage of Albatussin:

Store Albatussin at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Albatussin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Albatussin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Albatussin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Albatussin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Albatussin resources

• Albatussin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Albatussin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Albatussin Drug Interactions
• Albatussin Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Albatussin - Add your own review/rating

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