Expectorant And Decongestant Cough Syrup
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you take this medicine because it contains important information you need to know.
This medicine is available without prescription, however, you still need to use this product carefully to get the best results from it. Keep this leaflet as you may need to read it again. Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
Treating cough and cold in children
It's normal for children to get 8 or more colds in a year. Gradually they build up immunity and get fewer colds. Most colds will get better within a few days and you may not need to do more than keep your child comfortable until they get over it. Because colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, antibiotics don't help.
Here are simple steps to help your child who has a cough or cold.
i. If they are hot/feverish: Increase the amount of fluid your child normally drinks. Lower their temperature with a paracetamol or ibuprofen medicine which has doses for children. (Paracetamol is not for children under 2 months. Ibuprofen is not for children under 3 months)
ii. For coughs: Although it is distressing to hear your child cough, in fact coughing serves a purpose. It helps to clear phlegm on the chest or mucus from the nose. Give the child plenty of warm clear fluids to drink.
iii. To help with breathing: Plain saline nose drops, available from your pharmacy, can help babies with blocked noses who are having trouble feeding.
1. What is this medicine and what is it used for?
This medicine contains:
• guaifenesin which is an expectorant to help loosen phlegm
• pseudoephedrine which is a decongestant to reduce swelling in the passages of the nose to help you breathe more easily.
his cough syrup is used to loosen stubborn mucus (phlegm) and provide relief from chesty coughs. It also relieves the symptoms of blocked nose (nasal congestion), runny nose (catarrh) and blocked sinuses (sinusitis).
2. Is this medicine suitable for you?
Do not take this medicine if you:
• are allergic to guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine or any of the other ingredients
• are under 6 years of age
• are in early pregnancy, unless your doctor has told you to
• are taking, or have taken antidepressant drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's) or reverse inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (RIMA's) within the last 2 weeks (e.g. phenelzine, isocarboxazid, moclobemide)
• are taking other decongestant or cough and cold medicines
• are taking beta blockers (used to treat high blood pressure)
• have porphyria, which is a type of blood disorder that causes skin or nervous system problems
• have an addiction to alcohol
• have heart disease
• have severe kidney problems
• have high blood pressure (hypertension)
• have diabetes
• have closed angle glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
• have an overactive thyroid
• have a tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma).
Please see your doctor or pharmacist before
taking this medicine if you:
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• suffer from a very bad cough or if your cough lasts for more than 5 days, or comes back, or if you also have a fever, rash or persistent headache
• suffer from an irregular heart rate (arrhythmias)
• suffer from liver problems, including alcoholic liver disease
• suffer from epilepsy
• suffer from blood circulation disorders
• have a long-term cough or asthma, or are having an asthma attack
• have an enlarged prostate gland
• have kidney problems
• have an intolerance to some sugars.
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If you are taking any of the following medicines please see your doctor:
• medicines to treat high blood pressure, including alpha and beta blockers.
• oxytocin, used in pregnant women to start labour
• cough suppressants (e.g. dextromethorphan, pholcodine)
• cardiac glycosides, which are medicines for heart problems (e.g. digoxin)
• ergot alkaloids for the treatment of migraine (e.g. ergotamine, methysergide)
• appetite suppressants (e.g. orlistat, sibutramine) and stimulants (e.g. dexamfetamine)
• antimuscarinic/anticholinergic drugs, such as tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline), or atropine (used to treat some heart, eye and bowel conditions).
Information about some of the ingredients in his medicine:
Contains alcohol (ethanol). This medicinal product contains 2.85% volume of ethanol (alcohol) i.e. up to 351 mg per 15 ml dose, equivalent to 8.5 ml of beer, 3.6 ml of wine per dose. Harmful for those suffering from alcoholism. To be taken into account in pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and high risk groups such as patients with liver disease, or epilepsy.
Contains sorbitol (E420). If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
Contains the colouring agent ponceau 4R (E124). May cause allergic reactions.
3. How to take this medicine
Shake the bottle well before use. Measure the syrup using the dosing cup provided.
Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years:
15 ml.
Children 6 - 12 years: 7.5 ml. If the child's symptoms get worse while taking this syrup see your doctor. Not to be used for more than 5 days without the advice of a doctor.
Each dose should be taken as required, but do not repeat the dose more frequently than every 6 hours. Not more than 3 doses should be taken in any 24 hours. Do not exceed the stated dose.
Do not give to children under 6 years of age.
Do not take with any other cough and cold medicine.
If your symptoms persist or worsen, you must see a doctor or pharmacist.
If you take too much cough liquid by mistake, contact your doctor or pharmacist straight away. Very large doses can cause sickness (nausea and vomiting).
4. Possible side effects
Most people do not have any side effects while taking this medicine. However, if you experience any side effects, or anything else unusual happens, stop taking the medicine immediately, and see your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects which may occur are:
• an irregular heart beat, high blood pressure
• anxiety, excitability
• headache
• restlessness, irritability
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• stomach ache and discomfort, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick)
• hallucinations, feelings of paranoia
• allergic reactions such as skin rash
• difficulty passing urine.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store your medicine
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack.
6. What is in this medicine?
Each 15 ml dose of liquid contains the active ingredient: guaifenesin 200 mg and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 60 mg.
The other ingredients are: water, alcohol, glycerin, menthol, sorbitol (E420), sodium cyclamate, sodium saccharin, carrageenan gum, potassium sorbate, flavourings and the colours ponceau 4R (E124) and caramel (E150).
This product is available in a pack size of 150 ml.
7. Who makes this medicine?
The Marketing Authorisation holder and manufacturer is Wrafton Laboratories Limited, Braunton, Devon, EX33 2DL, UK.
Text revised: October 2015.
PL 12063/0022 2751481