Guaifenesin

Classification: PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC: Respiratory expectorant. CLINICAL: Expectorant. Physican's orders: 1. Action: Stimulates respiratory tract secretions by decreasing adhesiveness, viscosity of phlegm. Therapeutic Effect: Promotes removal of viscous mucus. 2. Side effects: Rare: Dizziness, headache, rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Toxic effects: Overdose may produce nausea, vomiting. 3. Reason client is on drug: 4. Nursing considerations Baseline assessment: Assess type, severity, frequency of cough. Increase fluid intake, environmental humidity to lower viscosity of lung secretions. Intervention/evaluation: Initiate deep breathing, coughing exercises, particularly in pts with pulmonary impairment. Assess for clinical improvement; record onset of relief of cough. Patient/family teaching: Avoid tasks that require alertness, motor skills until response to drug is established. Do not take for chronic cough. Inform physician if cough persists or if fever, rash, headache, sore throat is present with cough. Maintain adequate hydration.

Guaifenesin

(gwye-fen-e-sin)

(Guiatuss, Mucinex, Organidin, Phanasin, Robitussin) Do not confuse guaifenesin with guanfacine, or Mucinex with Mucomyst. Fixed-combination(s): Mucinex D: guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine (a sympathomimetic): 600 mg/60 mg, 1,200 mg/120 mg. Mucinex DM: guaifenesin/dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant): 600 mg/30 mg, 1,200 mg/60 mg. Robitussin AC: guaifenesin/codeine (a narcotic analgesic): 100 mg/10 mg, 75 mg/2.5 mg per 5 ml. Robitussin DM: guaifenesin/dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant): 100 mg/10 mg per 5 ml. Pharmacokinetics: Well absorbed from GI tract. Metabolized in liver. Excreted in urine. Half-life: 1 hr. Uses: Expectorant for symptomatic treatment of productive coughs. Precautions: Contraindications: None known. Cautions: None known. Lifespan considerations: Pregnancy/Lactation: Unknown if drug crosses placenta or is distributed in breast milk. Pregnancy Category C. Children: Caution advised in those younger than 2 yrs with persistent cough. Elderly: No agerelated precautions noted. Interactions: DRUG: None significant. HERBAL: None significant. FOOD: None known. LAB VALUES: None significant. Availability (OTC): Liquid: 100 mg/5 ml. Syrup: 100 mg/5 ml. Tablets: 200 mg, 400 mg. Tablets, Extended-Release: (Mucinex): 600 mg, 1,200 mg. Administration/handling: PO: Store syrup, liquid, tablets at room temperature. Give without regard to meals. Do not crush, break extended-release tablet. Indications/routes/dosage: Expectorant PO: ADULTS, ELDERLY, CHILDREN OLDER THAN 12 YRS: 200400 mg q4h. CHILDREN 612 YRS: 100200 mg q4h. Maximum: 1.2 g/day. CHILDREN 25 YRS: 50100 mg q4h. Maximum: 600 mg/day. CHILDREN 6 MOS2 YRS: 2550 mg of q4h. Maximum: 300 mg/day. PO (EXTENDED-RELEASE): ADULTS, ELDERLY, CHILDREN OLDER THAN 12 YRS: 6001,200 mg q12h. Maximum: 2.4 g/day. CHILDREN 612 YRS: 600 mg q12h. Maximum: 1.2 g/day.