Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It is used to break up congestion and mucous to ease
breathing. Guaifenesin thins mucous, increases lubrication of the respiratory tract (lungs, nose, and
throat), and increases the removal of mucous.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant. Phenylephrine constricts (shrinks) blood vessels (veins and
arteries), which reduces the swelling of mucous membranes in areas such as the nose and sinuses.
Pyrilamine is an antihistamine. Pyrilamine decreases the effects of the chemical histamine in
the body to reduce symptoms such as red, itchy eyes, sneezing, and congestion.
Guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine is used to treat symptoms of the common cold.
Guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide.
Take guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine can be taken with or without food. Taking
the medication with food may reduce stomach upset, should it occur.
Take each tablet with a full glass of water.
Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get a correct dose,
measure the liquid form of guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine with a special
dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring
device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. If your symptoms do not improve,
or if they worsen, talk to your doctor.
Drink plenty of extra fluids while taking this medication. Extra fluid will help decrease
congestion.
Store guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine at room temperature away from
moisture and heat.
Serious side effects are not expected to occur with the use of guaifenesin, phenylephrine,
and pyrilamine. Stop taking guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine and seek emergency
medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take guaifenesin,
phenylephrine, and pyrilamine and talk to your doctor if you experience
dizziness or drowsiness;
headache;
nervousness, restlessness, or insomnia;
nausea or stomach upset; or
difficulty urinating.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Do not take guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine
(Parnate), or selegiline (Eldepryl) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur,
leading to serious side effects.
Some heart medications such as methyldopa (Aldomet), reserpine (Serpalan, Serpasil), and
guanethidine (Ismelin) may have decreased effects. Talk to your doctor before taking guaifenesin,
phenylephrine, and pyrilamine if you are taking a heart or blood pressure medicine.
Guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine may increase the effects of other drugs that
cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness
may occur if guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine is taken with any of these medications.
Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, pain, or sleep medications
while taking guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine without first talking to your pharmacist or
doctor. Other medications may also contain guaifenesin, phenylephrine, pyrilamine, or other similar
drugs, and you may accidentally take too much of these medicines.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and
pyrilamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you
experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine.
Guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine may increase the effects of other drugs that
cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness
may occur if guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine is taken with any of these medications.
Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, pain, or sleep medications
while taking guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine without first talking to your pharmacist or
doctor. Other medications may also contain guaifenesin, phenylephrine, pyrilamine, or other similar
drugs, and you may accidentally take too much of these medicines.
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine overdose may include vomiting,
increased blood pressure (headache, red face, blurred vision), irregular heartbeats, large pupils, and
dry mouth.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not
take a double dose of this medication.
Drink plenty of extra fluids while taking this medication. Extra fluid will help decrease
congestion.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you
experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. If your symptoms do not improve,
or if they worsen, talk to your doctor.
Do not take guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine if you have taken a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine
(Parnate), or selegiline (Eldepryl) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur,
leading to serious side effects.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
high blood pressure or heart disease;
diabetes;
a peripheral vascular disorder (poor circulation);
glaucoma or increased pressure in the eyes;
an overactive thyroid; or
difficulty urinating or an enlarged prostate.
You may not be able to take guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine,
or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of
the conditions listed above.
It is not known whether guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine will be harmful to
an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment.
Guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine may pass into breast milk and affect a
nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from
guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this
medication.
Guaifenesin, phenylephrine, and pyrilamine is available with a prescription under the brand
name Ryna 12X in tablet and suspension formulations. Other brand or generic formulations may
also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it
is new to you.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.
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that uses outside of the United States are appropriate. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy.
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given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for
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The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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