Guaifenesin dosage, forms, and strengths
Guaifenesin (brand name: Mucinex, Organidin NR, Geri-Tussin) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that relieves chest congestion by loosening phlegm and thinning bronchial secretions in the lung’s airways, making these fluids easier to eliminate through coughing. Guaifenesin can be purchased as a stand-alone medication, but it is more commonly found
in combination with other drugs in over-the-counter cough, flu, sore throat, and cold medicines. It is also available in prescription formats, more commonly in combination with prescription drugs such as hydrocodone. Stand-alone guaifenesin can be taken orally as extended-release tablets or as immediate-release tablets, granules, liquid solution, or syrup.
RELATED: Learn more about guaifenesin | Get guaifenesin discounts
Guaifenesin dosage, forms, and strengths
In both adult and children’s formulations, guaifenesin is taken by mouth. Adult versions of guaifenesin, approved for use in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older, are available in both immediate-release and extended-release tablets as well as immediate-release oral solutions.
Tablets (immediate release): 200 mg, 400 mg
Tablets (extended release): 600 mg, 1200 mg
Liquid: 100 mg per 5ml
Granules (pediatric): 100 mg per packet
Sugar-free guaifenesin liquid or syrup is available for adults or children with diabetes. Ask a pharmacist for these products or look for “SF” in the product name.
Guaifenesin dosage for adults
Adult formats of guaifenesin are approved for use in adults and adolescents 12 years of age or older, but some may include dosing directions for younger children.
Standard immediate-release: 200-400 mg every four hours
Maximum immediate-release: 400 mg every four hours to a maximum of 2400 mg per day
Standard extended-release: 600-1200 mg every 12 hours
Maximum extended-releases: 1200 mg every 12 hours to a maximum of 2400 mg per day
Check our best Guaifenesin prices
Guaifenesin dosage by age |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | Recommended dosage (liquid)* | Recommended dosage (granules) | Recommended dosage (immediate-release tablet)* | Recommended dosage (extended-release tablet) |
| Younger than 4** | Do not give | Do not give | Do not give | Do not give |
| 4–5 | 50–100 mg (2.5–5 ml) every 4 hours | 100 mg (1 packet) every 4 hours | Consult a doctor | Do not give |
| 6–11 | 100–200 mg (5–10 ml) every 4 hours | 100–200 mg (1–2 packets) every 4 hours | 200 mg (½ tablet) every 4 hours | Do not give |
| 12 and older | 200–400 mg (10–20 ml) every 4 hours | 200–400 mg (2–4 packets) every 4 hours | 400 mg (1 tablet) every 4 hours | 600–1200 mg every 12 hours |
Guaifenesin dosage forchildren
The FDA has approved guaifenesin for use in children as young as 4 years old, but in reduced doses based on the child’s age. Children’s guaifenesin products are available in either liquid, syrup, or granule formats. It turns out, though, that all adult versions of liquid guaifenesin are formulated in the same concentration as children’s versions—100 mg per 5 ml—so the package directions may include dosing directions for children as young as 6 years old.
Some adult products in tablet form have scoring marks that allow the tablet to be cut in half. Some of these products will include instructions to give half-tablets to children as young as 6 years of age. Make sure to check the packaging for specific dosing instructions before giving adult guaifenesin tablets to a young child.
*Not all immediate-release tablets or liquid formulations of guaifenesin are intended for children younger than 12. Make sure the package has instructions for dosing younger children.
**Although parents and healthcare professionals can find reliable medical sites that have instructions for administering guaifenesin to children between the ages of 2 and 3, no OTC guaifenesin product is indicated for children younger than 4. As always, the best advice is to follow the manufacturer’s dosing instructions or a doctor’s recommendations.
Guaifenesin dosage restrictions
Guaifenesin is used to loosen mucus and thin bronchial secretions to help make coughs more productive at clearing mucus from the lungs.
Guaifenesin dosing for people with renal impairment (kidney problems) or hepatic impairment (liver problems) has not been defined.
Guaifenesin is appropriate only for short-term symptom relief. People with a chronic cough and chest congestion due to smoking, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or asthma should talk to a doctor before taking non-prescription guaifenesin.
Guaifenesin dosage for pets
Guaifenesin is commonly used in animals, but, surprisingly, it’s most often given intravenously to induce muscle relaxation and restraint before short medical procedures. It can, however, be given to animals orally as an expectorant. The standard dose for both cats and dogs is 3–5 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight (1.35–2.25 mg per pound) every eight hours. Do not, however, give an animal human medications, such as OTC guaifenesin, unless instructed by a veterinarian. There is at least one guaifenesin medication (Equi-Spectorant) that can be purchased over-the-counter to give as an expectorant to horses. Again, consult with a veterinarian first.
How to take guaifenesin
Guaifenesin is taken by mouth with or without food.
Tablet
Take the tablet with a full glass of water.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet.
Liquid
Shake the container well before use.
Liquid or syrup guaifenesin products include a measured dosing cup, so measure each dose with the dosing cup.
The entire dose should be swallowed.
Granules
Tear open the top of the packet.
Empty the entire contents of the packet onto the tongue and swallow.
For the best taste, do not chew the granules.
To ensure the effectiveness and safety of taking guaifenesin, a few tips can come in handy:
Follow the instructions on the medication label. Do not take more than directed.
Store this medicine
at room temperature. Liquid guaifenesin has a slightly different storage temperature range than tablets, so check the packaging. Above all, do not store this medicine in the refrigerator.
Always check the expiration date. If the medicine has passed its expiration date, dispose of it safely and purchase a new package.
To help guaifenesin loosen mucus in the lung’s airways, drink extra fluids throughout the day and use a humidifier or steam vaporizer to keep the air moist.
Liquid guaifenesin comes with a dosing cup. Do not use that cup to measure other medications.
Guaifenesin is a common ingredient in many non-prescription products that combine two or more drugs to treat allergy, flu, or common cold symptoms. To avoid an accidental overdose, always check the ingredients of combination medications before taking guaifenesin or any other OTC medication.
If pregnant or breastfeeding, consult with a doctor before using guaifenesin.
Chest congestion and coughing may be a symptom of a more serious or chronic illness. If symptoms persist for longer than seven days, seek professional medical advice.
Guaifenesin dosage FAQs
How long does it take guaifenesin to work?
Taken orally, guaifenesin is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and begins to show effects in about 15-30 minutes. It can be taken with or without food.
How long does guaifenesin stay in your system?
Guaifenesin is quickly metabolized by the body. Medical professionals measure how long a drug stays in the body by the drug’s half-life. This is the amount of time, on average, a human body takes to eliminate half of a drug from the body by either changing it into another substance or excreting it through the urine. Guaifenesin has a half-life of one hour, which can be reasonably considered a short time. The drug’s effects also peak about an hour after being taken. After that time, the effects begin to wear off. A standard 400 mg dose is completely eliminated after eight hours.
What happens if I miss a dose of guaifenesin?
Guaifenesin is a symptom-relief medication. It does not treat underlying medical conditions. A missed dose, then, can always be taken when remembered. However, taking a missed dose will reset the dosing clock. The next dose should not be taken until four hours (for immediate-release formats) or 12 hours (for extended-release formats) after the missed dose is taken. Above all, never take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How do I stop taking guaifenesin?
Used as directed, guaifenesin can be discontinued without any problems or dose tapering. The good news about guaifenesin is that, although it’s a commonly used medication, there are no reported cases of dependency, abuse, or withdrawal.
Keep in mind, though, that guaifenesin, like all symptom medications, is only intended for short-term use. If chest congestion or cough lasts longer than seven days, it’s time to discontinue guaifenesin and seek professional medical attention. Guaifenesin should also be discontinued and a healthcare provider should be consulted if a cough comes back or is accompanied by other symptoms such as a rash, fever, or headache. Guaifenesin should be discontinued immediately if there is any sign of an allergic reaction, such as a rash, swelling, or trouble breathing, while taking it.
What is the maximum dosage for guaifenesin?
The maximum adult dose of guaifenesin is 2400 mg per day. Doses, of course, should be evenly spread out throughout the day. Children who are younger than 12 will receive reduced doses based on their age, so the maximum daily dose for children 6–11 is 1200 mg. Children 4–5 years old should not be given more than 600 mg each day.
What interacts with guaifenesin?
Foods do not affect the absorption or effectiveness of guaifenesin. This medication can be taken with or without food, but taking it with food may slow its absorption slightly.
Guaifenesin has no known drug interactions that require caution. This does not necessarily mean that drug interactions aren’t possible, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to any adverse effects when taking guaifenesin or any other type of non-prescription medicine.
Resources:
4.8 calificación promedio4.8 calificación
