Guaifenesin

Expectorant, Mucolytic

Guaifenesin

Mucinex, Robitussin, Tussin

Experience

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Titration strategies

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Summary

Classes

Expectorant, Mucolytic

Pharmacy

Starting dose

200-400 mg PO q4h (IR); 600-1200 mg PO q12h (Mucinex 12-Hour ER)

Preparations

100, 200, 400 mg IR tablets; 600 mg, 1200 mg Mucinex ER tablets; many liquid formulations and combination products with dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, antihistamines

US FDA Max

2.4 g/d

Pharmacology

Routes

Oral

Onset

30 minutes

Duration

4 hours (IR); 12 hours (ER)

Half-life

~1 hour

Bioavailability

High (oral)

Pregnancy

Generally considered acceptable.^{[citation needed]}

Legal status

OTC in US

Purported mechanism

Guaifenesin is thought to act as an expectorant by triggering vagal gastric reflexes that increase respiratory tract secretions, reducing mucus viscosity and easing expulsion of mucus; the high-quality evidence for this effect is limited, but the agent is generally well tolerated.▲0▼ Adequate hydration is at least as important as the drug in producing the expectorant effect clinically. Used in combination with dextromethorphan, decongestants, or antihistamines in many proprietary OTC cold preparations.