What is Atuss HX (Guaifenesin Hydr Ocodone)?
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.
Hydrocodone is a narcotic cough suppressant.
Guaifenesin and hydrocodone is used to treat cough and reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold, flu, or allergies.
Guaifenesin and hydrocodone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Atuss HX (Guaifenesin Hydr Ocodone)?
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by guaifenesin and hydrocodone.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by guaifenesin and hydrocodone.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Hydrocodone should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Atuss HX (Guaifenesin Hydr Ocodone)?
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Hydrocodone should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to hydrocodone or guaifenesin.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- asthma
- urination problems
- an enlarged prostate
- a thyroid disorder
- seizures or epilepsy
- gallbladder disease
- a head injury; or
- Addison’s disease
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to take guaifenesin and hydrocodone, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Guaifenesin and hydrocodone passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not take guaifenesin and hydrocodone without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Atuss HX Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Atuss HX (Guaifenesin Hydr Ocodone)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- slow heart rate, weak or shallow breathing
- feeling like you might pass out
- confusion, fear, unusual thoughts or behavior
- seizure (convulsions); or
- urinating less than usual or not at all
Less serious side effects may include:
- dizziness, drowsiness
- nausea, vomiting, upset stomach
- blurred vision
- constipation
- dry mouth; or
- sweating
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Atuss HX Interactions
What other drugs affect Atuss HX (Guaifenesin Hydr Ocodone)?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others
- atropine (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), mepenzolate (Cantil), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
- bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare)
- a bronchodilator such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva); or
- irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with guaifenesin and hydrocodone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Atuss HX (Guaifenesin Hydr Ocodone)?
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by guaifenesin and hydrocodone.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as other cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by guaifenesin and hydrocodone.
Do not take other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medications without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Guaifenesin is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much guaifenesin. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains guaifenesin.
Atuss HX Dosage
How should I take Atuss HX (Guaifenesin Hydr Ocodone)?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Guaifenesin and hydrocodone can be taken with or without food.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Do not take more of this medication or take it for longer than is recommended. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
Store guaifenesin and hydrocodone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Hydrocodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I overdose on Atuss HX (Guaifenesin Hydr Ocodone)?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, sweating, pinpoint pupils, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, confusion, cold and clammy skin, muscle weakness, fainting, weak pulse, slow heart rate, seizure (convulsions), weak or shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.
What happens if I miss a dose of Atuss HX (Guaifenesin Hydr Ocodone)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com