What is Maxifed CDX?

Codeine is a narcotic cough suppressant.
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen mucus congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
The combination of codeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine is used to treat stuffy nose and cough, and to reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold, infections, or allergies.
Codeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Maxifed CDX?

Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough or cold medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine.
Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Codeine 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.
Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Maxifed CDX?

severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
severe coronary artery disease; or
if you are breast-feeding a baby

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before taking codeine, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

heart disease or high blood pressure
ischemic heart disease (reduced circulation of blood to the heart)
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders
diabetes
a thyroid disorder

glaucoma
liver or kidney disease
a history of head injury or brain tumor
epilepsy or other seizure disorder
enlarged prostate, urination problems
a stomach or intestinal disorder
Addison’s disease or other adrenal gland disorders
if you have recently had surgery on your stomach, intestines, kidney, or bladder
gallbladder disease
mental illness; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use this medication, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Codeine can cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of codeine by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not use this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

What is Maxifed DM (Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin/Pseudoephedrine)?

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
The combination of dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine is used to treat stuffy nose, sinus congestion, cough, and chest congestion caused by the common cold or flu.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
Dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Maxifed DM (Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin/Pseudoephedrine)?

Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains a decongestant, expectorant, or cough suppressant.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Maxifed DM (Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin/Pseudoephedrine)?

Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, or pseudoephedrine.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or if you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis. You may not be able to use this medication, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
This medication may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Artificially-sweetened liquid forms of cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. This would be important to know if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Check the ingredients and warnings on the medication label if you are concerned about phenylalanine.

Maxifed DM Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Maxifed DM (Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin/Pseudoephedrine)?

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 any of these serious side effects:

severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness
confusion, hallucinations; or
slow, shallow breathing

Less serious side effects may include:

dizziness or headache,
a rash, or
nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Maxifed DM Interactions

What other drugs affect Maxifed DM (Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin/Pseudoephedrine)?

Before taking dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

celecoxib (Celebrex)
cinacalcet (Sensipar)
darifenacin (Enablex)
imatinib (Gleevec)
quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex)
ranolazine (Ranexa)
ritonavir (Norvir)
sibutramine (Meridia)
terbinafine (Lamisil)
medicines to treat high blood pressure; or
antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine. 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 Maxifed DM (Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin/Pseudoephedrine)?

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 can increase some of the side effects of this medication.
Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor’s advice. Taking a stimulant together with cough or cold medicine can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, or sleep medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains a decongestant, expectorant, or cough suppressant.

Maxifed DM Dosage

How should I take Maxifed DM (Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin/Pseudoephedrine)?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Always ask a doctor before giving cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough or cold medicine in very young children.
Measure the liquid form of this 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.
Take the medication with food if it upsets your stomach.
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking this medication.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.
Store this medicine at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.

What happens if I overdose on Maxifed DM (Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin/Pseudoephedrine)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include feeling restless or nervous.

What happens if I miss a dose of Maxifed DM (Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin/Pseudoephedrine)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com

Maxifed CDX