Drug Notes

Acetaminophen/guaifenesin/phenylephrine (By mouth)

Acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen), Guaifenesin (gwye-FEN-e-sin), Phenylephrine (fen-il-EF-rin)

Treats cold, flu, and allergy symptoms such as stuffy nose, fever, and mild aches, relieves sinus headaches, and helps loosen mucus.

Brand Name(s):

CCP, Good Sense Sinus Congestion & Pain Severe, Mucinex Fast-Max Cold & Sinus, Rite Aid Severe Sinus Congestion & Pain Relief, Sudafed PE Pressure+Pain+Mucus, Sudafed PE Triple Action, Theraflu Warming Relief Cold & Chest Congestion, Tylenol Cold Head Congestion Severe, Tylenol Sinus Congestion & Pain Severe, Tylenol Sinus Severe Day

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid, Long Acting Tablet, Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not take this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 14 days.
• Some medicines and foods can affect how this medicine works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
  • Digoxin, guanethidine, indomethacin, mecamylamine, methyldopa, reserpine
  • Beta-blockers (such as atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol), medicine that contains acetaminophen, veratrum alkaloids
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Acetaminophen can damage your liver, and alcohol can increase this risk. If you regularly drink 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, do not take any medicines that contain acetaminophen without asking your doctor. A drink of alcohol is 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1 ounce of liquor.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, an eye problem such as glaucoma, a thyroid, liver, or kidney problem, or an enlarged prostate.
• Tell your doctor if your symptoms get worse after 2 or 3 days of treatment, or if they do not improve after 7 days.
• This medicine contains acetaminophen. Read the labels of all other medicines you are using to see if they also contain acetaminophen, or ask your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) total of acetaminophen in one day.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or use machines if you are not alert.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Confusion, depression, fear, or anxiety
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Hearing or seeing things that are not really there
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Painful urination
• Seizures or tremors
• Severe headache
• Trouble breathing
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dry mouth or heavy sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rash or pale skin
• Trouble sleeping

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017