coactifed expectorant: what is it, how to use, side effects

how does this medication work? what will it do for me?

this combination product contains 4 medications: codeine, triprolidine, pseudoephedrine, and guaifenesin.

codeine belongs to the group of medications called narcotic analgesics and cough suppressants. it works by blocking pain signals that are sent out by the brain to various areas of the body and reduces coughing by acting in the brain to dull the cough reflex.

triprolidine belongs to the group of medications called antihistamines and helps to relieve sneezing and runny nose.

pseudoephedrine belongs to the group of medications called nasal decongestants and is used to decrease nasal stuffiness.

guaifenesin belongs to the group of medications called expectorants. this medication helps to loosen mucus so it can be coughed up.

codeine - triprolidine - pseudoephedrine - guaifenesin is used to help remove mucus from the breathing passages and to control coughing related to inflamed tissues in the nose and throat. it works by reducing inflammation in the nose and throat tissues and decreasing cough. it also loosens mucus, making it easier to cough up.

this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

what form(s) does this medication come in?

how should i use this medication?

note: a cough is a symptom. before taking a cough suppressant, it is important to assess the underlying cause of the cough.

the recommended dose for adults is 10 ml (2 teaspoons) 3 to 4 times a day as needed.

no more than 4 doses should be taken in a 24-hour period.

many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the liquid, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons.

it is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. if you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

who should not take this medication?

do not use this medication if you:

• are allergic to codeine, triprolidine, pseudoephedrine, guaifenesin, or any of the ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to codeine-like narcotics or other similar antihistamines or decongestants
• are at risk of blocked intestines
• are at risk of respiratory failure
• are breast-feeding
• are experiencing slowed, shallow breathing
• are known to be an "ultra rapid metabolizer" of codeine (i.e., your body changes codeine to morphine faster than normal)
• are less than 18 years of age
• are pregnant
• are taking an mao inhibitor (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) or have taken one in the past 2 weeks
• are taking certain other medications such as decongestants, appetite suppressants, stimulants, or medications used for the treatment of adhd (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
• have a condition that slows down passage of material through the digestive tract
• have a cough with significant amount of phlegm or other secretions
• have a head injury or increased pressure inside the brain
• have active alcoholism or are experiencing alcohol withdrawal
• have coronary artery disease
• have decreased kidney function
• have high blood pressure
• have pheochromocytoma (a type of adrenal gland tumour)
• have respiratory problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma
• have severely reduced liver function
• have ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the digestive tract)
• may have an abdominal condition that requires surgery (e.g., appendicitis or pancreatitis)

what side effects are possible with this medication?

many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• bloated feeling
• constipation
• decreased appetite
• decreased interest in sexual activity
• difficult coordination
• difficulty sleeping
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth, nose, or throat
• headache
• insomnia
• jitteriness
• lightheadedness
• nausea
• nightmares
• skin rash
• spinning sensation
• sweating
• vomiting
• weakness

although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• behaviour changes (e.g., agitation, nervousness, restlessness)
• difficult or painful urination
• difficulty getting pregnant
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
• increased or irregular heart rate
• itchy skin
• severe constipation
• signs of depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• signs of low blood pressure (dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness)
• thickening phlegm
• trouble concentrating
• unusual excitement or restlessness (especially in children)
• vision changes (blurred vision, eye pain)

stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• signs of brain injury (e.g., confusion, inability to concentrate, decreased awareness, consciousness)
• signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
• signs of decreased blood flow to the digestive tract (e.g., sudden abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, blood in the stools)
• symptoms of overdose of codeine, such as:
• abnormally slow or weak breathing
• cold, clammy skin
• confusion
• extreme drowsiness
• severe dizziness
• slow heartbeat
• symptoms of cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (e.g., sudden severe headache, nausea, vomiting, vision changes)
• symptoms of serotonin syndrome (e.g., confusion, fast heartbeat, hallucinations, restlessness, shaking, shivering, sudden jerking of muscles, sweating)
• symptoms of withdrawal (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, shivering, cold and clammy skin, body aches, loss of appetite, sweating)

some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.

abdominal conditions: codeine, like other narcotic medications, may make the diagnosis of abdominal conditions more difficult or it may worsen these conditions. if you are scheduled for abdominal surgery, have an abdominal condition such as inflammatory or obstructive bowel disease, acute cholecystitis, or pancreatitis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

accidental use: when this medication is used by anyone other than the person for whom it was prescribed, the effects of the medication may be fatal. keep this medication out of sight and reach of children.

adrenal gland problems: adrenal glands produce chemical messengers that are responsible for the normal function of the body's organs, including how your body responds to injury or stress. when opioids are taken for a month or longer, the medication may cause your adrenal gland to function improperly. your doctor may monitor your adrenal gland condition especially if you have experienced stress such as surgery, injury, or severe infection.

alcohol and other medications that cause drowsiness: do not combine this medication with alcohol or other medications  that cause drowsiness (e.g., antidepressants, sleeping pills, anxiety medications) since additive drowsiness can occur and be dangerous.

breathing: codeine can suppress breathing. children are more likely to experience serious breathing problems, including death. for this reason, this medication should not be given to people less than 18 years old. if you are at risk for breathing difficulties, such as asthma, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

constipation: codeine can be very constipating. eating a high-fibre diet and following good bowel habits will help to minimize this effect. if you develop constipation easily, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

dependence and withdrawal: this medication contains codeine. physical dependence, psychological dependence, and abuse have occurred with the use of codeine. people with a history of past or current substance use problems may be at greater risk of developing abuse or addiction while taking this medication. abuse is not a problem with people who require this medication for pain relief.

if you suddenly stop taking this medication, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, trouble sleeping, shaking, pain, nausea, tremors, diarrhea, and hallucinations. if you have been taking this medication for a while, it should be stopped gradually as directed by your doctor.

diabetes: the pseudoephedrine in this medication may cause blood sugar to become less controlled for people with diabetes. this medication also contains sugar, which may increase blood glucose levels.  it may become necessary to test your blood glucose levels more often when taking codeine - triprolidine - pseudoephedrine - guaifenesin.

if you have diabetes, or are at risk of developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

drowsiness/reduced alertness: codeine may cause drowsiness. do not drive, operate machinery, or perform any potentially hazardous tasks until you know how this medication affects you.

glaucoma: codeine - triprolidine - pseudoephedrine - guaifenesin may make glaucoma worse. it may also cause glaucoma to develop. if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or are at risk of developing glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

head injury: if you have a head injury or increased pressure in the head, you may have a higher risk of experiencing side effects (breathing problems) or worsening of their condition while taking this medication. discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

heart disease: this medication may make symptoms of certain heart conditions worse. if you have an irregular heart rhythm, ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure or other heart condition, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

kidney disease: if you have kidney disease or reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

liver disease: if you have liver disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

other medical conditions:  this medication can have an effect on other medical conditions. codeine will worsen the effects of acute alcohol intoxication and delirium tremens. as well, if you have low thyroid (hypothyroidism), addison's disease, benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate), gallbladder disease, urethral stricture, decreased function of the adrenal glands, or porphyria, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

serotonin syndrome: although rare, severe reactions are possible when codeine is combined with other medications that act on serotonin, such as tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors, medications used to treat depression. these combinations should be avoided if possible. symptoms of a reaction may include muscle rigidity and spasms, difficulty moving, changes in mental state including delirium and agitation. coma and death are possible.

if you are taking antidepressants, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

pregnancy: this medication should not be used during pregnancy. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. infants born to mothers who have been taking codeine for long periods of time or who are physically dependent on codeine will also be physically dependent on the medication and may experience breathing difficulties as well as withdrawal symptoms.

breast-feeding: this medication passes into breast milk. some of the codeine dose is converted into morphine by the body, once it has been taken. for some people, this change happens much faster than for others. if this happens to a nursing parent, the baby is at risk of receiving a morphine overdose through the breast milk. if you are breast-feeding and are taking codeine - triprolidine - pseudoephedrine - guaifenesin, it may affect your baby. taking this medication while breast-feeding is not recommended.

children:  codeine - triprolidine - pseudoephedrine - guaifenesin should not be given to children under 18 years of age.

seniors: this medication is more likely to cause side effects for those 65 years of age and older. lower doses may be necessary.

what other drugs could interact with this medication?

there may be an interaction between codeine - triprolidine - pseudoephedrine - guaifenesin and any of the following:

• aclidinium
• abiraterone
• acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil, galantamine)
• alcohol
• aldosterone antagonists (e.g., spironolactone, eplerenone)
• alpha agonist (e.g., clonidine, guanfacine)
• alpha blockers (e.g., alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin)
• amantadine
• amphetamines (e.g., dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine)
• antihistamines (e.g., azelastine, cetirizine, doxylamine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, loratadine, rupatadine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., cariprazine, chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
• apalutamide
• aprepitant
• atomoxetine
• atropine
• barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, butalbital)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam)
• benztropine
• beta-agonists (e.g., formoterol, indacaterol, salmeterol)
• betahistine
• bosentan
• botulinum toxin
• brimonidine
• bromocriptine
• buprenorphine
• bupropion
• butorphanol
• caffeine
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil)
• cannabis
• carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide, dorzolamide)
• chloral hydrate
• cinacalcet
• clidinium
• cobicistat
• darifenacin
• decongestant eye drops and nasal sprays (e.g., antazoline, naphazoline, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline)
• desmopressin
• dimenhydrinate
• diphenoxylate
• disopyramide
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• domperidone
• dronedarone
• efavirenz
• entacapone
• enzalutamide
• ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine)
• esketamine
• etravirine
• ethopropazine
• fesoterodine
• flavoxate
• flibanserin
• flunarizine
• general anesthetics (medications used to put people to sleep before surgery)
• glucagon
• glycopyrrolate
• grapefruit juice
• certain hiv protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, tipranavir)
• hyaluronidase
• ipratropium
• kava kava
• ketotifen
• lemborexant
• letermovir
• linezolid
• lithium
• lumacaftor and ivacaftor
• magnesium sulfate
• methylphenidate
• metoclopramide
• mifepristone
• minocycline
• mirabegron
• mirtazapine
• modafinil
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (maois; e.g., moclobemide, rasagiline, selegiline, phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
• muscle relaxants (e.g., baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• nabilone
• naltrexone
• other narcotic pain relievers (e.g., fentanyl, hydrocodone, morphine, tapentadol, tramadol)
• olopatadine
• oxybutynin
• ozanimod
• pegvisomant
• perampanel
• pitolisant
• pizotifen
• pomalidomide
• potassium chloride
• pramipexole
• pregabalin
• propiverine
• protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., ceritinib, imatinib, nilotinib)
• prucalopride
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• ropinirole
• rotigotine
• scopolamine
• st. john's wort
• seizure medications (e.g., carbamazepine, clobazam, gabapentin, levetiracetam, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide, topiramate, valproic acid)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ssris; e.g., citalopram, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline)
• serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (snris; e.g., desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, venlafaxine)
• sodium oxybate
• solifenacin
• somatostatin-like medications (e.g., lanreotide, octreotide, pasireotide)
• terbinafine
• tetrahydrocannabinol (thc)
• theophylline
• tiotropium
• tizanidine
• tolterodine
• trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine, nortriptyline)
• trihexyphenidyl
• trospium
• tryptophan
• umeclidinium
• valerian
• zolpidem
• zopiclone

if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

all material copyright mediresource inc. 1996 – 2023. terms and conditions of use. the contents herein are for informational purposes only. always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/coactifed-expectorant