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What is the most important information I should know about Iophen?
OTC labeling: When used for self-medication, do not use in patients with chronic pulmonary disease or shortness of breath; in children <2 years prescription (product specific); use with or within 14 days of MAOI therapy (product specific; consult manufacturer
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What are the possible side effects of Iophen?
Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations), fast/irregular heartbeat, trouble urinating.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: seizure.
Codeine (Iophen) is changed into a strong narcotic drug (morphine) in your body. In some people, this change happens faster and more completely than usual, which increases the risk of very serious side effects. Get medical help right away if you notice any of the following: slow/shallow breathing, unusual drowsiness/difficulty waking up, confusion.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other side effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Temporarily relieves cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation as may occur with the common cold or inhaled irritants. Calms the cough control center and relieves coughing. Helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to rid the bronchial passageways of bothersome mucus, drain bronchial tubes, and make coughs more productive.
Codeine (Iophen) is in a group of drugs called narcotics. It is a cough suppressant that affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Guaifenesin (Iophen) is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.
The combination of Codeine (Iophen) and Guaifenesin (Iophen) is used to treat cough and to reduce chest congestion caused by upper respiratory infections or the common cold.
Codeine (Iophen) and Guaifenesin (Iophen) will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
Codeine (Iophen) and Guaifenesin (Iophen) may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Use Iophen liquid as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Iophen liquid.
There are specific as well as general uses of a drug or medicine. A medicine can be used to prevent a disease, treat a disease over a period or cure a disease. It can also be used to treat the particular symptom of the disease. The drug use depends on the form the patient takes it. It may be more useful in injection form or sometimes in tablet form. The drug can be used for a single troubling symptom or a life-threatening condition. While some medications can be stopped after few days, some drugs need to be continued for prolonged period to get the benefit from it.This combination medication is used to temporarily treat coughing and chest congestion symptoms caused by the common cold, flu, or other breathing illnesses (e.g., sinusitis, bronchitis). Guaifenesin (Iophen) is an expectorant that helps thin and loosen mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up the mucus. Codeine (Iophen) is a narcotic cough suppressant (antitussive) that affects a certain part of the brain, reducing the urge to cough.
This medication is not usually used for ongoing coughs from smoking, asthma, other long-term breathing problems (e.g., emphysema), or for coughs with a lot of mucus, unless directed by your doctor.
Cough-and-cold products have not been shown to be safe or effective in children younger than 6 years. Therefore, this product is not recommended to treat cold symptoms in children younger than 6 years. Some products (including some long-acting tablets/capsules) are not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details about using your product safely.
These products do not cure or shorten the length of the common cold and may cause serious side effects. To decrease the risk for serious side effects, carefully follow all dosage directions. Giving more than the recommended dose or using this medication along with other cough-and-cold products has resulted in serious (even fatal) side effects, including slowed/stopped breathing. Talk to the doctor or pharmacist before giving other cough-and-cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients. Ask about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier or saline nose drops/spray). Do not use this product to make a child sleepy.
How to use IophenTake this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 4 to 6 hours as needed with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) or as directed by your doctor. This medication can be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. Drink plenty of fluids while you are using this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The fluid will help loosen the mucus in your lungs.
If you are using the liquid form, use a medication-measuring device to carefully measure the prescribed dose. Do not use a household spoon.
Some liquids need to be shaken before pouring each dose. Check your bottle or ask your pharmacist if your product needs to be shaken.
This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time (more than a few weeks) or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety, restlessness, sweating, shaking chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions right away.
Though very unlikely, abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction) is possible with this medication. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or take it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.
When used for an extended time, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists for more than 1 week, if it worsens, or if it occurs with fever, rash, or persistent headache. These may be symptoms of a serious medical problem and should be checked by a doctor.
Usual Adult Dose for Cough:
Oral liquid:10 mg-100 mg/5 mL or 10 mg-200mg/5 mL: 10 mL orally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 60 mL/day.
10 mg-300 mg/5 mL: 5 mL orally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 40 mL/day.
7.5 mg-225 mg/5 mL oral liquid: 5 mL to 7.5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
6.3 mg-100 mg/5 mL oral liquid: 15 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
8 mg-200 mg/5 mL oral liquid: 10 mL orally every 4 hours, not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
Oral tablet:10 mg-300 mg, 10 mg-400 mg or 20 mg-400 mg: 1 tablet orally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 6 tablets/day.
Oral Capsule:9 mg-200 mg: 2 capsules orally every 4 hours, not to exceed 12 capsules in a 24 hour period.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Cough:
2 to 5 years: 5 mL syrup (2.5 mg-75 mg/5 mL) orally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 30 mL/day.
2 years:
10 mg-300 mg/5 mL liquid: 1.5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed, not to exceed 6 mL/day
3 years:
10 mg-300 mg/5 mL liquid: 1.75 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed, not to exceed 7 mL/day
4 years:
10 mg-300 mg/5 mL liquid: 2 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed, not to exceed 8 mL/day
5 years:
10 mg-300 mg/5 mL liquid: 2.25 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed, not to exceed 9 mL/day
6 to 11 years:
10 mg-100 mg/5 mL or 10 mg-200 mg/5 mL syrup: 5 mL orally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 30 mL/day
10 mg-300 mg/5 mL liquid: 2.5 mL orally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 20 mL/day
10 mg-400 mg, or 20 mg-400 mg tablet: 1 tablet orally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 6 tablets/day.
7.5 mg-225 mg/5 mL oral liquid: 5 mL to 7.5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
6.3 mg-100 mg/5 mL oral liquid: 7.5 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
9 mg-200 mg: 2 capsules orally every 4 hours, not to exceed 6 capsules in a 24 hour period.
8 mg-200 mg/5 mL oral liquid: 5 mL orally every 4 hours, not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
12 years or older:
10 mg-100 mg/5 mL or 10 mg-200 mg/5 mL: 10 mL orally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 60 mL/day
10 mg-300 mg/5 mL: 5 mL orally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 40 mL/day
10 mg-300 mg, 10 mg-400 mg, or 20 mg-400 mg tablet: 1 tablet orally every 4 hours as needed, not to exceed 6 tablets/day.
7.5 mg-225 mg/5 mL oral liquid: 2.5 mL to 3.75 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
6.3 mg-100 mg/5 mL oral liquid: 15 mL orally every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
9 mg-200 mg: 2 capsules orally every 4 hours, not to exceed 12 capsules in a 24 hour period.
8 mg-200 mg/5 mL oral liquid: 10 mL orally every 4 hours, not to exceed 6 doses in 24 hours.
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What other drugs will affect Iophen?
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: cimetidine, narcotic antagonists (e.g., naltrexone, naloxone), quinidine.
Guaifenesin (Iophen) is available in both prescription and nonprescription products. Check the labels on all your medications carefully to make sure you are not taking more than one product that contains Guaifenesin (Iophen).
The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, medicine for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as morphine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (e.g., urine 5-HIAA levels, urine VMA levels, amylase/lipase levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
