What is Guaifenesin?
Category: Over the Counter Drugs
Most popular types: Mucinex Guaifenesin LA Robitussin Show all
See also: Acetaminophen-guaifenesin-phenylephrine Acetaminophen (paracetamol)-codeine-guaifenesin-phenylephrine Acetaminophen (paracetamol)-dextromethorphan-guaifenesin-phenylephrine Acetaminophen (paracetamol)-dextromethorphan-phenylephrine Alex Cough Syrup Guaifenesin-pseudoephedrine
Guaifenesin is an expectorant drug used to thin mucus in the airways to make it easier to cough. It is also a mildly uricosuric medication that some researchers believe may help manage symptoms of fibromyalgia.
| Purpose | Patients | Evaluations | Perceived Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibromyalgia | 86 | 40 | |
| Excess mucus | 74 | 32 | |
| Cough | 16 | 5 | |
| Chest congestion | 14 | 5 | |
| Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | 10 | 1 |
- Major
- Moderate
- Slight
- None
- Can't tell
Side effects
Side effects as an overall problem
| Severity | Evaluations | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Severe | 4 | |
| Moderate | 6 | |
| Mild | 19 | |
| None | 72 |
Commonly reported side effects and conditions associated with Guaifenesin
| Side effect | Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Dry mouth | 8 | |
| Nausea | 3 | |
| Dry eyes | 2 | |
| Abdominal bloating | 1 | |
| Back pain around kidneys | 1 | |
| Body odor | 1 |
Why patients stopped taking Guaifenesin
Multiple reasons could be selected
| Reason | Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Did not seem to work | 24 | |
| Other | 20 | |
| Course of treatment ended | 16 | |
| Expense | 11 | |
| Side effects too severe | 6 | |
| Doctor's advice | 4 | |
| Personal research | 4 | |
| Change in health plan coverage | 2 |
Duration
Stopped taking Guaifenesin
| Duration | Patients | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 month | 10 | |
| 1 - 6 months | 24 | |
| 6 months - 1 year | 9 | |
| 1 - 2 years | 11 | |
| 2 - 5 years | 9 | |
| 5 - 10 years | 3 | |
| 10 years or more | 6 |
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