Flutabs

For the temporary relief of minor aches and pains, headache, muscular aches and sore throat associated with cold or flu, and to reduce fever. Temporarily relieves cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation and nasal congestion as may occur with a cold. Helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to rid the bronchial passageways of bothersome mucus, drain bronchial tubes, and make coughs more productive. Flutabs™ is also indicated for the relief of nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever, or other respiratory allergies and nasal congestion associated with sinusitis.

Acetaminophen (Flutabs) is a pain reliever and fever reducer.

Dextromethorphan (Flutabs) is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.

Guaifenesin (Flutabs) is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.

Pseudoephedrine (Flutabs) is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Acetaminophen (Flutabs), Dextromethorphan (Flutabs), Guaifenesin (Flutabs), and Pseudoephedrine (Flutabs) is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, cough, chest congestion, stuffy nose, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

This medicine will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Acetaminophen (Flutabs), Dextromethorphan (Flutabs), Guaifenesin (Flutabs), and Pseudoephedrine (Flutabs) may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Usual Adult Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion

Acetaminophen (Flutabs)/Dextromethorphan (Flutabs)/Guaifenesin (Flutabs)/PSE 500 mg-20 mg-400 mg-60 mg oral tablet:

1 tablet orally every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 4 tablets daily.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Cough and Nasal Congestion

Acetaminophen (Flutabs)/Dextromethorphan (Flutabs)/Guaifenesin (Flutabs)/PSE 500 mg-20 mg-400 mg-60 mg oral tablet:

6 to 11 years: 1/2 tablet orally every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 2 tablets daily.

12 years or older: 1 tablet orally every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 4 tablets daily.

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Dialysis

Data not available

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Flutabs?

Patients with a known hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients, in nursing mothers, or in patients with severe hypertension, severe coronary artery disease, prostatic hypertrophy, or in patients on MAO inhibitor therapy (or for 14 days after stopping MAOI therapy).

Use Acetaminophen (Flutabs)/Dextromethorphan (Flutabs)/Guaifenesin (Flutabs)/Pseudoephedrine (Flutabs) liquid as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Acetaminophen (Flutabs)/Dextromethorphan (Flutabs)/Guaifenesin (Flutabs)/Pseudoephedrine (Flutabs) liquid may be taken with or without food.
• Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
• Drink plenty of water while taking Acetaminophen (Flutabs)/Dextromethorphan (Flutabs)/Guaifenesin (Flutabs)/Pseudoephedrine (Flutabs) liquid.
• If you miss a dose of Acetaminophen (Flutabs)/Dextromethorphan (Flutabs)/Guaifenesin (Flutabs)/Pseudoephedrine (Flutabs) liquid, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Acetaminophen (Flutabs)/Dextromethorphan (Flutabs)/Guaifenesin (Flutabs)/Pseudoephedrine (Flutabs) liquid.

This combination medication is used to temporarily treat cough, chest congestion, fever, body aches, and stuffy nose symptoms caused by the common cold, flu, or other breathing illnesses (e.g., sinusitis, bronchitis). Guaifenesin (Flutabs) is an expectorant that helps to thin and loosen mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up the mucus. Dextromethorphan (Flutabs) is a cough suppressant that affects a certain part of the brain (cough center), reducing the urge to cough. Decongestants help to relieve stuffy nose symptoms. This product also contains Acetaminophen (Flutabs) (APAP), a non-aspirin pain reliever and fever reducer.

This medication is not usually used for ongoing coughs from smoking, asthma, other long-term breathing problems (e.g., emphysema), or 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, do not use this product to treat cold symptoms in children younger than 6 years unless specifically directed by the doctor. Some products (such as 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. Do not use this product to make a child sleepy. Do not give other cough-and-cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients. Ask the doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier or saline nose drops/spray).

How to use Flutabs

If you are using the over-the-counter product, read and follow all directions on the product package before taking this medication.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 4 to 6 hours as needed, or as directed by your doctor. Drink plenty of fluids when you use this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The fluid will help loosen the mucus in your lungs.

If you are using a liquid form, carefully measure your dose using a medication-measuring device or spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. For some liquid products, you may need to shake the bottle well before each dose. Check the directions on the product package.

The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than directed without your doctor's approval. Improper use of this medication (abuse) may result in serious harm (e.g., brain damage, seizure, death).

Tell your doctor if your condition persists for more than 5 to 7 days, if it worsens, or if it occurs with rash, persistent headache, or fever lasting more than 3 days. These may be symptoms of a serious medical problem and should be checked by a doctor.

See also:
What other drugs will affect Flutabs?

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Taking certain MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking isocarboxazid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol), guanethidine, ketoconazole, methyldopa, reserpine, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine).

The ingredients in this product are available in many prescription and nonprescription products. Check the labels on all your medications carefully to make sure you are not taking more than one product with the same ingredient(s). Consult your pharmacist if you are unsure of the ingredients in any of your medications.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., other cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., other cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This medication may interfere with certain urine laboratory tests (e.g., 5-HIAA levels, VMA levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Flutabs?

Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, nervousness, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember that 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 if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, hallucinations), shaking (tremors), weakness, problems urinating.

Tell your doctor if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: fast/slow/irregular heartbeat.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: 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 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.