Guaifenex side effects

I suffer from sleep apnea and use a C-Pap. I have a long history of chronic bronchitis and pneumonia. My sinuses are usually congested. It is imperative that my airways be clear at night when I am sleeping. I have been using muscinex for a few years now and it WORKS. Since I began treatment with this drug I am able to sleep through the night as I am not congested. Nasal drip and mucus stays thin and does not collect in my throat and lungs like it used to. Since beginning the use of this drug, the incidence of respiratory infections, bronchitis and pneumonia have become infrequent. The only side effect I have noticed is dryness in my nose and throat. We run a humidifier at night and this takes care of the excessive dryness. I have only seen an improvement in my quality of life.

GREAT DRUG. HAVE TAKEN FOR 2 YEARS WITH SUPER RESULTS FOR MY SINUS PROBLEMS WITH NO SIDE EFFECTS. I DISCOVERED THIS R/X FROM TAKING MUSCINEX WHICH HAS SAME CONTENT. NOW MUSCINEX HAS THE ENTIRE MARKET IN EXPENSIVE OVER THE COUNTER SALES. VERY SUSPICIOUS !!!

I took this to try and help some rather chronic sinus congestion. I only took one or two doses (it was a few years ago), but became really ill. I have palpitations normally, so I didn't notice that. However, I was leeched of energy and ended up spending half the day vomiting or feeling like I had to. I was cold and clammy, which is extremely abnormal for me. According to my coworkers, I looked pretty darn bad. I somehow made the long drive home (I wouldn't recommend) and tried to sleep. Eventually I passed out for a good 8 hours, but still felt yucky the next day. Naturally, I haven't touched the stuff since. To be fair, these side effects are listed under the drug info (online), but who thinks they are going to be in the small percentage affected? Also, in response to an older post, it's NOT pseudoephedrine. It is the ingredient in mucinex and a decongestant similar to or found in the "new" crappy sudofed. I've been taking pseudoephedrine for years with no problems. Glad I found this! I thought I was the only one!

My son is 25 and he started takng Guaifenex back in June for sinus infection. Since then he has been to emergency room 3 times and in the hospital twice--complains of pressure in upper jaw, chest tightness, and has chilling sensation along spine. Also his left side feels funny and he has been diagnosed with panic attacks and the doctor wants him to have a phsyc examination--he's not crazy just wants these wierd symptoms to go away. Has anyone had any long term affects after taking this drug?

wow so after reading all of these posts I now realise that its not just ME and I'm not going crazy. I just started takeing Guaifenex the other day because I have alot of mucas in my lungs and a stuffy nose due to a cold. I was a little scared to take it at first because the over the counter mucus relief medicines made me sick to my stomach but I felt as though takeing Guaifenex was my only hope to actually get sleep at night....um I was wrong. Yes my mucus completely went away for the night but I found myself up for hours watching reruns of safe by the bell. I've felt very funny not knowing why, Dizzy, nervous, panicky, talking really fast, EXTREMELY hyper. Worse then if I drank coffee. Today is my third day takeing it and unfortunately I took my next dose right before I found this website and even thought too look up anything about it. I suggest takeing it during the day if you MUST take it, but I really do not recommend it at all. Try Afrin but only use it exactly as directed or you'll get more mucas problems then you had in the first place, its over the counter and seems a little more safe.

Thumbs down on this one.

My doctor prescribe Guaifenex 600/120 for me yesterday. I had sinus pressure, ears and throat itchy and sore, head congestion. I took one pill at 6 pm, about 20 minutes later I could feel my throat and ears feeling better, and the congestion breaking up and draining. However, the stomach pains and cramps, heart racing, and my blood pressure rose to 153/92. I was so restless I only slept from 9 pm to 10:15pm. No matter what I did, the stomach pain wouldn't go away. Drinking extra water, changing positions didn't seem to help. I'm not tried but I feel so jittery, and restless. The medicine works immediately, but there are some serious side effects to consider.

Although it made me a little jumpy and restless, so does caffeine so I didn't think much of it. Since I'm a runner and couldn't wait over a week to do anything, after a few day I tried to go on a short run. Really bad idea. I had extreme dry mouth, I was shivering, uncontrollably sweating, and got really dizzy. Once I stopped and sat down my body became so hot it felt like my shirt was on fire. I didn't feel better until much later and never plan to take this again.

I took one pill and fifteen min. later I started having a pain in my stomach. I thought, well maybe I didn't eat and drink enough, so I drank another glass of water even though I'd eaten a good size meal before taking med. Five min. later the pain switched from stomach to chest and back pains, but mostly in my chest. Also, my finger nail beds turned blue and I could not get warm and had chills. My heart did not seem to be racing and was steady, though I did get a mild head ache. At the peak of the pains it radiated up my neck and lower jaw, and no matter how I lay I could not make it go away.

I experienced a sudden feeling of overwhelming exhaustion during the whole ordeal. Symptoms persisted for a few hours, didn't stop until shivers had passed and by then I had a temperature of 100.7 when I previously had none whatsoever. I think about 96.6 was my average before that. The next day I was extremely tired and unaccountably restless.

The only other med I had been taking was a 24 hr. Alavert that dissolved on the tongue... it didn't even have a decongestant in it. CVS lady said there was no reason I couldn't take it along side the Guaifenex. Now I'm not sure what to believe. It scared me enough that I don't think I would ever risk taking it ever again.

I went to the doctor and he said I had the begining signs of an upper respiratory infection. He put me on this medication and told me it would help with the sinus pressure. Since I have been taking this medication I have had increased chest pain, coughing and sore throat. I decided to stop taking it this morning to see what would happen if I used just a regular sinus pill, and I actually felt better! I took one more dose of Guaifenex and I am right back where I started 2 days ago, feeling misserable and I can't breathe. I dont know where to go from here?...Has anyone else had increased chest pain?

It's sad to say but i'm almost glad to read the side effects ,I almost lost my mind sleeping 2 hours a night and in combination with Methylprednisolone I had wild mood swings almost to the point of selling my business I'll finish the meds now that I know whats going on and I can deal with it ,if I need this type of medication again I think I'll ask for different meds.

I've been taking guaifenex for two days with no negagtive side effects. Ive slept alot so not the same as others here having problems with no sleep. I've drank alot of fluids though?

i felt like i was high in the sky after i took one hole pile.

Not only did I have the agitation, sleeplessness and rapid heartbeat that I see have occurred to others, but I had chills sweep over me several times a day. I felt like I was getting the flu, with chills that made my skin dimple, coming out of nowhere and leaving again. I felt I had poorer circulation; my hands and feet were cold until I stopped taking this drug. I took 600/120 tablets and felt so uncomfortable I quit outright. Previously, I had minimal side effects with a lower dose. But the ear problem remains. now what...

I took Guaifenex for the first time yesterday, and I might add for the last time yesterday. My blood pressure rose quickly, the Systolic rose 40 points and the Diastolic rose 30 points and my resting pulse rate raised over 40 bbm. When at the doctor in the same morning, both blood pressure and pulse were normal. I have never before had this type of reaction to any medication. My night sleep of 2am - 4am will not help me get better, no matter how "wonderful" of a decongestant this stuff is. It took two doses for this reaction to hit me. I am sure that this may not be the normal reaction - but if you get it watch out, because it is very scary.

My dr prescribed me Guaifenex PSE 600/60 and Z-pack antiobiotics for my tonsillitis. I must say the Guaifenex really helps my sinus drainage but I cannot sleep at all. Here it is 3am and I am not one bit tired. Also, it seemed to trigger panic attacks. Overall, seems to work well but the side effects are killin me.

I took this drug for 2 days, and then stopped due to sleeplessness, agitaiton, and extreme congestion even when I took it with the water, like the script said!! I am never taking this again, and will throw away the rest of my full bottle, so I don't make the same mistake twice!
I tried to go back to work today after a 5 day abscence due to my previous flu, and then had to go home again just for the side effects of this medicine. I couldn't function and even think straight. I felt just like a tiger pacing in it's cage all day.....
And I have never in my life felt so out of control and agitated, even drivng a car was bad!
In short, I will try other remedies for my congestion.....

I've been taking two tablets of Guaifenex PSE 600 twice a day for 3 days and today is the last time I do. I have the flu and so I should be getting plenty of rest, but as tired as I may be, I haven't gotten more than 4 hours of sleep a night since I started this. Normally I can sleep 10 hours at a time with no problem, but I haven't gotten to sleep before 5 am since I started this medication, I wake up 5 or 6 times through the night and can't sleep past 9, latest.

I have never had a reaction to medication before, this is absolutely ridiculous. It's clearing up my congestion but not letting me get the rest I need to get better, so I've just ended up sicker than when I went to the doctor. I'm not pleased at all.

Electric scooters are allowed on public transit (bus/train/plane) whereas gas-powered scooters are prohibited. Noise and air pollution of gas-powered scooters is eliminated.

Positive - it worked as far as my constant nose dripping. I've only taken it for three days and I'm happy with the results.

Negative - I have extreme dry mouth and my lower back hurts so bad that I can't lay on it. I must lay on my side. I'm going to increase my water and try cranberry juice for relief. If none within 24 hours, I'm contacting my physician.

Took guaifenex for 5 days and it was horrible!! I have tingling in my left hand, face and leg. Went to the ER, my Bp was 150/106. It has been 5 days since I stopped taking it and I still have the tingling. NEVER EVER AGAIN WILL I TAKE THIS STUFF!!!!

I took guaifenex on saturday morning and felt during the day that the drug was doing it's work, i was happy that my cold was getting better, well at midnight heart palpitations began so hard i thought i was having a heart attack. this lasted for almost a day. i was almost in a state of panic between the side effects and the lack of sleep. horrible! the worst experience of my life with a prescribed drug. i was drinking gatorate the whole day to flush the drug out of my body. felt i was going to die or collapse that same day, it was an unbearable torture. i'm being very careful now with drugs after this episode.

Went to the doc yesterday and he said I had a problem with my eustachian tube. He prescribed Nasacort and Guaifenex.

Took one pill last night around 6pm (with a 20 oz bottle of water). I could not fall asleep until 3:30 - 3:45 this morning. Tossed a turned a *lot*. Seemed like I'd go thru stages of being too hot, then too cold. Had intense dry mouth at some point in there. Glad I'm not the only one who seemed to hallucinate. =o/

This morning I woke up at 9:30, took another pill. Felt stoned most of the day. It wasn't until 1:30 pm that I managed to get myself into the shower. Good thing I didn't have to be anywhere.

I took one more pill at 6:30 this evening. I really wish I had found this sight beforehand. I'll definitely call my doctor tomorrow to see if I can just stick to the Nasacort. **sigh**

I'm taking the drug, and the thirst is unmanagable. I can't get enough to drink. So much so, I think I've had a gallon of water in an hours time. I'm trying gum and suckers, and it isn't helping.

never took this before & will never take it again. The worst thing i could not pass my urine, i had to go, but had a difficult time. stopped taking it yesterday and no problems today. The other sideffects dry mouth, feeling like i was on speed,loss of appetite. No thanks I'll put up with the sinuses being clogged till it goes away. Also heart beating too fast

I have taken Guaifenex on several occasions. I think it is great, especially when your sinus cavities become so closed up or infected that over the counter medications provide little relief. To me, it takes a day or so for your body to become adjusted so that side effects are not noticed. I also believe that staying hydrated, drinking lots of water helps the drug work much more effectively.

It's midnight and I'm sitting here thinking do I go to the hospital or do I wait it out and see if all this stops. I took 1 Guaifenex PSE 600/120 about 4 hours ago. My heart is beating so fast I can't even count the beats per minute. I feel so scared. I've never had anything like this happen to me. I can't speak; my troat is to sore from coughing up mucous. I just sit here downing glasses of water hoping it will all stop and soon!

I WILL NEVER THIS THIS STUFF AGAIN!

I have taken guaifenex. No noticable side-effects, but I am a big water drinker.

I was given an antibiotic and Guaifenex 600, twice a day. It affected my urination pattern. I would have a need to go but in the beginning very little urine would come out followed by more but not near the force as normal. Afterwards, I would always have the feeling that I had not emptied my bladder. I thought something may have been wrong with my prostate. I drank a lot of liquid during this time. I stopped but continued to drink a lot of liquid hoping to get it out of my system. About one day after stopping, I urinated normally.
I took both for ringing in my ear and an ear infection. Neither helped my ear infection. I also experienced a headache which I usually do not have.

My experience with this medication was in March 0f 1999. I was rushed to the emergency room by ambulance. My reaction was with my heart. The beat was very irregular and I felt as if it were going to race out of my chest. Once to the hospital, the doctor gave me some medication to counter act the reaction. It then made me sleep for a very long while. I can no loner take this or any other medication with a sulphur content in it.

I have a terrible strong order in my nostrils that goes up into my head, and it's driving me crazy thought I might have a brain tumor, or something incurable. I'm glad I found this site for now I think it might be the Guaifenex.
I also have trouble sleeping, and feel just awful thought I was having a nervous breakdown.
I won't be taking this drug again!

A lot of people who are experiencing side effects seem to have been prescribed a high dose of this medication. I am usually severely affected by prescribed medication (dry mouth, hallucinations, seizures, rashes etc- the lot!!!); that other people feel fine off. I don't think pseudophedrine is dangerous unless you have a high dosage. Its like with everything, any medicine can become a poision if you take enough of it. It is probably best to ask for a low dose instead. I'm taking 60 mg and its my first day- feel fine and congestion is loosening.

I've got sinusitis (sinus infection) and was prescribed Guaifenex PSE 120 TAB Ethex. Taken twice daily. So far I've had 3 doses, got to take one in a few hours soon. Every time I take it, anywhere within 15 (maybe 30) minutes - a few hours, I get severe abdominal cramping, and sometimes bloating. I thought maybe it's just that I'm not eating enough and there's air pockets in my system that's causing the cramping. But it only happens when I take the meds...
Is abdominal cramping (like a bad menstrual cramp) normal???
Plus I do feel like it is harder to sleep, and at times have felt feverish, or like I'm just burning up, that the room is so hot.
Anyone experiencing any "sexual" side-effects from the drug?

Yikes!!!! I just started taking Guaifenex last night, 1/2 a pill twice a day, and was looking on the Internet about the drug when I saw this website. I don't know whether to continue or not. I was prescribed Guaifenex for severe sinus headaches that I have had for the last 3 weeks. Last night a few hours after taking it, I felt some relief. So even though a lot of the comments here are negative, I think I will give it a try for a few more day. I'll let you know if anything drastic happens.

I have noticed tingling in my fingers. I also wake up during the night every few hours. But it makes me not want to eat and that is great! It has cleared up my congestion and gives me energy. I will take it again the next time I have a sinus infection. The side effects are minimal and easy to tolerate for myself. Don't know what is happening to everyone else.

I take this medication for allergies... only 1 every couple of days and it works wonderful. I have not had luck with anything else and absolutely NO side effects. Just wanted to put that out there for those who want to try it.

I have taken this medication on and off many time for the last three years. I have found that if I do not drink enough water, I suffer many of the same side effects mentioned in these postings.

I believe it is an excellent medication.... IF IF IF ..... you drink a lot of water along with it.....and by "a lot" I mean at least eight ounces every hour works. That works for me. You must keep yourself hydrated very well -- and you will then see how well this medication does work.

My daughter has been sick since October for various ailments. She has asthma (no acute attacks), allergies and asthma. She was hospitalized once for pancreatitis and had strep a week later. She was left with fatigue and, after a while experienced pronounced urinary symptoms. Doctor diagnosed "urine retention" and took her off her Zertec. She has also had problems with constipation and headaches. Last week she was tested out the ying yang for nine things including brain tumor and Celiac's disease. After reading this website, I'm thinking that maybe she just needs to go off the guafinex he's been taking twice daily on the advice of her allergist.

I take 1/2 pill once a day. This product works great, but the dose needs to be less, never more than 1/2 pill. (and I am not a small person 220 lb)

Was prescribed Guaifenex PSE 600/120 for an sinus infection. Took my first pill last night at 9:00pm before bed and let me say I have yet to sleep. It's now 11:45am and I am still not tired. Will never take these again. Help...

Been on this for two weeks. I have been very fatigued and have also experienced the dry mouth that so many mention. Perhaps the worst side effect for me is the vision change. I am very sensitive to light and everything is very blurry. I stopped taking it yesterday and I am still somewhat blurry. Hoping this wears off soon. Will be paying a visit to my eve doctor if it doesn't subside by tomorrow.

Hmm... but for me the ethex brand guaifenex perscribed to me has been like speed, i forst got it on a wednesday night took 2, which was recomended by my doctor, and i didnt sleep or eat a full meal until friday night when i didnt take the second dose of medication, and also drank a little that night. During those few days however i did continue taking my medicine, but sometimes not 2 twice a day. Basicaly i felt like i was on some amphetamine or speed for about 2 days straight. However i did not find the experience to be of any nuicance. But now about 4 days after starting the medicine, i have a rash on my hands and feet and the symptoms comply with hand foot and mouth disease, but actualy i think this is the real sickness i was prescribed to guaifinexe for, since the doctor never gave me an actual name for the virus

Frl. 05 Nov. 2004 I started taking Guaifenex on Nov. 3, I noticed my heart beating faster, couldn't sleep that night, but was still coughing quite a bit. The next day my congestion was better. I took the 2 pills as stated on the bottle, one at 7am and again at 3pm. What a mistake, I did not sleep at all,very nervous, and with eyes wide open I saw bright yellow balls of light coming from the ceiling. I will never take this again!!!!!

any medicine that I take. cold or allergy that has this chemical in it makes me extremely angry

This is merely time released Sudafed. You people on here who have all these crazy problems are ridiculous. If Pseudoephedrine is such a problem to these people, I dread what other simple drugs like aspirin or Maalox must do to you.
Anyone with half a brain knows that you need to drink lots of water with this drug. If you don't, you will encounter extreme dryness and head / bodyache. Just as well, it doesn't take a genius to read the common side effects of Pseudoephedrine before taking the drug. The things people are reporting here are typical common side effects. What is this, 'the uninformed alarmists' forum or what?!

My heart has been beating out of my chest since I started taking this...IT SUCKS. This is dangerous and once I realized this is why I've been vibrating from my own heart beat I stopped taking it immediately

My doctor prescribed me Guaifenex for a sinus infection along with trimethobenx for upset stomach along with advair ( a powder inhaler) never knew why she prescribed all of this medication just for a sinus infection. I stopped taken the advair an experienced shortness of breath, bad headaches, but one things for sure I only eat one meal a day. Oh by the way I can't sleep at night and extremely tired in the morning to start the cycle all over again the next day. It leave a very nasty taste in my mouth i'm constantly brushing my tongue it leave a coating on it. The drainage I can never cough up and my ears has been clogged since I started these meds. I take tylenol pm just to sleep. Something to think about before taking this medication. You get it for a sinus infection but end up with a headache.

I took this with a sinus infection and fluid on my ears - second time to take the Guaifenex for the same illness. It said very clearly on the bottle to take with a full glass of water and believe me, if you do not take with a full glass of water, the meds don't work properly at loosening up the mucos and you will get a headache. Lots of headaches are caused by dehydration anyway. But I think many of you who have complained of a headache would find if you drank more water when taking the pills, it would go away. It is also a little harder to fall asleep but no harder than it is when taking OTC Sudafed. So I would recommend the Guaifenex - it works great at breaking up the junk that causes the infections.

I have been taking Guaifenex on and off for a week--wondered why my heart was racing, breathing problems/heavy chest feeling, temperature fluctuates from normal to 97 degrees, have rash on upper arms and chest after getting out in the sun, feel "foggy" headed, tired. Glad I found this site. Will definitely not take this again.

This is the last time I will take this medication combined with P-seudeprine. My doctor prescribed this combined dosasge of medicine to get ride of ear inflammation/congestion but it did not work. Instead it gave me a tinnitus (ringing in the ear) anxiety attack nervousness, panic, elevated blood pressure and insomia. This is the first time I ever had this feelings. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE unless you have to.

I was just wondering what those of you who stopped taking the medication did, to get rid of your sinus problem? I need an alternative.