Robitussin Ac

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 8/17/2022

Drug Summary

What Is Robitussin AC?

Robitussin Ac (guaifenesin and codeine) is a combination of an expectorant and a narcotic used to treat cough and to reduce chest congestion caused by upper respiratory infections or the common cold. Robitussin Ac is available in generic form.

What Are Side Effects of Robitussin AC?

Common side effects of Robitussin Ac include:

  • drowsiness,
  • dizziness,
  • lightheadedness,
  • headache,
  • facial flushing,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • upset stomach,
  • constipation,
  • skin rash,
  • itching, or
  • warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Robitussin Ac including:

  • mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations),
  • fast or irregular heartbeat, or
  • trouble urinating.

Get medical help right away if you have a very serious side effect of Robitussin Ac such as seizure.

Robitussin Ac may cause serious side effects including:

  • noisy breathing,
  • sighing,
  • shallow breathing,
  • slow heart rate,
  • weak pulse,
  • severe dizziness or drowsiness,
  • confusion,
  • hallucinations,
  • unusual thoughts or behavior,
  • little or no urinating, and
  • severe constipation

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Robitussin AC

Take Robitussin Ac by mouth with or without food, usually every 4 to 6 hours as needed with a full glass of water or as directed by your doctor.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Robitussin AC?

Robitussin Ac may interact with cimetidine, quinidine, naloxone, naltrexone, or other medicines that make you sleepy (such as allergy medicine, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and seizure medicine, depression, or anxiety). Tell your doctor all medications you use.

Robitussin AC During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

During pregnancy, Robitussin Ac should be used only if prescribed. It is not recommended during the last 3 months of pregnancy due to increased risk for serious side effects in a newborn baby (e.g., withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, diarrhea, seizures).

Tell the doctor if you notice symptoms in your newborn. This medication passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. The codeine in this medication may be habit-forming, and you may have withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking it.

Additional Information

Our Robitussin Ac (guaifenesin and codeine) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for Robitussin Ac

Guaifenesin and Codeine

Each 5 ml (1 teaspoonful) contains:

Guaifenesin, USP: 100 mg

Codeine Phosphate, USP: 10 mg

(Warning: May be habit forming)

Alcohol 3.5 percent

In a palatable, aromatic syrup.

Inactive ingredients: (guaifenesin and codeine) Caramel, Citric Acid, FD&C Red 40, Flavors, Glycerin, Saccharin Sodium, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitol, Water.

Uses for Robitussin Ac

Temporarily controls cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation as may occur with the common cold or inhaled irritants. Helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to make coughs more productive.

Dosage for Robitussin Ac

No information provided.

HOW SUPPLIED

No information provided.

Side Effects for Robitussin Ac

No information provided.

Drug Interactions for Robitussin Ac

Caution should be used when taking this product with sedatives, tranquilizers and drugs used for depression, especially monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These combinations may cause greater sedation (drowsiness) than is caused by the products used alone.

Directions

Take orally as stated below or use as directed by a doctor.

    Adults and children 12 years of age and over: 2 teaspoonfuls every 4 hours, not to exceed 12 teaspoonfuls in a 24-hour period;

    children 6 to under 12 years: 1 teaspoonful every 4 hours, not to exceed 6 teaspoonfuls in a 24-hour period;

    children under 6 years: consult a doctor.

A special measuring device should be used to give an accurate dose of this product to children under 6 years of age. Giving a higher dose than recommended by a doctor could result in serious side effects for a child. Use of codeine-containing preparations is not recommended for children under 2 years of age. Do not exceed recommended dosage.

Warnings for Robitussin Ac

A persistent cough may be a sign of a serious condition. If cough persists for more than 1 week, tends to recur, or is accompanied by fever, rash, or persistent headache, consult a doctor. Do not take this product for persistent or chronic cough such as occurs with smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or if cough is accompanied by excessive phlegm (mucus) unless directed by a doctor. Adults and children who have a chronic pulmonary disease or shortness of breath, or children who are taking other drugs, should not take this product unless directed by a doctor. May cause or aggravate constipation. As with any drug, if you are pregnant or nursing a baby, seek the advice of a health professional before using this product.

Professional Note: Guaifenesin has been shown to produce a color interference with certain clinical laboratory determinations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA).

Precautions for Robitussin Ac

No information provided.

Overdose Information for Robitussin Ac

No information provided.

Contraindications for Robitussin Ac

No information provided.

Clinical Pharmacology for Robitussin Ac

This syrup preparation combines the expectorant, guaifenesin, with the cough suppressant, codeine. Guaifenesin enhances the output of lower respiratory tract fluid. The enhanced flow of less viscid secretions promotes and facilitates the removal of mucus. Codeine is a centrally acting agent which elevates the threshold for cough. As a result, dry, unproductive coughs become more productive and less frequent.

Patient Information for Robitussin Ac

See WARNINGS.

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