Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Maxiphen DM


Pronunciation: FEN-il-EF-rin/DEX-troe-meth-OR-fan/gwye-FEN-e-sin
Generic Name: Phenylephrine/Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin
Brand Name: Examples include Deconex DMX and Maxiphen DM


Maxiphen DM is used for:

Relieving congestion, cough, and throat and airway irritation due to colds, flu, or hay fever. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.


Maxiphen DM is a decongestant, cough suppressant, and expectorant combination. It works by constricting blood vessels, reducing swelling in the nasal passages, and loosening mucus and lung secretions in the chest, making coughs more productive. The cough suppressant works in the brain to help decrease the cough reflex.


Do NOT use Maxiphen DM if:


  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Maxiphen DM

  • you have severe high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, or other severe heart problems (eg, heart blood vessel disease)

  • you have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.



Before using Maxiphen DM:


Some medical conditions may interact with Maxiphen DM. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:


  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

  • if you have a history of glaucoma, enlarged prostate gland or other prostate problems, heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, blood vessel problems, adrenal gland problems, mental or mood problems (eg, depression), an overactive thyroid, seizures, or stroke

  • if you have a chronic cough, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other lung problems (eg, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema), or if your cough produces large amounts of mucus

  • if you are in poor health or are very overweight

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Maxiphen DM. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:


  • Digoxin or droxidopa because the risk of irregular heartbeat or heart attack may be increased

  • Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, tolcapone), furazolidone, indomethacin, MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Maxiphen DM's side effects

  • Bromocriptine because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Maxiphen DM

  • Guanadrel, guanethidine, mecamylamine, methyldopa, or reserpine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Maxiphen DM

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Maxiphen DM may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.


How to use Maxiphen DM:


Use Maxiphen DM as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.


  • Take Maxiphen DM by mouth with or without food.

  • Take Maxiphen DM with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).

  • Drink plenty of water while taking Maxiphen DM.

  • If you miss a dose of Maxiphen DM, 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 Maxiphen DM.



Important safety information:


  • Maxiphen DM may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Maxiphen DM with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

  • Maxiphen DM has phenylephrine and dextromethorphan in it. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has phenylephrine or dextromethorphan in it too. If it does or if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

  • Do NOT exceed the recommended dose or take Maxiphen DM for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.

  • If your symptoms do not get better within 5 to 7 days or if they get worse, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

  • Do not use Maxiphen DM for a cough with a lot of mucus. Do not use it for a long-term cough (eg, caused by asthma, emphysema, smoking). However, you may use it for these conditions if your doctor tells you to.

  • Maxiphen DM may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure that your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Maxiphen DM.

  • Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Maxiphen DM before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

  • Use Maxiphen DM with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.

  • Maxiphen DM should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Maxiphen DM can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Maxiphen DM while you are pregnant. It is not known if Maxiphen DM is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Maxiphen DM.


Possible side effects of Maxiphen DM:


All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:



Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; excitability; headache; irritability; nausea; stomach upset; trouble sleeping.



Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty urinating; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, nervousness); paleness; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; tremor.



This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.


See also: Maxiphen DM side effects (in more detail)


If OVERDOSE is suspected:


Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; confusion; difficulty urinating; fast or shallow breathing; hallucinations; paleness; restlessness; seizures; severe dizziness, lightheadedness, or headache; severe drowsiness; unusually fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; vomiting.


Proper storage of Maxiphen DM:

Store Maxiphen DM at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Maxiphen DM out of the reach of children and away from pets.


General information:


  • If you have any questions about Maxiphen DM, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

  • Maxiphen DM is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

  • Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Maxiphen DM. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.



Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Maxiphen DM resources


  • Maxiphen DM Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Maxiphen DM Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Maxiphen DM Drug Interactions
  • Maxiphen DM Support Group
  • 0 Reviews for Maxiphen DM - Add your own review/rating


  • Certuss-D Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)

  • TriTuss Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)



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