Expectorants

Guaifenesin (Mucinex) is an example of an expectorant.

Mechanism of Action

Expectorants reduce the viscosity of tenacious secretions by irritating the gastric vagal receptors that stimulate respiratory tract fluid, thus increasing the volume but decreasing the viscosity of respiratory tract secretions.

Indication for Use

Expectorants are used for a productive cough and for loosening mucus from the respiratory tract.

Nursing Considerations Across the Lifespan

The medication is safe for all ages. Guaifenesin is only recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding when the benefit outweighs the risk.

Adverse/Side Effects

Guaifenesin may cause a skin rash, headache, nausea, and vomiting.[1]

Client Teaching & Education

Clients should take care to avoid irritants that stimulate their cough.  Additionally, the medication can cause drowsiness. Clients should avoid taking them with other CNS depressants or alcohol.[2]

Guaifenesin Medication Card

Now let’s take a closer look at the medication card for guaifenesin.[3],[4],[5]

Medication Card 5.9.1: Guaifenesin

Class: Expectorants

Prototypes: Guanfenesin (Mucinex)

Mechanism:  Expectorants reduce the viscosity of tenacious secretions by irritating the gastric vagal receptors that stimulate respiratory tract fluid, thus increasing the volume but decreasing the viscosity of respiratory tract secretions.

Therapeutic Effects

  • Helps loosen sputum (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to make coughs more productive

Administration

  • Liquid syrup or elixir, PO pill form – 12 hr effect (1 tablet is 600 mg) Max dose is 1200 mg in 24hrs
  • No eating or drinking for 30 minutes after syrup
  • Encourage patient to cough and deep breath
  • Stay hydrated (2-3 liters/day)
  • For adults 12 years and older
  • Do not exceed 24 hr limit of two doses
  • IF taking pill form-take with full glass of water
  • Do not crush or break pill

Indications

  • Expectorants are used for a productive cough and for loosening mucus from the respiratory tract

Contraindications

  • CNS depressants
  • Caution with pregnancy and breast feeding
  • Do not use if: Hyperthyroid, diabetes, closed angle glaucoma, high blood pressure, Heart disease, Enlarged prostate

Side Effects

  • skin rash
  • headache
  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • large doses cause drowsiness
  • Safety:
    • Speak with prescribing doctor for use when pregnant or breast feeding
    • Risk of drowsiness-assess respirations and wakefulness

Nursing Considerations

  • The medication is safe for all ages. Guaifenesin is only recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding when benefit outweighs the risk
  • Avoid irritants that stimulate their cough.
  • Can cause drowsiness. Patients should avoid taking them with other CNS depressants or alcohol
  1. Frandsen, G. & Pennington, S. (2018). Abrams’ clinical drug: Rationales for nursing practice (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. ↵
  2. uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https://www.unboundmedicine.com/ucentral ↵
  3. This work is a derivative of Pharmacology Notes: Nursing Implications for Clinical Practice by Gloria Velarde licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. ↵
  4. Frandsen, G. & Pennington, S. (2018). Abrams’ clinical drug: Rationales for nursing practice (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. ↵
  5. This work is a derivative of Daily Med by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the public domain. ↵

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Fundamentals of Nursing Pharmacology - Mohawk College Edition Copyright © 2023 by Chippewa Valley Technical College; Amanda Egert; Kimberly Lee; and Manu Gill is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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