Tussionex (Suspension)
Generic name: Hydrocodone and Phenyltoloxamine Suspension [ hye-droe-KOE-done-& fen-il-to-LOKS-a-meen ]
Brand name: Tussionex
Warning
- This medicine has an opioid drug in it. Opioid drugs can put you at risk for addiction, abuse, and misuse. Misuse or abuse of Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) can lead to overdose and death. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
- You will be watched closely to make sure you do not misuse, abuse, or become addicted to Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension).
- This medicine has an opioid drug in it. Severe side effects have happened when opioid drugs were used with benzodiazepines or other drugs that may make you drowsy or slow your actions. This includes slow or troubled breathing and death. Benzodiazepines include drugs like alprazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam. Benzodiazepines may be used to treat many health problems like anxiety, trouble sleeping, or seizures. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
- Many drugs interact with Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) and can raise the chance of side effects like deadly breathing problems. Talk with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure it is safe to use Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) with all of your drugs.
- Do not take with alcohol or products that have alcohol. Unsafe and sometimes deadly effects may happen.
- Get medical help right away if you feel very sleepy, very dizzy, or if you pass out. Caregivers or others need to get medical help right away if the patient does not respond, does not answer or react like normal, or will not wake up.
- This medicine may cause very bad and sometimes deadly breathing problems. Call your doctor right away if you have slow, shallow, or trouble breathing.
- The chance of very bad and sometimes deadly breathing problems may be greater when you first start Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) or anytime your dose is raised.
- Even one dose of Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) may be deadly if it is taken by someone else or by accident, especially in children. If Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) is taken by someone else or by accident, get medical help right away.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Using Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) for a long time during pregnancy may lead to withdrawal in the newborn baby. This can be life-threatening. Talk with the doctor.
Uses of Tussionex:
- It is used to relieve coughing.
- It is used to ease allergy signs.
Children:
- This medicine is not for use in children younger than 18 years of age. The benefits of taking Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) for a cough due to allergies, a cold, or other infection do not outweigh the risks in children. If your child has been given Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) or if you have any questions, talk with your child's doctor.
- The use of hydrocodone in children younger than 6 years has led to deadly breathing problems. Talk with the doctor.
- Do not give Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) to a child younger than 6 years of age.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Tussionex?
- If you have an allergy to hydrocodone, phenyltoloxamine, or any other part of Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension).
- If you are allergic to Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension); any part of Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have had a recent head injury, brain injury or tumor, or raised pressure in the brain.
- If you have a cough with a lot of mucus.
- If you have a long-term cough caused by smoking or being around smoke, or lung problems like asthma or emphysema.
- If you have any of these health problems: A lung infection, heart problems, high blood pressure, injury or surgery, nerve or muscle problems, seizures, stomach pain, appendicitis, or pancreatitis.
- If you have any of these health problems: Lung or breathing problems like asthma, trouble breathing, or sleep apnea; high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood; or stomach or bowel block or narrowing.
- If you have recently drunk a lot of alcohol or taken a big amount of drugs that may slow your actions like phenobarbital or some pain drugs like oxycodone.
- If you are going through alcohol withdrawal.
- If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson's disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.
- If you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension).
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Tussionex?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of very bad side effects.
- Do not take Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) for longer than you were told by your doctor.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) affects you.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
- If you have been taking Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) on a regular basis and you stop it all of a sudden, you may have signs of withdrawal. Do not stop taking Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) all of a sudden without calling your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have any bad effects.
- Do not take Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) with other strong pain drugs or if you are using a pain patch without talking to your doctor first.
- If you stop taking Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) and then decide to start it again, you may need to start at a lower dose. If you are starting Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) after stopping it for some time, talk with your doctor to see if you need a lower dose.
- This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension).
- If you drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit often, talk with your doctor.
- This medicine may raise the chance of seizures in some people, including people who have had seizures in the past. Talk to your doctor to see if you have a greater chance of seizures while taking Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension).
- Long-term use of an opioid drug may lead to lower sex hormone levels. Call your doctor if you have a lowered interest in sex, fertility problems, no menstrual period (women), or change in sex ability (men).
- If you are 65 or older, use Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) with care. You could have more side effects.
- This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension), call your doctor right away.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. This medicine passes into breast milk and may harm your baby.
How is this medicine (Tussionex) best taken?
Use Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
- Be sure that you know your dose and how to take Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension). Dosing errors can lead to accidental overdose and death. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not mix with any liquid.
- Shake well before use.
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension). If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension).
- Do not use a household teaspoon or tablespoon to measure Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension). Doing so could lead to the dose being too high.
- Rinse the measuring device with water after each use.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- If you take Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) on a regular basis, take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
- Many times Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Seizures.
- Chest pain or pressure.
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
- Feeling confused.
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
- Mood changes.
- Severe constipation or stomach pain. These may be signs of a severe bowel problem.
- Trouble passing urine.
- Shakiness.
- Change in eyesight.
- Trouble controlling body movements.
- Trouble walking.
- Clammy skin.
- Taking an opioid drug like Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) may lead to a rare but very bad adrenal gland problem. Call your doctor right away if you have very bad dizziness or passing out, very bad upset stomach or throwing up, or if you feel less hungry, very tired, or very weak.
- A severe and sometimes deadly problem called serotonin syndrome may happen if you take Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension) with certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; severe diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or severe headache.
What are some other side effects of Tussionex?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
- Constipation.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Not hungry.
- Itching.
- Sweating a lot.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Dry mouth.
- Headache.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Tussionex?
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Tussionex (hydrocodone and phenyltoloxamine suspension), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.