Duraflu
Duraflu is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication used to help temporarily relieve cold and flu symptoms, such as cough, stuffy nose, and fever. It's a combination of four medications: acetaminophen (a pain reliever), dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), guaifenesin (an expectorant), and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant). Duraflu comes as an oral tablet that's taken by adults and children every 4 hours to help with symptom relief. Because Duraflu contains pseudoephedrine, you'll likely have to purchase this product behind the pharmacy counter. Common side effects of this medication include fast heart beat, feeling nervous, dizziness, and nausea.
What is Duraflu?
What is Duraflu used for?
Short-term relief of common cold and flu symptoms, including:
- Minor aches and pains
- Fever
- Headache
- Cough
- Chest congestion
- Stuffy nose
How Duraflu works
Duraflu is a combination of four medications:
- Acetaminophen is a pain reliever. It eases pain and lowers fever by stopping the production of certain inflammatory chemicals in the brain.
- Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works in the part of your brain that makes you cough. It calms down this part of the brain and tells your body to cough less.
- Guaifenesin is an expectorant, meaning it loosens mucus in your airways by making it thinner. This makes it easier to cough out mucus and helps clear chest congestion.
- Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant, which works to relieve stuffy nose. It tightens the blood vessels around your nose, which eases nasal swelling and pressure. This allows you to breathe easier and to have better sinus drainage.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Duraflu |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Analgesic / Cough suppressant / Expectorant / Decongestant |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Controlled in some states. See FAQs below. |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription or over-the-counter |
Side effects of Duraflu
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Possible pseudoephedrine side effects:
- Feeling anxious
- Confusion
- Tremor
- Dry mouth
- Indigestion
- Excessive sweating
Less Common Side Effects
Possible acetaminophen side effects:
- Nausea
- Headache
Possible dextromethorphan side effects:
- Belly discomfort
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
Possible guaifenesin side effects:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
Duraflu serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Liver damage: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, severe stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
- Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, confusion
- Severe skin reaction: skin reddening, blisters, rash
The following Duraflu side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart palpitations—rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Increase in blood pressure
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Duraflu
Pros
- Combines four medications into one pill for convenience
- Taken by mouth
- Available without a prescription in many states
- Doesn't typically cause drowsiness
Cons
- Not meant to be used long-term for symptom relief
- Might need to take multiple times a day
- Can raise blood pressure and heart rate
- Shouldn't be taken with alcohol, since it can raise the risk of liver damage
Pharmacist tips for Duraflu
- It's best to limit how much alcohol you drink while you're taking Duraflu to help lower the risk for liver problems. This medication contains acetaminophen. Too much alcohol (3 drinks or more daily) and acetaminophen can seriously harm the liver.
- Tell your primary care provider (PCP) if you have a long-lasting cough that's caused by cigarette smoke or bronchitis, a cough that's related to a breathing problem (e.g., asthma, emphysema), or a cough with a lot of mucus. Duraflu might not be appropriate for these types of coughs.
- Talk with your PCP if your cough gets worse, comes back after clearing up, or lasts more than a week. Also let them know if you also have rash or headache with your cough. These might be signs of a more serious medical condition that requires other treatment.
- Stop taking Duraflu and call your PCP if your body aches or stuffy nose gets worse or lasts longer than 7 days. Also stop and contact your PCP if your fever gets worse or lasts for more than 3 days. You might need to get examined to see whether you need other treatment.
- Stop taking Duraflu and let your PCP know if you notice any mood changes, trouble sleeping, redness, swelling, or new symptoms.
- Stop taking Duraflu if you have a severe sore throat, if it lasts for more than 2 days, or if it happens along with fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting. These can be symptoms of a more serious medical condition that requires medical attention.
- Many other medications contain acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and pseudoephedrine, the same ingredients in Duraflu. Read package labels carefully and don't use multiple products with the same ingredients. This helps lower the risk of accidentally taking too much and serious side effects, like hallucinations, slow breathing, seizure, and liver damage (e.g., yellowing of eyes or skin). Get medical help right away if you have these side effects.
- Keep Duraflu up and away and out of children's reach and sight. Always put medication away every time you use it. This prevents children from accidentally swallowing any medication that's left out. Call a Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if a child might’ve accidentally swallowed the medication, even if you aren't completely sure.
Risks and warnings for Duraflu
Duraflu can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Liver damage
- Risk factors: Drinking 3 or more alcoholic beverages a day | Taking with other acetaminophen-containing medications | History of liver problems
Duraflu contains acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening liver damage. For healthy adults, the maximum amount of acetaminophen is typically 4 grams in a 24-hour period, though it could be lower depending on your liver health and your PCP's instructions. Be sure to keep track of how much acetaminophen you're taking throughout the day to lessen the risk for liver damage.
Talk to your PCP before starting Duraflu if you have a history of liver problems, since this medication might further damage your liver. Also avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking Duraflu because taking this medication with alcohol can put you at higher risk for liver damage.
Get medical attention right away if you notice any signs of liver problems, including feeling tired, upset stomach, stomach pain, dark urine, or yellowing of skin or whites of the eyes.
Risk of taking too much medication
There are many over-the-counter medications that contain the same or similar ingredients in Duraflu (acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, and guaifenesin). In addition, some prescription pain medications have acetaminophen in them.
Taking more than one product containing similar ingredients raises the risk that you might accidentally take too much medication. This can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening side effects. For example, taking too much acetaminophen can raise your risk for severe liver damage. Taking too much dextromethorphan can lead to hallucinations and trouble breathing. Also, taking too much pseudoephedrine can lead to anxiety, blurry vision, tremor, chest pain, palpitations, sweating, nausea, and vomiting.
Talk to your care team before you start Duraflu if you're not sure whether you're already taking a product with similar medications in it. To prevent an accidental overdose, carefully follow the product instructions on the package. Call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if you or anyone else might’ve accidentally taken too much Duraflu, even if you aren't completely sure.
Interaction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Risk factor: Currently take or have taken an MAOI in the last 14 days
Talk to your PCP first before using Duraflu if you're taking or have recently taken medications for Parkinson's disease or depression known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
MAOIs can interact with the dextromethorphan that's in Duraflu. This drug interaction can cause dangerously high blood pressure. It can also lead to a rare, but serious side effect called serotonin syndrome. Ask your PCP about other options to relieve your cold and flu symptoms if you've taken an MAOI in the past two weeks.
Serious skin reaction
In some rare cases, acetaminophen in Duraflu can cause serious skin reactions. Stop using Duraflu and get medical attention right away if you notice a rash, blisters, or skin reddening after you take the medication.
Fast heart rate and high blood pressure
- Risk factors: Heart problems | High blood pressure
Duraflu contains pseudoephedrine, which works by tightening the blood vessels in your nose. It can have this effect in other parts of your body as well. As a result, Duraflu can raise your blood pressure or speed up your heart rate. If you've a history of heart problems or high blood pressure, ask your PCP if Duraflu is safe for you before using it. If you experience severe headache, blurry vision, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain while taking this medication, stop taking it and get medical attention right away.
Worsening of certain medical conditions
- Risk factors: Liver problems | Heart problems | High blood pressure | Thyroid problems | Diabetes | Trouble urinating | Long-term cough | Cough with too much mucus
Speak to your care team first before using Duraflu if you have other medical conditions to make sure this medication is safe and appropriate for you. You might need other treatment if you have a cough with a lot of mucus or long-term coughing caused by conditions like asthma, emphysema, smoking, and bronchitis. In addition, it's possible for this medication to worsen certain medical conditions, such as liver problems, heart problems, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, or trouble urinating.
Duraflu dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 325mg/20mg/200mg/60mg | 30 tablets | $34.29 | $1.14 |
Typical dosage for Duraflu
Each tablet of Duraflu contains 325 mg of acetaminophen, 20 mg of dextromethorphan, 200 mg of guaifenesin, and 60 mg of pseudoephedrine.
- Adults and children ages 12 years and older: The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth every 4 hours as needed for cold and flu symptoms. Don't take more than 6 tablets in a 24-hour period.
- Children under age 12: The typical dose is one-half of a tablet by mouth every 4 hours as needed for cold and flu symptoms. Don't take more than 3 tablets in a 24-hour period. Speak with your child's pediatrician before using this medication.
How much does Duraflu cost?
$34.29
Duraflu contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Duraflu will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the past 14 days
- Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or products containing acetaminophen
