Suggest Dosage For Guaifenesin Expectorant While Having Chest Congestion

Posted on Sun, 15 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 15 Jan 2017 Answered on

Wed, 8 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : How long should my 90 year old mother stay on the expectorant medication . she took it for a day and a half to no effect. This is the pill which begins with "gui". She does complain of a feeling of congestion in her lungs, but she has a cold.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
If she is not comfortable with using it, she can discontinue it

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. You must be talking about guaifenesin the expectorant, and the use of an expectorant is to only help expel the phlegm or sputum that is being formed which can help relieve your mother of any distress.

If your mother is not comfortable with the expectorant, then she can choose to discontinue it, whatever makes her feel more comfortable. But you should also know that the congestion in her lungs could be because of the cold (infection) that she has, and the expectorant is to help her recover sooner and also feel more comfortable until she recovers.

If she doesn't mind, ask her is she is comfortable with sipping lukewarm water which can also help with expulsion of sputum to a certain extent.

I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad