The active ingredient guaiphenesin has an expectorant [medicine which promotes coughing and expulsion of mucous (wet or productive cough)] action and has been reported to increase the volume and decrease the viscosity of tenacious phlegm (thick mucus). STEARNS is used for the alleviation of cough associated with viscid / tenacious phlegm (thick mucus).
2. WHAT STEARNS IS USED FOR:
3. BEFORE YOU TAKE STEARNS:
Do not take Stearns:
- If you are allergic to guaiphenesin or any of the other ingredients in the preparation.
- If you have porphyria (inherited disorder of blood pigment metabolism).
Take special care with STEARNS: A persistent cough may be a sign of a serious condition. If cough persists for more than one week, tends to recur or is accompanied by high fever, rash, sore throat or persistent headache, consult a doctor. STEARNS should not be given to children under 2 years unless recommended by a doctor.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
The safety of this medicine in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. It is not known whether guaiphenesin is distributed into breast milk. However, problems in humans have not been documented. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding your baby while taking this medicine, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional for advice.
4. HOW TO TAKE STEARNS:
SHAKE WELL BEFORE USE. Adults and children 12 years and over: Oral dosage is 200 mg – 400 mg (10 ml – 20 ml) every 4 hours. Do not exceed 2 400 mg (120 ml) in 24 hours. Children 6 to under 12 years: Oral dosage is 100 mg – 200 mg (5 ml – 10 ml) every 4 hours. Do not exceed 1 200 mg (60 ml) in 24 hours. Children 2 to under 6 years: Oral dosage is 50 mg – 100 mg (2,5 ml – 5 ml) every 4 hours. Do not exceed 600 mg (30 ml) in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor.
If you take more STEARNS than you should (an overdose): Very large doses can cause gastrointestinal (affecting stomach and intestines) discomfort, nausea and vomiting. Treatment by your doctor or healthcare professional is symptomatic and supportive. Do not share your medicines with other people.
5. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
STEARNS can have side effects. Gastrointestinal disorders:
Less frequent: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and gastrointestinal (affecting the stomach and intestines) discomfort.
Nervous system disorders: Less frequent: Dizziness and headache.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Less frequent: Skin rash and urticaria (allergic skin rash). Consult a doctor if cough persists after medication has been used for 7 days or if fever, skin rash, continuing headache, or sore throat is present with cough. Not all side effects reported for this medicine are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen while taking this medicine, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional for advice.
6. STORING AND DISPOSING OF STEARNS:
Store in a well closed container, at or below 25 ºC. Protect from light. Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use the medicine after the expiry date stated on the container. Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist. Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems (e.g. toilets).