Robitussin AC is available with a prescription or over-the-counter in some areas. This oral liquid medication helps to suppress coughs, relieve sneezing and a running nose, and loosen accumulated mucous in the throat and lungs. This version of Robitussin does not contain pseudoephedrine unlike Robittusin DAC; it contain three other primary ingredients: pheniramine, guaifenesin and codeine. Robitussin AC is a potent medication that is usually prescribed for severe coughs and nasal congestion. It is a dark pink liquid and is usually cherry flavored. It contains three primary ingredients: pheniramine, guaifenesin and codeine. This medication should not be taken unless advised by a physician and will not treat coughs due to smoking, asthma and emphysema.
Codeine
A 5 mL dose of Robitussin AC contains 10 mg of codeine, an opiate that is in a group of drugs called narcotics. Codeine has powerful effects and can be addictive in larger and chronic doses. For this reason, Robitussin AC is recommended and prescribed for painful and persistent coughs that do not respond to other treatment. Codeine is a cough suppressant that works by affecting the cough reflex in the brain. Drugs.com underlines that an overdose of the opiate codeine can cause serious breathing problems and cardiac arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat.
Guaifenesin
The site PrescriptionDrug-Info.com defines guaifenesin as an expectorant that works to loosen mucus or phlegm in the throat and lungs so it can be coughed out through the mouth. This helps to reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold or an upper respiratory tract infection. Each dose of Robitussin AC contains 100 mg of guaifenesin.
Pheniramine
Pheniramine is an antihistamine decongestant drug that helps to relieve sneezing, a runny nose and nasal congestion, as mentioned at Drugs.com. An anti-histamine or histamine antagonist is a drug that inhibits the action of a chemical called histamine in the body that causes allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, hives and itching. Hence, pheniramine is used in allergy remedies for hay fever and other allergy reactions. Pheniramine also has strong sedative effects meaning that it causes drowsiness; there are 30 mg in 5 mL of Robitussin AC.
