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Written By Veda Maddala , M Pharmacy
Reviewed By Dr Aneela Siddabathuni , MPharma., PhD
Last Updated Nov 23, 2024 | 4:54 PM IST
Viscofast Syrup is used to treat cough associated with excessive mucus in patients with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder). It helps in dissolving hard phlegm (sputum/cough) which makes breathing difficult usually in respiratory problems like allergies, sinusitis, common cold, bronchitis, flu, etc. It works by increasing the volume of fluid in the airways, thereby reducing the stickiness or viscosity of mucus, and making it easier to cough out. It relaxes muscles and widens the airways making breathing easier in people with respiratory complications. Some people may experience side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, skin rash, tremor, stomach upset, and fast heartbeats.
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About Viscofast Syrup

Viscofast Syrup belongs to a class of respiratory medication called ‘expectorant' primarily used to treat vicious and excessive mucus in patients with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) having a cough. It helps in dissolving hard phlegm (sputum/cough) which makes breathing difficult usually in respiratory problems like allergies, sinusitis, common cold, bronchitis, flu, etc. Coughing (dry or productive) is a body’s way of clearing irritants (like allergens, mucus, or smoke) from airways and preventing infection.

Viscofast Syrup is a combination of four drugs, namely: Guaifenesin (expectorant), Bromhexine (mucolytic agent), Terbutaline (bronchodilator), and Menthol (cooling agent). Guaifenesin belongs to the class of expectorants that works by increasing the volume of fluid in the airways, thereby reducing the stickiness or viscosity of mucus, and making it easier for airway passage. Bromhexine belongs to the class of mucolytic agents (cough/sputum thinner) that works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe, and nose, making it easier to cough it out. Terbutaline belongs to the class of bronchodilators that relaxes muscles and widens the airways making breathing easier in people with respiratory complications. Menthol is a cooling agent that produces a cooling sensation and provides relief from minor throat irritation due to cough deposition.

Take Viscofast Syrup as prescribed. Your doctor will recommend how often you take Viscofast Syrup based on your medical condition. Some people may experience diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, skin rash, tremor, stomach upset, and fast heartbeats. Most of these side effects of Viscofast Syrup do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

If you are known to be allergic to Viscofast Syrup or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, it is advised to inform your doctor before taking Viscofast Syrup. Avoid taking Viscofast Syrup while breastfeeding as it is excreted in breast milk and may cause adverse effects in the baby. If you are suffering from fits or have a history of fits, please inform your doctor before taking Viscofast Syrup as it may increase the risk of recurrent fits. If you have diabetes, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended while taking Viscofast Syrup. If you have diabetes, fits, high blood pressure, glaucoma, cough for a long time, chronic bronchitis (swelling and irritation of the lining of airways), emphysema (lung condition resulting in shortness of breath), overactive thyroid, phenylketonuria (a congenital disability that causes accumulation of amino acid, phenylalanine in the body), ulcers in the stomach or intestines, kidney, liver or heart problems, please inform your doctor before taking Viscofast Syrup.

Uses of Viscofast Syrup

Treatment of Cough

Medicinal Benefits

Viscofast Syrup is a combination of four drugs, namely: Guaifenesin (expectorant), Bromhexine (mucolytic agent), Terbutaline (bronchodilator), and Menthol (cooling agent). Guaifenesin belongs to the class of expectorants that works by increasing the volume of fluid in the airways, thereby reducing the stickiness or viscosity of mucus, and making it easier for airway passage. Bromhexine belongs to the class of mucolytic agents (cough/sputum thinner) that works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe, and nose, making it easier to cough it out. Terbutaline belongs to the class of bronchodilators that relaxes muscles and widens the airways making breathing easier in people with respiratory complications. Menthol is a cooling agent that produces a cooling sensation and provides relief from minor throat irritation due to cough deposition.

Directions for Use

Shake the bottle well before use. Check the label for directions before using Viscofast Syrup and take it with or without food as prescribed by your doctor with the help of a measuring cup that is provided with the pack.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Viscofast Syrup

  • Diarrhoea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Skin rash
  • Tremor
  • Stomach upset
  • Fast heartbeats

Drug Warnings

If you are known to be allergic to Viscofast Syrup or any other medicines, pregnant or planning for pregnancy, it is advised to inform your doctor before taking Viscofast Syrup. Avoid taking Viscofast Syrup while breastfeeding as it is excreted in breast milk and may cause adverse effects in the baby. If you are suffering from fits (epilepsy) or have a history of fits, please inform your doctor before taking Viscofast Syrup as it may increase the risk of recurrent fits. If you have diabetes, fits, high blood pressure, glaucoma, cough from a long time, chronic bronchitis (swelling and irritation of the lining of airways), emphysema (lung condition resulting in shortness of breath), overactive thyroid, phenylketonuria (a congenital disability that causes accumulation of amino acid, phenylalanine in the body), ulcers in the stomach or intestines, kidney, liver or heart problems, please inform your doctor before taking Viscofast Syrup.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction: Viscofast Syrup may have interaction with medicines used to lower high blood pressure (propranolol), hormone (epinephrine), water pills (furosemide), anti-allergic drugs (promethazine), uterine stimulant (oxytocin), bronchodilators (formoterol, dyphylline), anti-sickness drug (ondansetron).

Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have diabetes, fits, high blood pressure, glaucoma, cough from a long time, chronic bronchitis (swelling and irritation of the lining of airways), emphysema (lung condition resulting in shortness of breath), overactive thyroid, phenylketonuria (a birth defect that causes accumulation of amino acid, phenylalanine in the body), ulcers in the stomach or intestines, kidney, liver or heart problems, please inform your doctor before taking Viscofast Syrup.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List

  • PROPRANOLOL
  • EPINEPHRINE
  • FUROSEMIDE
  • PROMETHAZINE
  • OXYTOCIN
  • FORMOTEROL
  • DYPHYLLINE
  • ONDANSETRON

Habit Forming

No

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

  • Avoid dairy products such as milk as it may increase mucus production. Also, avoid processed or refined foods to have relief from cough. Instead replace baked foods, fried foods, white bread, white pasta, French fries, sugary desserts and chips with green leafy vegetables.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dry throat while you have a cough and loosen mucus.
  • Avoid citrus fruits as it may worsen the cough. Eat fruits rich in water content such as pears, watermelon, peaches and pineapples.

Special Advise

Regularly monitor blood sugar levels while taking Viscofast Syrup if you have diabetes as it may increase blood sugar levels.

Disease/Condition Glossary

Cough: Coughing is a body’s way of clearing irritants (like allergens, mucus, or smoke) from airways and preventing infection. Coughs may be dry or productive. A productive cough (wet cough) brings up sputum (phlegm, mucus, and other matter) from the lungs. Cough is commonly caused as a response to allergy or viral infection but coughing up mucus is possibly an indication of infection in the respiratory tract. If you are coughing thick, solid white mucus, it indicates you may have a bacterial infection in the airways. If the mucus is clear or light-colored, it indicates you may have allergies or a minor infection in the respiratory tract, and yellow or green mucus indicates a respiratory infection.

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Alcohol

Caution

Interaction of alcohol with Viscofast Syrup is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Viscofast Syrup.

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Pregnancy

Unsafe

Viscofast Syrup is contraindicated in pregnant women, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy as it may cause birth defects. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.

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Breast Feeding

Unsafe

Viscofast Syrup is excreted in breast milk and may cause adverse effects in the baby. Hence, it is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers.

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Driving

Caution

Viscofast Syrup may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Viscofast Syrup.

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Liver

Safe if prescribed

If you have any concerns regarding the use of Viscofast Syrup in patients with Liver problems, please consult a doctor.

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Kidney

Safe if prescribed

If you have any concerns regarding the use of Viscofast Syrup in patients with Kidney problems, please consult a doctor.

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Children

Caution

Viscofast Syrup should be used with caution in children, especially below 2 years of age if prescribed by a doctor.

Country of origin

India
Other Info - VI80354

Author Details

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FAQs

Viscofast Syrup is used to treat viscous and excessive mucus in patients with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) having a cough. It helps in dissolving hard phlegm (sputum/cough) which makes breathing difficult usually in respiratory problems like allergies, sinusitis, common cold, bronchitis, flu, etc.
Viscofast Syrup contains Guaifenesin, Bromhexine, Terbutaline and Menthol. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that works by increasing the volume of fluid in the airways, reduce the stickiness of mucus and helps to remove it from airways. Bromhexine is a mucolytic agent (cough/sputum thinner) that works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in lungs, windpipe and nose. Thereby, helps to cough out easily. Terbutaline is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles and widens the airways. Thereby, makes breathing easier. Menthol is a cooling agent that produces cooling sensation and provides relief from minor throat irritation.
Yes, Viscofast Syrup may cause drowsiness or dizziness. It is not necessary for everyone taking Viscofast Syrup to experience this side effect. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy or dizzy after taking Viscofast Syrup.
Viscofast Syrup should be used with caution in diabetic patients if prescribed by a doctor. However, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended while taking Viscofast Syrup as it may increase blood sugar levels.
No, you are not recommended to take propranolol with Viscofast Syrup as it may reduce the effectiveness of both the medicines. Also, propranolol may cause narrowing of airways sometimes, which may trigger severe asthmatic attacks or worsen breathing problems. However, you are recommended to consult a doctor before using other medicines with Viscofast Syrup.
Viscofast Syrup should be used with caution in hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid) patients as it may worsen the condition. Inform your doctor if have hyperthyroidism before taking Viscofast Syrup so that the dose may be adjusted appropriately. However, regular monitoring of thyroid hormone levels is recommended while taking Viscofast Syrup.
You are recommended to take Viscofast Syrup for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. However, if the symptoms persist or worsen with rash, fever or persistent headache after 1 week of using Viscofast Syrup, please consult your doctor.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Viscofast Syrup without consulting your doctor as it may worsen cough or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Viscofast Syrup for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Viscofast Syrup, please consult your doctor.
The dosage can vary based on the individual's age, medical condition, and the severity of symptoms. Follow the specific dosage instructions provided by your doctor.
Take Viscofast Syrup with or without food. Your doctor will recommend the best time to take Viscofast Syrup. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Viscofast Syrup can be given to elderly patients if prescribed by your doctor. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the side effects of Viscofast Syrup, such as dizziness, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal issues. Therefore, consult a doctor before giving Viscofast Syrup to elderly patients.
Viscofast Syrup is recommended for wet cough. Therefore, consult your doctor for a medication that specifically targets dry cough.
Viscofast Syrup can be taken with or without food as advised by the doctor with the help of a measuring cup that is provided with the pack. Do not exceed recommended dose.
No, taking Viscofast Syrup in a dose higher than recommended will not make it more effective and can actually be harmful. Viscofast Syrup overdose can increase the risk of serious side effects and potentially lead to health complications. It's important to follow your doctor's prescribed dosage and instruction. However, if you feel that the current dose is not effective, please consult your doctor.
Store Viscofast Syrup at room temperature in a cool and dry place away from light. Keep it out of reach of children.
The common side effects of Viscofast Syrup are diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, skin rash, tremor, stomach upset, and fast heartbeats. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

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