Updated January 2006
This page lists sources for guaifenesin and sal-safe
products.
PLEASE BE AWARE: Guaifenesin
will not work for fibromyalgia / CFS unless you follow the treatment protocol
correctly.
It is vital that you read What Your Doctor May
NOT Tell You About Fibromyalgia and the information here and on Dr
St Amand's Website before you start taking guaifenesin.
Dr St Amand's protocol was developed using long-acting (also
called sustained release or extended release) guaifenesin, which was what was
available on prescription at the time.
The generic long-acting Guaifenesin brands have now been
replaced with a brand known as Mucinex (from Adams labs). This has a fast-acting
layer and a time-released layer and comes in a 600mg tablet (the instructions
say not to cut in half but Claudia Marek has confirmed that is fine to do when
taking 300mg x 2). This is the only FDA approved extended release guaifenesin at
present. The FDA is the US Food and Drug Administration. It is available without
prescription.
Important: Since guaifenesin went over the counter in
2002, Dr St Amand has only observed three brands of guaifenesin which work
consistently to clear the left thigh (the essential indicator of reversal) -
these are Mucinex (also marketed as Pro-Health Guaifenesin 600mg), Marina del
Ray compounded Guaifenesin (see below) and Guaifenesin FA (800mg tablets). Dr St
Amand recommends that all patients take extended release guaifenesin up to
1200mg. If they need a higher dose they should top up with Guaifenesin FA.
Please click
here for the latest guidelines from the Fibromyalgia Treatment website on
this issue (May 2005).
If you are doing well on another brand, there is no need to
change. If you are not progressing as expected (after rechecking products),
especially if you have titrated up to a high dose, then we would recommend
switching to one of these brands.
NEW: There is a new fast-acting guaifenesin now available
from Grace Fibrosmile called Sologuai. This is more expensive than Guaifenesin
FA. However it is aimed at those who are very sensitive to various inactive
ingredients. It is dye-free, sweetner-free, vanillin-free, lactose-free,
corn-free and is manufactured without exposure to latex. It contains no
maltodextrin so it is suitable for those with hypoglycemia who are sensitive to
it.
Please ensure that you buy guaifenesin as a single
ingredient. Do NOT use cough mixtures. These should not be used to treat
fibromyalgia. They contain other ingredients such as pseudoephedrine which can
cause side-effects.
Guaifenesin tablets are not available in the UK at present.
It is not yet licensed to be sold here as a single ingredient.
If you would like more advice about brands, please email
Fiona, our administrator at Trigleann@aol.com.
Sources
STORAGE GUIDANCE: Store in a cool, dry,
dark place, out of direct sunlight. Do not store your guaifenesin in a
humid place (ie bathroom or kitchen) or in direct sunlight. Do not store
in the fridge.
ImmuneSupport
Immue Support, based in California, sell Mucinex under the label
Pro Health Guaifenesin 600.
They also sell Guaifenesin FA. This comes in a 400mg tablet
which is scored to be easily split in two. It is also dye-free for those with
intolerances to dye.
Marina
del Rey Pharmacy
US
code + (310)
823 5311
zelenaymdrrx@aol.com
Sell Pro Health Guaifenesin 600, Guaifenesin FA and Sologuai.
They also sell a compounded long-acting guaifenesin. This is
dye-free and lactose-free and comes in 600mg scored tablets. A prescription is
required for this product. For UK patients this means a private prescription.
You may be able to get one from your GP but this is at their discretion.
Your prescription needs to state 'dye-free' or 'patient needs to
split dosage' as Mucinex is difficult to break. There needs to be a specific
reason for getting compounded guaifenesin rather than Mucinex.
Grace
Fibro-Smile
Grace sell Pro-Health Guaifenesin 600mg and Sologuai.
Salicylate-Free Products
On our salicylates page
you can link to our latest list of products checked by our members which we
believe to be 'sal-safe'. These are all easily obtained in your local Boots or
supermarket.
There are several companies which sell products guaranteed to be
salicylate-free to support people following Dr St Amand's protocol. These are
USA-based companies.
Dr
Stay
Dr Stay produce a wide range of salicylate-free dental products
under the Grace label and now also produce a range of cosmetics, skin and
haircare products. All are also hypoallergenic and chemically safe.
Andrea
Rose
Personal Basics by Andrea Rose are a range of perfume-free,
salicylate-free products, again including make-up, hair and body products and
toothpaste.
Immune Support also sell Grace Fibro-Smile salicylate-free
dental products. Marina del Ray pharmacy sell a good range of Grace, Andrea Rose
and other sal-safe products.
