How much does guaifenesin cough syrup cost in Nigeria?

A bottle of guaifenesin-based cough syrup typically costs between ₦1,000 and ₦4,000, depending on the brand and bottle size. Imported brands such as Benylin Chesty Cough and Robitussin are at the higher end, while local generic expectorant syrups are cheaper. Combination products that also contain paracetamol or an antihistamine may cost more. Prices vary between pharmacies and cities.

What is the difference between an expectorant and a cough suppressant?

They do opposite jobs, so choosing the right one matters. An expectorant like guaifenesin loosens and thins mucus so a chesty, productive cough clears more easily — it helps you cough the phlegm up. A cough suppressant like dextromethorphan calms the cough reflex and is meant for a dry, tickly cough with no mucus. Using a suppressant on a chesty cough can trap mucus on the chest, while using an expectorant on a dry cough simply will not help. If you can feel phlegm, reach for an expectorant; if the cough is dry and irritating, a suppressant is more suitable.

Can I give guaifenesin cough syrup to my child?

Be careful. Guaifenesin-containing cough syrups and combination cough-and-cold medicines are generally not recommended for children under 6, and should be used only with a pharmacist's or doctor's guidance in older children, using a product and dose meant for their age. Never give an adult cough syrup to a small child by estimating the dose. For young children, safer first steps are plenty of fluids, warm drinks, honey (for those over 1 year), and rest — and a doctor's review if the cough is severe, persistent, or comes with fever or breathing difficulty.

How long should I take cough syrup before seeing a doctor?

Most coughs from a common cold ease within one to two weeks, and cough syrup is only there to make you more comfortable while that happens. See a doctor if your cough lasts more than 2-3 weeks, keeps returning, or comes with a high fever, breathlessness, wheezing, chest pain, or blood in the phlegm — these can point to something more than a simple cold, such as a chest infection, asthma, or tuberculosis, which is still common in Nigeria. Do not keep buying stronger and stronger cough syrups instead of getting a persistent cough checked.

Guaifenesin (Guaiphenesin) Price in Nigeria (July 2026): ₦7,500–₦14,950

Key Facts

Drug Class: Expectorant
Prescription: Over the counter
NAFDAC Status: NAFDAC Registered
Forms: Syrup, Tablet
Online price: ~₦14,005see prices

What is Guaifenesin?

Guaifenesin is an expectorant — a medicine that helps clear a chesty, mucus-filled cough. It is one of the most common active ingredients in the cough syrups sold across Nigerian pharmacies and patent medicine stores, appearing both on its own and blended into combination cold-and-cough products. Well-known brands containing guaifenesin include Benylin Chesty Cough and Robitussin, alongside many affordable local generics.

Guaifenesin works by thinning and loosening the thick mucus (phlegm) in the airways, so that coughing brings it up more easily and the chest feels less congested. Importantly, it does not stop you coughing — it makes your cough more useful. That is why it suits a 'chesty' or 'productive' cough where you can feel mucus on the chest, and is the wrong choice for a dry, tickly cough with no phlegm, for which a cough suppressant like dextromethorphan is more appropriate.

Guaifenesin is available without a prescription and is generally very safe when taken at the recommended dose. Drinking plenty of water alongside it helps it work, because good hydration also keeps mucus loose. Most coughs from a common cold clear on their own within one to two weeks; guaifenesin eases the symptoms while that happens. Genuine cough syrups in Nigeria should carry a NAFDAC registration number — worth checking, as cough preparations are a common target for fakes.

What is Guaifenesin used for?

In Nigeria, Guaifenesin is commonly used for:

Relieving a chesty (productive) cough by loosening mucus in the airways
Easing chest congestion during a cold or mild chest infection
Helping clear phlegm so the airways feel less blocked
Symptom relief as part of combination cough-and-cold remedies
Supportive treatment alongside rest and fluids for common colds

Dosage

IMPORTANT

Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.

Adults

For a typical 100mg/5ml syrup, the usual adult dose is 10ml (200mg) three to four times a day, or as directed on the pack. Do not exceed the maximum stated on the label. Drink plenty of water while taking guaifenesin, as it helps loosen mucus. Follow the specific product's instructions, since strengths and combination ingredients differ between brands.

Children

Doses for children depend on age and the product strength — always follow the label or pharmacist's advice. Guaifenesin-containing cough syrups are generally not recommended for children under 6 years, and cough-and-cold medicines should be used cautiously in young children. Never give an adult cough syrup to a small child by guessing the dose.

Elderly

Standard adult doses are usually suitable. Older adults with other health conditions or on several medicines should check with a pharmacist, especially when using combination products.

Guaifenesin treats the symptom, not the cause. A cough that lasts more than 2-3 weeks, or comes with high fever, breathlessness, chest pain, or coughing up blood, needs a doctor rather than more cough syrup. Read the label carefully on combination products — many contain paracetamol, antihistamines, or decongestants as well, and doubling up on these across different medicines can be harmful.

Side Effects

Common side effects

•Nausea or mild stomach upset
•Vomiting, especially at higher doses
•Dizziness or headache
•Drowsiness (more likely with combination products that contain an antihistamine)

Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately

Rash, itching, or swelling — possible allergic reaction
Difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat — seek emergency care
Persistent vomiting

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if your cough lasts more than 2-3 weeks, keeps coming back, or is accompanied by a high fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, or blood in the phlegm. Stop the medicine and seek help if you develop a rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing. For a persistent chesty cough in a smoker, or in anyone with known lung disease, a medical review is important rather than continued self-treatment.

Warnings & Precautions

Do not take Guaifenesin if you have:

Do not use if you are allergic to guaifenesin
Avoid in children under 6 years unless advised by a doctor
Use combination cough-and-cold products cautiously if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or an enlarged prostate (because of added decongestants)
Do not use to suppress a productive cough that is clearing a chest infection without medical advice

Drug interactions

•Combination cough-and-cold syrups may contain paracetamol — avoid taking additional paracetamol-containing medicines at the same time to prevent overdose
•Products that also contain sedating antihistamines can add to the drowsiness caused by alcohol or other sedatives
•Added decongestants (in some combinations) can interact with blood pressure medicines and certain antidepressants
•Guaifenesin on its own has few significant drug interactions

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

There is limited safety data on guaifenesin in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, so it is best avoided in early pregnancy and used later only if clearly needed and after speaking to a doctor or pharmacist. Non-drug measures such as steam inhalation, honey and warm fluids, and rest are safer first steps for a cough in pregnancy. Small amounts may pass into breast milk; check with a pharmacist before use while breastfeeding, and prefer single-ingredient products over combinations.

Brands of Guaifenesin in Nigeria

The NAFDAC registry holds 22 Guaifenesin products from 18 manufacturers, including combination products and older listings whose status you can check in the full list. Below are some of the most common brands — see the full, searchable list for all of them.

Brand Name	Manufacturer	Strength	Form
Benylin Chesty Cough	Kenvue	100mg/5ml	Syrup
Robitussin Chesty Cough	Haleon	100mg/5ml	Syrup
Guaifenesin Syrup	Various generic manufacturers	100mg/5ml	Syrup

See all 22 registered Guaifenesin brands

How to Verify Your Guaifenesin is Genuine

1Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack — genuine cough syrups sold in Nigeria must carry a valid NAFDAC number
2Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book or the NAFDAC mobile app, especially for imported brands like Benylin and Robitussin
3Buy from licensed pharmacies and registered patent medicine stores rather than roadside hawkers, as cough syrups are commonly counterfeited
4Check the expiry date and that the seal, cap, and carton are intact and untampered
5Genuine syrup should be the expected colour and consistency with no unusual smell or separation; discard anything that looks or smells wrong
6Be cautious of any cough syrup claiming to contain codeine — codeine-containing cough syrups were banned in Nigeria and are illegal to sell

Use our NAFDAC Checker tool

Guaifenesin Price in Nigeria

As of July 2026, Guaifenesin sells for about ₦14,005 online in Nigeria (₦7,500–₦14,950) across HealthPlus and MedPlus. The online price is roughly unchanged since July 2026. Open-market prices (e.g. Idumota, Ogbogwu) are often lower.

Online retail (sampled)

HealthPlus + MedPlus

₦7,500 – ₦14,950median ₦14,005

From 4 listings across HealthPlus + MedPlus — brands and pack sizes vary · updated July 2026.

0%since July 2026

Price trend since July 2026

Median online price ₦14,005 → ₦14,005 (+0.0%) over 2 monthly checks.

Sampled monthly from Nigerian online pharmacies. Full market picture: Nigerian Medicine Price Index.

Where to Buy

Purchase Guaifenesin only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors. Avoid buying medicines from unverified sources, roadside vendors, or unregistered market stalls.

Before you buy, verify the product's NAFDAC registration and check the current online prices above so you know a fair price before you pay.

Buying Guaifenesin in bulk or for resale? Our guide on how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely covers verifying a supplier and spotting fakes before a large order.

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Related Resources for Guaifenesin

Guides, articles, and tools related to Guaifenesin and other cough, cold & flu medicines in Nigeria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

•NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Guaifenesin on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
•British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Guaifenesin.
•Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).

Last updated: 18 July 2026

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