Mucinex D vs. Mucinex DM: 5 Differences Between These 2 Cough and Cold Medications
Key takeaways:
Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) and Mucinex DM (guaifenesin / dextromethorphan) are two over-the-counter cough and cold medications. Mucinex D is kept behind the pharmacy counter, while Mucinex DM is kept out on the floor with other cold products.
Mucinex D is better for a stuffy nose and chest congestion. But it’s not recommended for children under 12 or people with high blood pressure. Mucinex D comes as oral tablets.
Mucinex DM is better for quieting a cough. It’s safer for people with high blood pressure. Mucinex DM also comes in several formulations, including an oral cough syrup.
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Table of contents
In the cough and cold aisle of many pharmacies, there are quite a few products to choose from. Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) and Mucinex DM (guaifenesin / dextromethorphan) are two of the more popular cough medications available. Their names sound similar, but they contain different ingredients and treat different symptoms of the common cold.
Sometimes it’s hard trying to decide which over-the-counter (OTC) cough medication is the right one for you. Below, we’ll go over five notable differences between Mucinex D and Mucinex DM, so you can choose the best product for your cold symptoms.
1. Mucinex D helps with nasal congestion, while Mucinex DM helps quiet a cough
Mucinex D and Mucinex DM both contain guaifenesin. It’s an expectorant that helps relieve chest and nasal congestion by thinning and loosening mucus in your airways. This makes it easier to swallow or cough up mucus (phlegm) to clear your airways. It may sound like this means that Mucinex makes you cough more. But thick, sticky mucus is actually what triggers a wet cough. Thinner mucus is easier for your body to clear on its own, so you’ll cough less the thinner your mucus is.
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Where Mucinex D and Mucinex DM differ is the ingredient they contain along with guaifenesin. The “D” in Mucinex D stands for decongestant, in this case pseudoephedrine. The “DM” in Mucinex DM stands for dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant.
Pseudoephedrine works by tightening the blood vessels in and around your nasal passages. This eases sinus pressure and congestion. Mucinex D may be a better choice if you have chest congestion and a stuffy nose.
Dextromethorphan works by slowing down your brain’s cough reflex. It helps treat both dry and wet coughs. So Mucinex DM may be a better option if you’re looking for something to help quiet a cough.
Good to know: Mucinex is also sold on its own, without the D or DM in the name. This form of Mucinex contains only guaifenesin.
2. Mucinex DM is safer if you have high blood pressure
If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), Mucinex DM is a safer choice for cold symptoms than Mucinex D.
The active ingredients in Mucinex DM shouldn’t affect your blood pressure. Mucinex D, on the other hand, can raise your blood pressure because it contains pseudoephedrine. As mentioned, pseudoephedrine tightens blood vessels, which may cause your blood pressure to go up.
If you have high blood pressure, talk to your healthcare team before taking Mucinex D. They can recommend a different cold medication that can help with your symptoms without affecting your blood pressure. Mucinex DM may be one alternative.
3. Mucinex DM offers more dosage forms
Mucinex DM is available in more dosage forms than Mucinex D.
Cough home remedies: Learn more about home treatments that can help soothe a dry cough and dry up a wet cough.
Dealing with a nagging cough? Sometimes a cough lingers and won’t go away. Explore causes of and treatments for a persistent cough.
Seeking medical care: Should you see a healthcare professional for that cough? Knowing when to seek treatment can help you avoid more serious health issues.
Mucinex DM comes as an oral tablet and a cough syrup. If you have trouble swallowing pills, the cough syrup may be a good option. Mucinex Cough & Chest Congestion liquid-filled capsules are another available dosage form. It contains the same ingredients as Mucinex DM but doesn’t say “Mucinex DM” on the package.
Mucinex D comes only as an oral tablet. This could be a problem if you have trouble swallowing pills.
4. Mucinex D isn’t recommended for children under 12
Mucinex D’s OTC label provides dosage information only for adolescents age 12 and older. This is because it contains a higher dose than what’s considered safe for kids younger than 12 years old.
Products that say “Mucinex DM” on the package also aren’t safe for children under 12. But the Mucinex brand offers similar kid-friendly options. Of note, Mucinex Children’s Cough Mini-Melts are approved for children as young as 4 years old. They contain guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, just like Mucinex DM, even though this product doesn’t say “Mucinex DM” on the package.
5. Mucinex D is kept behind the pharmacy counter
Even though Mucinex DM and Mucinex D are both available without a prescription, Mucinex D is kept behind the pharmacy counter. This is because pseudoephedrine carries a risk for misuse and is often used in the production of illegal methamphetamine.
To help prevent misuse, products containing pseudoephedrine are kept behind the pharmacy counter. There are restrictions limiting how much you can buy per day and per month. You’re also required to present a state or federal photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
States may have additional requirements or limitations for buying products that contain pseudoephedrine. Your pharmacist can explain the laws for your location in more detail.
Good to know: Mucinex offers another product for nasal congestion called Mucinex Sinus-Max that isn’t kept behind the pharmacy counter. It contains acetaminophen (a pain reliever), guaifenesin, and phenylephrine (a decongestant). But phenylephrine isn’t considered an effective decongestant, so this product won’t work as well as Mucinex D.
The bottom line
Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) and Mucinex DM (guaifenesin / dextromethorphan) are two popular over-the-counter cough and cold medications. Both can help with chest and nasal congestion. Mucinex D also relieves nasal congestion, while Mucinex DM can help quiet a cough.
Mucinex DM is safer if you have high blood pressure. It also comes in more dosage forms than Mucinex D. Neither medication requires a prescription to purchase. But Mucinex D is kept behind the pharmacy counter, while Mucinex DM is out on the shelf with other cough and cold products.
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References
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