guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine
Mucinex D is a combination medication containing two active ingredients: guaifenesin (an expectorant) and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant). It's used to help temporarily relieve stuffy nose, chest congestion, and sinus pressure. This medication can be used for people 12 years of age and older. It's an extended-release tablet that's taken by mouth every 12 hours and is also available as a lower-cost generic. Side effects can include trouble sleeping and headache.
What is Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)?
What is Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) used for?
- Short-term relief of stuffy nose due to allergies or the common cold
- Loosens mucus to ease chest congestion
- Sinus congestion and pressure
How Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) works
Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) is a combination of two medications.
- Guaifenesin is an expectorant that loosens mucus in your airways by making it thinner. This makes it easier to cough out mucus and help clear chest congestion.
- Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant, which works to relieve stuffy nose. It makes the blood vessels around your nose more narrow, which eases nasal swelling and pressure. This allows you to breathe more freely and to have better sinus drainage.
Drug facts
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Side effects of Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Trouble sleeping
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- High blood pressure
- Fast heart rate
The following Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart palpitations—rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- Increase in blood pressure
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Anxiety, nervousness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Trouble sleeping
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Pros and cons of Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)
Pros
- Helps with stuffy nose, chest and sinus congestion, and wet cough
- Combines two medications in a single product for convenience
- Available over the counter without a prescription (in most states)
- Doesn't cause drowsiness or sleepiness
Cons
- More difficult to customize the dose since it's a fixed combination of two medications
- Only available as an extended-release tablet, which can't be cut or crushed
- Might not be the best choice for people with certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure
- Not the best choice if you're pregnant or breastfeeding
Pharmacist tips for Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)
- You can take Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) with or without food. Try taking the medication with food to help if it upsets your stomach.
- Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water. Don't crush, break, or chew the tablets since it can change how the medication works.
- You might feel nervous or have trouble sleeping after you take Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine). These can be side effects of the pseudoephedrine in the medication. If this happens, try to avoid taking the medication close to bedtime. Contact your primary care provider if that doesn't help.
- Let your primary care provider know if you have a cough that's caused by cigarette smoke, a cough that's linked to a breathing problem (e.g., asthma, emphysema), or a cough with a lot of mucus. Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) might not be appropriate for you and you might need a different treatment option.
- Stop using Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) and contact your primary care provider if your cough or stuffy nose lasts more than a week or comes back after clearing up. Also tell them if you have a rash, fever, or headache along with your cough or stuffy nose. There might be a more appropriate treatment option for these situations.
- Don't start any new medications while you're taking Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) — especially other guaifenesin or decongestant products — without talking to your primary care provider or pharmacist first. Taking certain medications with Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) can raise your risk for serious side effects, including high blood pressure, fast heart rate, or possibly hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real).
- Don't take Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) if you're taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) like selegiline in the last 2 weeks. This combination can raise your risk for severe side effects, such as dangerously high blood pressure and dizziness. Ask your primary care provider or pharmacist for other options.
- Don't take Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) until you've talked to a healthcare professional if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. It's not clear whether guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine are safe for your unborn baby. There's also a risk that taking pseudoephedrine might lower your milk supply.
- Store Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) up and away and out of children's reach and sight. This prevents them from accidentally swallowing any medication that was left out. Call a Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if you think that your child accidentally swallowed Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine).
Common questions about Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)
Adults and children ages 12 years and older can take Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) every 12 hours when you have a stuffy nose, chest congestion, and a wet (productive) cough. Keep in mind that some guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine combination products can have slightly different directions. Follow the directions written on the package for the product you have, or follow any specific instructions that your primary care provider gave you. Ask your primary care provider or pharmacist if you're not sure how often you should take this medication.
No, guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine (the ingredients in Mucinex D) don't typically cause sleepiness as a side effect. In fact, pseudoephedrine can potentially keep you awake at night if you take it too close to bedtime.
You can take Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) at night. But keep in mind that the medication contains pseudoephedrine, which can potentially keep you awake. If you're having trouble going or staying asleep, try to avoid taking Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) in the evening or within a few hours of bedtime.
Yes, you can take loratadine (Claritin) with Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) if you have other allergy symptoms like runny nose, itchy nose, or itchy or watery eyes. Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) and loratadine (Claritin) work differently in the body to treat different symptoms of the common cold or allergies; the two medications don't appear to interact with each other.
The main difference between Mucinex, Mucinex D, and Mucinex DM is the active ingredients in each brand name. Mucinex contains guaifenesin only and is used for people with chest congestion due to mucus buildup. Mucinex D contains guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine, which helps with chest congestion as well as nasal and sinus congestion and a wet (productive) cough. Finally, Mucinex DM contains guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, which helps with chest congestion and lowering the urge to cough when you have a dry cough. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure which Mucinex product is right for the symptoms you have.
Yes, it's generally safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) with Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) if you're in pain. But these pain relievers can also have risks that you should consider. These risks can include liver problems with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and heart and kidney problems with ibuprofen (Advil). Before you use any pain relievers with Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine), speak with your primary care provider or pharmacist to make sure it's safe for you to do so.
Yes. You can typically find Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) at the pharmacy counter (also called behind the counter). You won't need a prescription for it, but you'll need to show photo identification and sign when you buy the medication. Ask your pharmacist where to find Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) in the pharmacy.
Though not all, certain states might consider Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) a controlled substance and have put strict regulations on the medication. This is because the pseudoephedrine in Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) has the potential to be misused. Keep in mind that state laws change from time to time. So, it's best to ask your primary care provider or pharmacist whether Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) is a controlled substance in your state and how to safely take the medication.
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Risks and warnings for Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)
Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Worsening of certain medical conditions
- Risk factors: Long-term cough or cough with too much mucus | Cough from smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema | Heart disease or high blood pressure | Thyroid problems | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Urinary conditions
Tell your primary care provider (PCP) about all your medical conditions that you have before you start Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine). It's possible for this medication to worsen your medical condition(s) and cause serious side effects. Or the medication might not be appropriate for you based on your medical condition(s). Your PCP can check that Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) is appropriate and safe for you to take.
Accidentally taking too much medication
- Risk factors: Taking with other similar medications
Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) contains an expectorant (guaifenesin) and a decongestant (pseudoephedrine). These ingredients can be found in many other over-the-counter products.
Using more than one product containing the same (or similar) ingredients as Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) raises the risk that you might accidentally take too much of a particular ingredient. This can be harmful. For example, taking too much pseudoephedrine can cause headache, anxiety, ringing in the ears, blurry vision, chest pain, fast heart rate, changes in blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting.
Ask your PCP or pharmacist if you're not sure whether you're taking a medication with any of the ingredients in Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine). Carefully read and follow the product instructions on the package. Call a Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if you think that you or your child accidentally took too much medication (even if you aren't completely sure).
Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200mg/120mg | 24 tablets | $9.98 | $0.42 |
| 600mg/60mg | 20 tablets | $7.39 | $0.37 |
| 400mg/40mg | 30 tablets | $4.14 | $0.14 |
Typical dosage for Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)
Note: Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine combination tablets are made by several manufacturers. Some products might differ in dosage and directions. Read the product label or ask your pharmacist for directions specific to your medication.
-
Mucinex D (guaifenesin 600 mg / pseudoephedrine 60 mg):
- Ages 12 years and older: The typical dose is 2 tablets by mouth every 12 hours. Don't take more than 4 tablets in a 24-hour period.
- Ages under 12 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.
-
Mucinex D Maximum Strength (guaifenesin 1,200 mg / pseudoephedrine 120 mg):
- Ages 12 years and older: The typical dose is 1 tablet by mouth every 12 hours. Don't take more than 2 tablets in a 24-hour period.
- Ages under 12 years old: Ask your child's pediatrician.
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Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently take or have taken an monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 2 weeks
What are alternatives to Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)?
Short-term relief of symptoms from the common cold or allergies:
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