Mucinex D (Guaifenesin / Pseudoephedrine): Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & More - GoodRx (2024)

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When does Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine) start working?

Time passed since treatment started:

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The following side effects have also been reported

Pros

Cons

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

• 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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Mucinex D (guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine)

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