Mucinex D
Generic Name: guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine
Date of Approval: June 22, 2004
Company: Adams Respiratory Therapeutics
What is Mucinex D?
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Feedback for Mucinex D
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- Guaifenesin 600 mg
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth. - Pseudoephedrine HCl 60 mg
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
What is Mucinex D used for?
Mucinex D is used to
- help loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to rid the bronchial passageways of bothersome mucus and make coughs more productive
- temporarily relieve nasal congestion due to:
- common cold
- hay fever
- upper respiratory allergies
- temporarily restore freer breathing through the nose
- promote nasal and/or sinus drainage
- temporarily relieve sinus congestion and pressure
What is the most important information I should know about Mucinex D?
Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Do not use Mucinex D if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take Mucinex D before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. Do not use any other over-the-counter cough or cold medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains a decongestant or expectorant.What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Mucinex D?
Do not use Mucinex D if you are allergic to guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine, or to other decongestants, diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medications. Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Ask a doctor before using Mucinex D if you have
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- thyroid disease
- diabetes
- trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland
- persistent or chronic cough such as occurs with smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema
- cough accompanied by too much phlegm (mucus)
Mucinex D may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Mucinex D. Mucinex D may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Mucinex D without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use Mucinex D?
Use Mucinex D exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use Mucinex D in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Do not crush, chew, or break Mucinex D tablets
Take Mucinex D with a full glass of water
Mucinex D can be administered without regard for timing of meals
Usual dosage for adults and children 12 years and older: two Mucinex D tablets every 12 hours; not more than 4 tablets in 24 hours
Mucinex D should not be given to children under 12 years of age
Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking this medication. Take Mucinex D with food if it upsets your stomach. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time if you have taken a cold medicine within the past few days.
Store Mucinex D at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since cough or cold medicine is usually taken only as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Keep Mucinex D out of reach of children.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of Mucinex D overdose may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and feeling restless or nervous.
What should I avoid while taking Mucinex D?
Mucinex D can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking Mucinex D. Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with a decongestant can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or cough medicine without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine are contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of a certain drug. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains guaifenesin or pseudoephedrine.
Mucinex D (guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
- severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness;
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
- increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure).
Keep taking Mucinex D and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
- dizziness or headache;
- feeling excited or restless;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset;
- mild loss of appetite;
- warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin; or
- skin rash or itching.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Mucinex D?
Before taking Mucinex D, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- methyldopa (Aldomet);
- medicines to treat high blood pressure;
- a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others; or
- antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and others.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Mucinex D, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Mucinex D. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist has information about Mucinex D written for health professionals that you may read.
What does Mucinex D look like?
Mucinex D is a peach and white oval tablet, imprinted with Adams on the peach side, and 600 on the white side.
Other information
Do not use if printed seal on blister is broken or missing
Inactive ingredients carbomer 934P, NF; FD&C yellow #6 aluminum lake; hypromellose, USP; magnesium stearate, NF; microcrystalline cellulose, NF; sodium starch glycolate, NF
For more information, please visit www.mucinex.com
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