Mucinex D and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Sol...
• February 18, 2014

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "It's 2:30 AM and I'm wide awake! At the suggestion of my doctor, she said to take Mucinex D ... BIG MISTAKE! I'm definitely breathing perfectly, but I'm jittery and unable to sleep! Mucinex D in the morning, Sinex at night!"

• Jmi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2014

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "I've been plugged up literally for years and had found no relief until now. I had tried everything from frequently rinsing my sinuses with a neti pot system to prescriptions such as Nasonex, warm/moist heating pads, other over-the-counter medicines, etc. At this moment, I feel pretty great. I took my first Mucinex D tab yesterday late afternoon and my second one this morning. My nose feels completely clear, the pressure behind my eyes is gone, my head feels normal for once... even my ears feel less plugged and are not clicking and popping nearly as much as usual. I'm surprised I have not had the insomnia and jitters that it seems most others have experienced. No unpleasant side effects so far. I highly recommend this! The relief is worth the $$."

• Anonymous
• May 24, 2010

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "Took one pill before bed (about 8 pm) and was up, literally all night. Fell asleep the next morning at 9 am. The pill worked great on my sinuses, but I should have taken it in the morning. The packaging does not detail this side effect very well."

• Gal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2014

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "I'm having very severe nasal congestion from a cold. My normal DayQuil/NyQuil were not helping at all. Tried Sudafed, also did not help. Went to the chemist in search of powerful medication and got the highest dosage of Mucinex D at the pharmacist's recommendation. Was warned about possible insomnia, so I took 1 pill at 5 PM thinking it's still more than 5 hours to bedtime and I should be fine. Well, the congestion was gone. But I was up for the next 28 hours straight. The congestion returned after about 15 hours, which makes me think the medicine's effect must have worn off and I can take a nap. But no. After being up for 28 hours, I decided that if I'm not getting any rest, I may never get over my cold, so I took a sleeping pill."

• k8f...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2015

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "Started taking this a week ago because of terrible congestion in my head and chest along with RX Tessalon Perles. I'd taken something years before with the same ingredients as Mucinex that helped immensely and thought that the money was worth it. I've been on it a week, every twelve hours, and haven't been able to sleep more than five hours a night (about 4 a.m. after taking it at midnight until 9 a.m.). I still have terrible congestion with heavy thick mucus. Just finally realized about thirty minutes ago that the Mucinex is the only change. I can't rest, and with the added jitters and insomnia, I feel worse than before. I wish I hadn't taken it to begin with."

• kfr...
• September 17, 2013

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "I have to say, I wish I had read this blog beforehand. I took a Mucinex D at 7 PM last night, and it's 9:30 AM. I haven't really gone to sleep. I tried to fall asleep around 11 PM, and after 2 1/2 hours of tossing and turning and CRAZY dreams where I wasn't really asleep but wasn't completely awake either, I got up and watched some TV to get my mind to settle down. Needless to say, I was never tired after that, so I've been up since. I noticed several people saying that you should only take one pill. The back of my box says to take 2 pills every 12 hours, so I'm assuming there are two different types. Just beware... not only did it give me insomnia, but the dreams were seriously weird."

• Mic...
• November 21, 2008

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "Twice this year, I have had a cold and used this product. Both times, I took the two pills. It cleared my head, but it left me feeling restless, and I suffered from insomnia. I will try 1 pill the next time to see how I react. Maybe 2 pills are too much medicine for me."

• Tir...
• January 10, 2014

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "I have not slept in 2 nights. It's 4 AM and I'm wide awake. I'm so glad I found this website because I thought there might be something wrong with me. Would have never thought Mucinex was the culprit! Although it has definitely cleared up all my congestion."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2013

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "I caught the flu last week, and after 4 days of congestion to the point I thought my head would explode, I took some double-strength Mucinex. The pharmacist told me it was as strong as 12 cough syrups and to take it before I went to bed that very night, but after coming here first and reading reviews which claim insomnia, I decided to take it the next morning. Wow! I can breathe out of my nose, and I'm definitely feeling a lot better. The only problem is that it seems to have some sort of peppy ingredient in it that dries you out quickly if you're not actively drinking through the day. Still, a million times better than Lemsip!"

• yaw...
• January 16, 2014

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "Bad case of bronchitis and sinus pressure. I took Mucinex DM, 1 pill every 12 hours, for a week. I would fall asleep fine but wake up 3-4 hours later and could not get back to sleep. I ran out of DM, and for the last few days took the Mucinex D instead. Not much sleep the first night, NO sleep at all last night combined with a lot of post-nasal drip and the jitters. So glad I finally figured it out, as I'm a walking zombie right now. I will never take Mucinex D past the morning hours again."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2019

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "I was diagnosed with pneumonia. My doc gave me antibiotics but also told me to take Mucinex D twice a day with the antibiotics. Well, I took my first dose at 8 PM, it's currently 11:30 PM, and I'm wide awake. All I want is sleep and I can't, my cough has subsided with random coughs here and there, and my congestion is better... but I need sleep to get better. I don't plan to take this tomorrow night.... ughhh... I'm miserable. The pseudoephedrine is the ingredient that keeps you awake."

• Eva...
• April 29, 2016

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "Mucinex D worked great to clear up my chest congestion that two rounds of antibiotics didn't touch. But I didn't know that a side effect was insomnia. So, although I started feeling better soon after taking it last night, I was well aware of how good I was feeling right on up to 3 AM! I asked the pharmacist at our local store if Mucinex D could have caused the insomnia, and she said yes, and not to take it at night."

• VAC...
• January 22, 2015

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "Great for congestion, but I haven't slept for several days. I even stopped the second dose and took the pill at 7 a.m., fell asleep normally, but wide awake by 2 a.m. Fourth night like this, but I am hoping to avoid sinusitis by taking this."

• Sle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2016

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "First time ever taking Mucinex D! Took two pills as directed, and it did clear some sinus pressure during the day. Following directions 12 hours later and took my two pills dose at 10 PM. I've been clear in my sinus, but tossing and turning all night! It is now 2:05 AM! Insomnia was a side effect, so did not read about it until now, since I can't sleep! So, yes, Mucinex D does work, just do not take it at night as directed. Unless you need to be awake while others sleep, in which case, this will definitely keep you up, all alert!"

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2018

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "This drug works wonders. Clears me right up and loosens my mucus so that I’m feeling myself by the end of the week and back to normal instead of feeling the absolute same (if not worse) and trying to book a last minute appointment with my physician. For any of you who expect to feel normal in just a few short hours and want to sleep like a baby after taking it at 9 PM, you’re being unrealistic. Read up on the drugs you take before putting them into your body - the pseudoephedrine will keep you awake, so take it in the morning."

• Hin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2019

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "Do not take this at all unless you want to be up and feeling like you are never, ever going to sleep again. I was taking DayQuil until my very smart girlfriend offered me a Mucinex in the middle of the night. Never, ever take this or any other med containing pseudoephedrine. Whatever you are going through is not worth the anxiety and insomnia. I also threw up as well, which tasted exactly like the Mucinex."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2012

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "I developed a serious cold with immense pressure from my sinuses on my eyes and head. The first day at 7 a.m., I took two Mucinex-D (clears nasal/sinus congestion, thins and loosens mucus) in the morning, and sure enough, within hours my nasal passages cleared, and there was a constant flow of mucus throughout the day. I was sneezing all through the day. Again, I took two at 7 p.m. in the evening, same result. I slept for maybe 3 hours and then was up all night until 6 a.m. All night, I was constantly blowing my nose and sneezing. The next morning, I took two. Maybe tonight I will not take any. The only discomfort I notice is my left nostril that is the one most clogged, it is constantly itchy, like I want to sneeze all the time, and of course, the insomnia."

• Ama...
• December 1, 2012

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "Love this. When I get a sinus infection, it's very stubborn, and having been given antibiotics way too often all my life, they don't really work anymore. I try to tough it out usually, but when it gets so bad that I'm reaching for my Afrin multiple times a day (a blessing and a curse as it works almost instantly, but causes rebound congestion), I head out and grab some Mucinex D. My doctor warned me about the insomnia the first time she recommended it, so I knew what to expect, but honestly, it's worth it to me to be able to breathe. My ears usually feel even more clogged up at first when taking this stuff, but that clears up after the first 24 hours, and I'll take that over the facial pain from sinus pressure."

• Bro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2016

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "After having a sinus infection for three days, I went to the immediate care center, they recommended Mucinex D and a saline nasal wash. I felt relief from the two combined methods that I started that morning. However, after taking the second dose of Mucinex D that night, I found that I only had a couple of hours of interrupted sleep. Now, on my second night, while the congestion is much better, I am still not sleepy - even after hardly sleeping the night before. I checked the Internet and found this site, apparently, this is not uncommon. Tomorrow, I will only use it during the day and rely on the saline nasal wash more."

• Liz...
• September 9, 2016

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "I tend to get a sinus infection at least twice a year. The only thing that helps me during this time is Mucinex D. However, after the first time taking it and not being able to sleep, I decided to take one pill every 6 hours instead of 2 pills every 12. Taking it this way allows me to breathe and still be able to sleep at night. For me, it is a miracle worker."

• Joe...
• March 1, 2009

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "I had sinus congestion and consequently serious pain under my eyes in the sinus area accompanied by confusion and inability to think clearly. After one Mucinex D tablet, the pain was gone. I suffered from mild insomnia that night, but I'd rather have the insomnia than the pain. I also had less ear pressure/pain during descent in an airplane after taking this drug. Another benefit for me. Thanks, Mucinex."

• Joy...
• December 31, 2012

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "This worked well for me. I had what felt like a pretty bad cold... headache, nasal and chest congestion, and a generally run-down feeling. Stayed in bed the first day, and on the second, I took the prescribed dose of Mucinex D - 2 tablets at 7:30 PM. I didn't experience the insomnia others spoke of, but maybe my perspective is different because I KNOW that if I hadn't taken it, I'd be up blowing my nose and coughing all night. Yes, I did wake up a few times more than usual, but I wasn't miserable when I did."

• Kur...
• November 15, 2016

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "Took first dose at 8:30 a.m. and went to work. Definitely cleared me up, so, as directed, took another dose at 12 hours (8:30 p.m.) and went to bed feeling tired. As the medication took effect, I became restless and tossed and turned and found myself unable to sleep. 1:30 a.m. and I'm learning of my mistake. Packaging should definitely be updated to disclose this fact. Works great to clear sinuses, but I won't take it again at night due to the side effect of insomnia."

• Hel...
• March 31, 2016

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "It dehydrates you like crazy, and I could not drink enough liquids. My throat got so dry it caused me to cough uncontrollably. For the past 3 nights, I could not sleep... Even took 10 mg of Ambien, which usually knocks me out cold... But it didn't work. I just found this site and learned that my insomnia is caused by Mucinex D. Not worth the lack of sleep!"

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2010

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "I am definitely feeling better as far as not being congested goes. However, I am writing this at 4:52 AM because I have not been able to sleep all night long. I took the medicine at about 8 PM, so I probably won't be doing that again."