Skip to main content

Mucinex DM Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Mucinex DM (dextromethorphan / guaifenesin) Benzonatate Mucinex (guaifenesin)
View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Mucinex DM (dextromethorphan / guaifenesin) Benzonatate Mucinex (guaifenesin)
Prescription and OTC

Prescribed for Expectoration, Cough. Mucinex DM may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Prescription only

Benzonatate relieves a dry cough; however, the capsules must be swallowed whole because the risk of a fatal overdosage is increased if the capsules are opened in any way. Prescribed for Cough... View more

Prescription and OTC

Mucinex is an expectorant that helps thin mucus allowing it to be more easily cleared by coughing. It may also be used off-label to increase fertility in women with hostile mucus as the cause of... View more

More about Mucinex DM (dextromethorphan / guaifenesin) More about Benzonatate More about Mucinex (guaifenesin)
Ratings & Reviews

Mucinex DM has an average rating of 5.3 out of 10 from a total of 22 ratings on Drugs.com. 35% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 45% reported a negative effect.

Benzonatate has an average rating of 4.1 out of 10 from a total of 773 ratings on Drugs.com. 31% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 62% reported a negative effect.

Mucinex has an average rating of 6.2 out of 10 from a total of 154 ratings on Drugs.com. 55% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 34% reported a negative effect.

View all 22 reviews

View all 773 reviews

View all 154 reviews

Drug Class
Side Effects

Mucinex DM side effects

Benzonatate side effects

Mucinex side effects
Generic Availability

N/A

Lower cost generic

N/A
Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance
Quantity 6 tablet, extended release
Strength 30 mg-600 mg
Per Unit* $2.52
Cost* $15.10

View all Mucinex DM prices

Quantity 6 capsule
Strength 100 mg
Per Unit* $2.12
Cost* $12.74

View all Benzonatate prices

Quantity 6 tablet, extended release
Strength 600 mg
Per Unit* $2.27
Cost* $13.60

View all Mucinex prices

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Dosage Forms Available
  • Oral tablet, extended release
  • Oral capsule
  • Oral tablet, extended release
Brand Names
Other dextromethorphan / guaifenesin brands include: Alka-Seltzer Plus Maximum Strength Cough & Chest Congestion PowerFast Fizz, Alka-Seltzer Plus Maximum Strength Cough & Mucus DM, Allfen DM, Altarussin DM, Ambi 1000/55, Amibid DM, Anti-Tuss DM, Aquabid DM, Aquatab DM, Atuss-12 DX, Balminil DM + Expectorant Sugar Free, Benylin Expectorant, Bidex-A, Bidex-DM, Bidex-DMI, Biocotron, Biospec DMX, Broncotron, Brontuss, Chest Congestion Relief DM, Cofex-DM, Congesta DM, Coricidin HBP Chest Congestion & Cough, Coricidin HBP Multi-Symptom Cold (Day), Cough Formula-DM, Creo-Terpin, Delsym Children’s Cough+ Chest Congestion DM, Delsym Cough+ Chest Congestion DM, Dex-Tuss DM, Diabetic Tuss DM, Diabetic Tussin Cough and Chest Congestion DM, Double-Tussin DM, Drituss DM, DuraDEX, DuraDEX Forte, Duraganidin, Duratuss DM, Duratuss DM 12, ExeFen-DM, Extuss LA, Fenesin DM, Fenesin DM IR, Fenex-DM, G Bid DM, G-Tron, G-Zyncof, Gani-Tuss-DM NR, Genatuss DM, GG-DM SR, GG/DM, Giltuss Children's Cough & Chest Congestion, Giltuss Children's Honey Cough & Chest Congestion, Giltuss Diabetic Cough & Cold, Giltuss HBP Cough & Chest Congestion, Giltuss Honey Cough & Chest Congestion, Glycotuss-DM, Guai-Dex, Guaiasorb Cough Medicine, Guaibid DM, Guaifen DM, Guaifen DM NR, Guaifenesin DM, Guaifenesin DM SR, Guaifenex DM, Guiacough DM, Guiadrine DM, Guiadrine DX, Guiat Clear DM, Guiatuss Clear, Guiatuss DM, Guiatussin-DM, HT Tuss DM, Humibid CS, Humibid DM Pediatric, Humigen DM, Hydro-Tuss DM, Mucinex Children's Cough, Mucinex Children's FreeFrom Cough & Mucus, Mucinex Cough & Chest Congestion, Mucinex DM Maximum Strength, Mucinex Fast-Max DM Max, Mucosa DM, Mucus Relief Cough, Mucus Relief DM, Pecgen DMX, PediaCare Cough & Congestion, Phlemex, Refenesen Chest Congestion Relief DM, Robafen DM, Robitussin Children' s Cough & Chest Congestion DM, Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM, Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion DM Maximum Strength, Robitussin Cough + Chest Congestion Sugar-Free DM, Rompe Pecho DM, Safetussin DM, Scot-Tussin Senior, Siltussin DM, Siltussin DM DAS Cough Formula, Siltussin-DM DAS-NA, Siltussin-DM DAS-NA Maximum Strength, Triaminic Cough & Congestion, Tusnel Diabetic, Tussi-Organidin-DM, Tussin DM, Tussin DM Max, Vicks DayQuil Cough & Congestion, Vicks DayQuil Mucus Control DM, Vicks Formula 44 Custom Care Chesty Cough, Vicks Nature Fusion Cough & Chest Congestion, Vicks Pediatric Formula 44e Cough & Chest Congestion Relief, Zyncof View more Tessalon, Tessalon Perles Other guaifenesin brands include: Air Power, Allfen Jr, Altarussin, Altorant, Amibid LA, Anti-Tuss, Aquamist, Balminil Expectorant, Beechams Veno's Expectorant, Beechams Veno's for Kids Chesty Cough, Benadryl Chesty Forte, Benylin E, Bidex-400, Breonesin, Bronchoril, Buckley's Chest Congestion, Calmylin Expectorant, Diabetic Expectorant, Diabetic Tuss, Diabetic Tussin Chest Congestion, Diabetic Tussin Mucus Relief, Dristan Chesty Cough, Dristan Chesty Cough Guaiphenesin, Drituss G, Duratuss G, Family Meltus Chesty Coughs, Fenesin, Fenesin IR, Fenex-LA, G Bid, Ganidin NR, Genatuss, GG 200 NR, GG-Cen, Giltuss Children's EX Expectorant, Giltuss EX Expectorant, Glytuss, Gua-SR, Guaiatussin, Guaibid-LA, Guaifen NR, Guaifenesin LA, Guaifenex G, Guaifenex LA, Guiacough, Guiadrine G-1200, Guiatuss, Help I Have Chest Congestion, Hill's Balsam Chesty Cough, Humavent LA, Humibid, Humibid E, Humibid Pediatric, Humigen LA, Hytuss, Junior Meltus Chesty Coughs with Catarrh, Junior Meltus Colour and Sugar Free Expectorant, Lemsip Cough Chesty, Mucaplex, Mucinex Children's Chest Congestion, Mucinex for Kids, Mucinex Maximum Strength, Mucobid-LA, Organ-1 NR, Refenesen Chest Congestion Relief, Robafen, Robitussin Mucus + Chest Congestion, Rompe Pecho EX, Scot-Tussin Expectorant, Siltuss DAS, Siltussin DAS, Siltussin DAS-NA, TabTussin 400, Tussin Expectorant, Tussin Mucus + Chest Congestion, Xpect View more
Half Life The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

3.6 hours

N/A

1 hour
CSA Schedule ** View glossary of terms
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
Pregnancy Category
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
Drug Interactions

A total of 362 drugs are known to interact with Mucinex DM:

  • 76 major drug interactions (242 brand and generic names)
  • 284 moderate drug interactions (1177 brand and generic names)
  • 2 minor drug interactions (5 brand and generic names)

A total of 1 drugs are known to interact with Benzonatate:

  • 1 moderate drug interactions (2 brand and generic names)

No known drug interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions
  • Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of dextromethorphan such as dizziness... View more

No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Disease Interactions

No known disease interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

No known disease interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
First Approval Date

April 29, 2004

February 10, 1958

July 12, 2002
WADA Class View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.

N/A

N/A

N/A
More Information
Patient resources
Professional Resources
Related Treatment Guide

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Compare Drugs

To view a report comparing 3 (or more) medications, please sign in or create an account.

Create an account Sign In