Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2017

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "Had congestion for 3 weeks. Doctor gave me antibiotics and suggested Mucinex D twice a day. The first two days seemed to help congestion somewhat, but I had no appetite and was somewhat anxious. The third night, I took it at 11 p.m. and slept about 2 hours. Woke up with my heart racing and anxiety. I couldn't sleep and was pacing. Effects started to wear off at 10 a.m. Wish I had seen this site first."

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

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine 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."

• goo...
• April 20, 2012

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "My PCP suggested I take this to help with severe congestion. I took 3 doses of the 12 hours (max strength) at the prescribed intervals. Basically, one that afternoon, then one the next morning, and one that evening. That night, I could not sleep. I have never had problems sleeping and usually could find some way to read for a bit or do a relaxation exercise in the event it took longer than normal. I'm normally asleep by 10 or 11. It's now 4 am, I am not one bit sleepy, and I have to get up for work in 2 hours. Should be an interesting day."

• Joy...
• December 31, 2012

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine 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."

• Hel...
• March 31, 2016

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine 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
• March 23, 2010

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "This medication cleared my completely congested nose in about an hour. I could breathe perfectly clearly through both nostrils! However, as others have mentioned, it made my heart race, and when I was exercising later that night, I felt lightheaded and had to quit early. I also couldn't sleep that night. My heart was feeling very fluttery, and I was wide awake in bed."

• J20...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2019

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "After being diagnosed with bronchitis, I took the prescribed dose of 1200 mg at 11:30 am. It’s now 3:07 am the next day, and I am still not able to go to sleep! Thank God I did not take it every 12 hours as recommended, I would be going crazy like the other reviews! So nervous about if I will be falling asleep at work or still wide awake in a few hours. No rest in sight. I guess it is the pseudoephedrine in it that is keeping me awake."

• K-R...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2019

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "I’ve been taking Mucinex D for years. 2 a day—1 in the am and 1 in the pm. It was always effective for those stubborn wet coughs, helping me produce phlegm. Until fast forward, in my 30s, post 2 kids and sleep doesn’t come so naturally anymore. I had no idea insomnia was a side effect until about 4 doses in this time. I slept 11-12 am, then woke up at 2:30 am and was WIDE awake and frustrated until 6 am, in which I slept from 6-8 am. Still not realizing it was from the Mucinex D, I took more at 8 am. By 7 pm, while trying to close my eyes and rest, my eyeballs popped back open, when suddenly I realized, “What if...” Sure enough, it was the Mucinex D causing me to be ridiculously tired but unable to sleep. It is the pseudoephedrine ingredient, which is a stimulant. Unfortunately, this side effect does not outweigh the benefits for me. So I’ll be drinking as much water as possible for the next 3 hours before bedtime and hoping for the best tonight. Maybe I should try the Mucinex plain and see how that goes."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2011

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "I have severe sinus problems all year long, but worse in the fall. The pressure pain is almost unbearable. My doctor has prescribed everything under the sun to help relieve the symptoms, and nothing works better than Mucinex D. I never have any drainage with my sinuses... just the pain/pressure, and I can get almost immediate relief after I take 1 bi-layer tablet (1200 mg guaifenesin and 120 mg pseudoephedrine). The medicine says it has an immediate release layer that works quickly, and it does. Then it has an extended release layer that works over the next few hours. I also have the side effect of insomnia, but it's so worth it to relieve that sinus pressure (those of you who have it know what I'm talking about!)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2012

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "This definitely works to clear up nasal congestion, but I took it at 5:30 pm and was up all night. I haven't been able to sleep at all. It's now 4:30 am, and I'm still wide awake. I have to go to work, so I will be taking another dose in an hour to keep me up. I will not take a second dose later today so I can sleep, but I look forward to being able to breathe while I'm at work, so still worth taking the medicine."

• sle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2019

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "I agree with so many that have left a review here! I do feel it helps with my cough and congestion, but I agree with the feeling of anxiety, heart racing, and most definitely sleepless nights (which is due to the pseudoephedrine in it)! I need my sleep. I may just take it in the AM or just not take it anymore. Not to mention it is very expensive for OTC (behind the pharmacy) medicine. My prescriptions with my insurance are way less than this!"

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2022

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "I will never take this again, ever. While it did clear my sinuses and gave me that kind of relief, it kept me up all night long, and not just insomnia, but feelings of anxiety as well. I wouldn't even risk taking this during the day, so severe were the side effects. I'm going to stick to my Alka-Seltzer Cold and Flu and my NyQuil. Seriously, do not take this."

• Anonymous
• October 14, 2009

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "This worked on my sinuses, however, my heart rate increases so much that I feel jittery. The insomnia is a setback. The relief is great, but I'm not sure the things that go with it are worth it. Although my heart rate being up made me lose weight."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2011

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "I took one Mucinex DM at 11 am, and coughing and mucus flow was reduced significantly, although accompanied by dry mouth. Yesterday at noon, I would have given it 10/10. However, I took one capsule at 8 pm and had severe insomnia and could not fall asleep until 8 the next morning."

• Sin...
• February 3, 2012

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "Mucinex D works wonders for congestion and coughs. I took this in the evening around 9:00, though, and it's now 6:00 in the morning, and I have not slept a wink. I would recommend taking this as early as possible."

• Jon...
• February 1, 2018

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "Mucinex D does its job well, but the side effects are ridiculous. I've been sleep-deprived for 2 days because of this drug, and so I stopped taking it. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG WITHIN 12 HOURS BEFORE YOU SLEEP!"

• Nov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2018

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "Well, since I’m writing this at 4:36 am, then you will know why. I took the first pill at 4 pm when I bought it. I haven’t noticed much difference in my cough or mucus, but I CAN NOT SLEEP. I'm not even close to tired. My kids will be waking up in a few hours. How in the world will I function through tomorrow? Never, ever again. I do not recommend the pseudoephedrine keeps you awake. Your body does its best healing while you’re sleeping. Well...."

• Sle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2019

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "Was suffering from the flu, fever broke, and was feeling somewhat better, this was 5 am. I still had heavy chest congestion but powered through most of the day. At 4:30 pm the same day, I decided to take Mucinex (the one that has the pseudoephedrine in it) to help the congestion. Well, now it's 5 am the following day and I have not slept at all, awake for 24 hours and cannot fall asleep, this is horrible."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2011

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "I suffer from bad sinus headaches during allergy season. Mucinex seems to work great, as far as relieving the pressure and headache. The only things I experienced were insomnia and diarrhea. I guess it is better than suffering from the headaches."

• sim...
• January 6, 2012

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "I have had major nasal congestion for over the past three weeks, and finally, after not being able to take it anymore, I found a local store to find some medicine. I spoke to the pharmacist who informed me about Mucinex D. I have been taking the two pills like clockwork over the last 3 days, with no relief. I have not experienced an increase in heart rate, nor have I experienced insomnia, but my nasal congestion is STILL here. Will have to schedule a doctor's visit for something that actually will work for me."

• col...
• March 11, 2009

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "I used this medication and had none of the insomnia or restlessness. I had the exact opposite reaction. I had been dealing with a sinus cold and was getting headaches from them. After using over-the-counter medication to combat the headaches, I went to the doctor who prescribed Mucinex D because he said it was much more powerful. Long story short, I couldn't make it through a day of work without sleeping. I at first related it to the cold, but when I halved my dosage, I was still tired but not to the point of exhaustion when I took two pills. As of now, my pills are gone and I don't feel tired in the least. Insomnia I can handle, falling asleep on the job I can't."

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2022

For Cough and Nasal Congestion "The reason it's causing insomnia for so many people is from the pseudoephedrine... that's what they use to make meth, also why you can only buy a limited amount at one time. It's usually locked up behind the counter in most drug stores and pharmacies. Instead, try guaifenesin alone at its lowest dosage... it works wonders for fibromyalgia patients as well."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2024

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "Helps with nasal congestion so I can breathe. The problem is it also keeps me awake. I may as well be on speed. No jitters or heart racing, but it definitely keeps me wide awake for the full 12 hours. Not sure what to do, this is one of the few medicines that works to relieve bad nasal congestion. Bad nasal congestion keeps me up at night, but so does this. My choice is to either be awake with stuffiness or awake due to the medicine. A catch-22 if there ever was one. It's very effective, but the side effect is a downside - particularly when you're sick and need sleep. 9 for effectiveness and I subtract 1 for the side effect. Would give it a 10 if it worked as well as it does without keeping me awake."

• Iro...
• February 7, 2017

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "Took Mucinex D for 7 days, have had trouble sleeping, but it worked awesome for my cough and congestion. I was told by the doctor I had influenza, which is no fun at all. Thought I was dying, never been so sick."

• Min...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2019

Guaifenesin / pseudoephedrine for Cough and Nasal Congestion "I took Mucinex ER to break up my chest congestion, which it did nothing for. What it did was give me insomnia (the pseudoephedrine does this to you). I am so wired that I have severe agitation, anxiety, and I didn't sleep a wink all night. It's the next morning, and I still can't sleep! I cannot afford to miss all this sleep. Also, it has caused excess saliva, which I have to continually spit out, it is so copious. If I could sleep, I would be choking on my own spit! This is the worst medication I have ever taken, and like an idiot, I got the extended release-12 hours in my system. I know it works for some, but please think twice about taking this awful stuff."