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Mucinex and Cough: What Users Say

Cough: mentioned by 10 users (6.5%)

Based on user experiences from 155 Mucinex reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

cough 6.5%
nausea 5.8%
drowsiness 5.2%
diarrhea 3.9%
dizziness 3.2%
vomiting 3.2%
headaches 2.6%
insomnia 2.6%
pain 2.6%
mucus 1.9%

Reviews for Mucinex

Showing 10 reviews tagged with "cough". Clear filters to view all 155 reviews.
Commonly mentioned side effects
  • VAm...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 5, 2020

For Bronchitis "I get asthma 'colds' that turn into bronchitis once a year. I find Mucinex 'keeps the elephant off my chest.' And, you’ll know what that means if you’ve had bronchitis! I will take Mucinex in the morning and feel fine most of the day, thinking I’m getting past the infection. Then WHAM! Elephant...on...chest!! Cough, cough... Mucinex may not work for everyone, but it sure helps me breathe deeper and easier!!"

10 / 10
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59 Report
  • Liz...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 27, 2018

For Bronchitis "I have used it twice now. And it feels like it makes me worse. I cough so hard that my back and my stomach are now hurting. My cough is so deep, and nothing is coming up. It just makes me cough non-stop. However, I'm not taking any today, I'm also not coughing, so I put the two together. When you take it, it makes you cough, unfortunately, in my case, nothing came up."

2 / 10
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69 Report
  • Bar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 28, 2019

For Bronchitis "I have moderate COPD. Got some kind of crud (I call it) in my chest and was coughing and so sick. Couldn't cough up anything but knew it was there. Took regular Mucinex generic label. Felt like I was drowning. Post-nasal drip putting fluid in my lungs, and I was drowning. Please go to the doctor if this sounds like you - it turned out I had community-acquired pneumonia."

1 / 10
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31 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Mel...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 20, 2020

For Bronchitis "I began a cough 4 weeks ago. Then the mucus started. Couldn't get it up. Pharmacy suggested Robitussin, which worked okay, but still needed stronger meds. Dr. put me on steroids and antibiotics. Still mucus choking me. Tried Mucinex 600. Nothing. Made me worse. The coughing started and was horrible for about an hour. I stopped using Mucinex and went back to Robitussin. This drug is not for everyone. Would not recommend."

1 / 10
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23 Report
  • Han...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 12, 2020

For Cough "This has to be the worst cough medicine ever, it actually made my cough worse. Switched to Robitussin and immediately noticed the difference in relief. I'm not one to review, but this one needed to go down in the books. Don't take Mucinex..."

1 / 10
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13 Report

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  • Nis...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 2, 2022

For Bronchitis "First, this is not the medicine if you have bronchitis, this condition is the excessive coughing that will make your chest hurt without medicine. Taking guaifenesin, which is the ingredient that loosens phlegm & makes you cough MORE. Bronchitis does NOT need this kind of help, you are coughing as a result of bronchitis. Taking guaifenesin will make you cough up bits of lung tissue along with any phlegm. If your phlegm has red in it - STOP taking this stuff & go see a doctor - you may need to go on antibiotics especially if your bronchitis has not improved after 3 weeks. Take it from me, I waited until 5 weeks & my doc said, 'WHY DIDN'T YOU COME IN SOONER?' I said I thought it would go away, but it didn't. The doc said - lucky I came in when I did, 'cause if I had gone longer - it may have turned into rheumatic fever, which is very dangerous left untreated. Normal phlegm, it's fine for, but if it makes you cough so much you are having your lunch come up - it's too potent, and you need to see a doctor!"

1 / 10
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6 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 31, 2011

For Cough "I took one tablet 12 hours ago and have been feeling very sick ever since. My nose is running, coughing, and feeling terrible, as if I had a bad cold. Not taking any more!"

1 / 10
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27 Report

More FAQ

  • Bon...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 8, 2018

For Cough "I am coughing up all kinds of mucus, and I want to sleep... that's not going to happen. Wish I never took it."

5 / 10
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17 Report
  • Nui...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 30, 2022

For Bronchitis "It is working very well, but make absolutely sure you drink plenty of water. Without the water, you will likely have a dry cough yielding no phlegm --- not good!!"

8 / 10
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5 Report
  • Mad...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 7, 2023

For Cough "I just tried the Mucinex pill (12 hours) for the second time. Both times, it made me cough more and harder. The coughing is now painful and less productive. I am throwing it away."

1 / 10
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2 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.