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Mucinex: 7 things you should know

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on April 11, 2023.

1. How it works

2. Upsides

3. Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. View complete list of side effects

4. Bottom Line

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 their infertility. Side effects are few; however, anecdotally, sleeplessness may be a problem if Mucinex is taken late in the afternoon.

5. Tips

6. Response and effectiveness

7. Interactions

Medicines that interact with Mucinex may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with Mucinex. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.

Common medications that may interact with Mucinex include:

Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with Mucinex. You should refer to the prescribing information for Mucinex for a complete list of interactions.

References

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Mucinex only for the indication prescribed.

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

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