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10/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/01/2024 14:48

Does Mucinex Work for Cold and Flu Relief

Key takeaways:

  • Mucinex is a collection of over-the-counter (OTC) medications for cough, cold, and flu symptoms. The main ingredient, guaifenesin, helps loosen and thin mucus in your airways so it's easier to cough up.

  • There's not much evidence to support OTC cough medications like guaifenesin. But some people taking it may notice a benefit.

  • There are several combination Mucinex products available for multi-symptom relief. Mucinex DM and Mucinex Fast-Max Cold & Flu are a few examples.

  • OTC cough medications are meant for short-term use. Contact a healthcare professional if your cough lasts longer than 7 days, or if it's accompanied by fever, headache, or other symptoms that won't go away.

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You're likely familiar with the telltale signs that you're coming down with a bug. A runny or stuffy nose, and maybe a fever and sore throat, too.

If mucus starts building up in your chest, you may be looking for ways to get it out. In this case, one common over-the-counter (OTC) product you might reach for is guaifenesin. Guaifenesin is most commonly known by one of its brand names, Mucinex. Or, you may choose other Mucinex products, like Mucinex DM or Mucinex Fast-Max Cold & Flu, to help target more of your symptoms.

But does Mucinex actually work for cold and flu symptoms? The short answer: Not really.

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What is Mucinex?

Mucinex is the brand name for a line of OTC medications sold for cough, cold, and flu symptoms. These medications come in many forms, including:

  • Oral tablets, caplets, and liquid gels

  • Oral liquids

  • Granules

  • Nasal spray

  • Throat spray

  • Lozenges

Mucinex products may be marketed differently for nighttime and daytime use. Some products help treat a single symptom, such as cough. Others contain multiple ingredients that target several symptoms, including sore throat, congestion, and headache.

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Most Mucinex products are intended for adults. But some can be taken by children. Certain formulations are made to be fast-acting, while others are made for slow release.

So, is Mucinex a decongestant, a cough suppressant, or something else? The answer depends on which product you're taking and the ingredients it contains.

What are the ingredients in Mucinex?

The main active ingredient in most Mucinex products is guaifenesin. Guaifenesin belongs to a class of medications known as expectorants. But other ingredients may also be found in Mucinex products. These ingredients belong to other classes of medications. They include:

What does Mucinex do?

The guaifenesin in Mucinex helps loosen and thin mucus in your airways. If you have a "wet" cough, this can make the mucus easier to cough up.

Guafenesin kicks in fast - usually within 30 minutes of taking it. You'll typically repeat doses every 4 hours as needed for the immediate-release (IR) forms. The extended-release (ER) forms are taken every 12 hours.

Does Mucinex work for coughing?

The guaifenesin in Mucinex doesn't work for everyone.

There's mixed evidence on whether the guaifenesin will stop you from coughing. There's also mixed evidence on how well it thins or loosens your mucus. However, guaifenesin is a safe medication for most people. Given this, it may be a good idea to consult a healthcare professional about whether they think you should try Mucinex if you're having cough, cold, or flu symptoms. They may feel it's worth trying if it's unlikely to cause you harm.

Does Mucinex work well for other cold or flu symptoms?

As mentioned earlier, there are several cold and flu medications under the Mucinex brand. Let's review a few of these products, including their ingredients and uses.

Product name

Ingredient(s)

Use(s)

Good to know

Mucinex Fast-Max Cold & Flu

• Guaifenesin

• Acetaminophen

• Dextromethorphan

• Phenylephrine

Fever and/or minor aches and pains, cough, and congestion

• Phenylephrine has been found to be ineffective for nasal congestion

Mucinex DM

• Guaifenesin

• Dextromethorphan

Relieve chest congestion and lessen coughing

• There isn't definitive evidence on whether OTC cough medications, including guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, actually relieve cough symptoms

Mucinex D

• Guaifenesin

• Pseudoephedrine

Relieve chest congestion and nasal congestion

• Pseudoephedrine works better for nasal congestion than phenylephrine

• Mucinex D is found behind the pharmacy counter since it contains pseudoephedrine

Mucinex Maximum Strength

• Guaifenesin (as an ER tablet)

Relieve chest congestion

• Higher guaifenesin dose that's taken every 12 hours instead of every 4 hours

• Evidence is limited and conflicting, but it may work for some people

Keep in mind that some Mucinex products have the exact same ingredients, even if their names are different. So it's best to check the OTC drugs facts label to review the specific ingredients and amounts.

When should you not take Mucinex?

OTC cough medications like Mucinex are intended for short-term use. If your cough has been going on for longer than 7 days, stop taking Mucinex and contact a healthcare professional. This is also the case if your cough is accompanied by a fever, headache, or more severe symptoms that don't go away.

Talk to your primary care provider before taking Mucinex if you have a chronic cough from smoking, asthma, or other lung conditions. And if you've had a serious allergic reaction to Mucinex in the past, you shouldn't try taking it again.

The bottom line

Mucinex is the brand name for a line of over-the-counter cough, cold, and flu medications. The main ingredient in most Mucinex products is guaifenesin. Guaifenesin helps loosen and thin mucus in your airways so you cough it up easier. But there's not much evidence showing that it works.

Combination Mucinex products contain other ingredients for multi-symptom relief. Mucinex DM and Mucinex Fast-Max Cold & Flu are two examples. Your pharmacist can help you navigate your options depending on your symptoms.

Why trust our experts?

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.
Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

References

A-S Medication Solutions. (2023). Mucinex maximum strength- guaifenesin tablet, extended release [package insert]. DailyMed.

Albrecht, H. H., et al. (2017). Role of guaifenesin in the management of chronic bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections. Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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