Can You Take Sudafed And Mucinex Together

Can you take sudafed and mucinex together?

Have you ever wondered if you can take Sudafed and Mucinex together, you are not the only person trying to take this combination as many have wondered if this is safe and healthy. Nasal congestion can be a really annoying and frustrating illness. Fortunately, there are many medicines that can be used to treat this illness.

Sudafed and Mucinex are both over-the-counter medicines used in treating nasal congestion, which means you can buy them without prescription. But, one question is if you can combine both medicines in order to get faster relief. Read on to get the answer to this question as well as to know some basic things about both medicines.

WHAT IS SUDAFED?

Sudafed is a common decongestant, it contains an active ingredient known as pseudoephedrine (PSE). This medicine works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passage. As the blood vessels are narrowed, your nasal passage are opened and your sinuses can drain freely making you to breath freely.

A form of Sudafed known as Sudafed 12 Hour Pressure + Pain also has another active ingredient called naproxen sodium. Another form of Sudafed known as Sudafed PE does not have pseudoephedrine but phenylephrine although the latter is less effective.

WHAT IS MUCINEX?

Mucinex is a medicine used on treating cough and nasal congestion. For cold and flu with other symptoms like runny nose and fever.

It has many products that are made with at least one or two active ingredients like:

Guaifenesin: This is an active ingredient that thins and loosen excess mucus, it also clears your throat and chest. This ingredient makes it easier for you to cough out mucus and prevent nasal congestion. This helps to thin and loosen excess mucus.
Dextromethorphan HBr: This ingredient helps to suppress cough, it works on a part of the brain. Another name for this drug is antitussive. Forms of Mucinex like Mucinex® DM are best used when you have symptoms such as stubborn cough. For relaxing and suppressing cough
Acetaminophen: This helps with headache, sore throat, fever and pain associated with cold and flu.
Phenylephrine HCl: This ingredient helps to unclog stuffy nose and help you to breathe easily, it is a nasal decongestant.
Doxylamine Succinate or Diphenhydramine HCL: This helps to relieve runny nose and sneezing.

CAN YOU TAKE SUDAFED AND MUCINEX TOGETHER?

It is possible for you to take Sudafed and Mucinex together, there is no harm associated with this combination. It may interest you to know that some pharmaceutical companies combine Sudafed and Mucinex into one pill and this is more suitable for some people instead of taking them as separate pill. Sudafed will open your nasal passage while Mucinex helps your to loosen the mucus in the sinuses.

When you take these medicines together or take a pill that combines both medicines, there will be greater effectiveness than taking each of them as a single pill. Combination of both medicines will give you faster relief from nasal congestion, cold and flu. There is known interactions when you take both medicines.

***Can You Take Sudafed And Mucinex Together?***

According to Hello Pharmacist, some medicines that contain both Sudafed and Mucinex include:

Mucinex-D 12 Hour
Mucinex-D 24 Hour
Sunmark Mucus Relief D
Chest Congesion Relief D

CAN YOU TAKE SUDAFED AND MUCINEX TOGETHER WITHOUT ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS?

There may be side effects if you take Sudafed (with pseudoephedrine as its active ingredient) and some types of Mucinex with pseudoephedrine ( like Mucinex D and Mucinex DM ). The side effects will be due to too much pseudoephedrine and cause effects on heart and circulatory system. When you notice any of these side effects, you should stop using the medicine and see a doctor immediately.

You may notice signs like:

Trouble with breathing
Difficulty in urinating
Irregular heartbeat
Swelling
Faster heartbeat
Mental changes
Mood changes

HOW TO TAKE SUDAFED AND MUCINEX TOGETHER

There are tips you should consider while taking Sudafed and Mucinex like:

When taking Sudafed and Mucinex together, you should not take any alcoholic drinks. If you are to take alcohol, it should be limited.
One of the side effects of Sudafed is dizziness so you should not drive, use machines or do any activity that needs you to be alert.
You should not take Sudafed and Mucinex when you are using MAO inhibitors or have used them in the last 12 days. MAO inhibitors include selegiline, rasagiline, phenelzine and others. There is risk of serious side effects if these medicines are combined.
There may be restlessness in children after taking Sudafed
If you have health conditions like high blood pressure, heart diseases, thyroid disorders or diabetes, you should talk to you doctor before using these medicines.
If you react or are allergic to pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, you should not take Sudafed and Mucinex.
Sudafed can cause effects especially in elderly people. These effects can be irregular heartbeat, faster heartbeat, difficulties urinating, difficulties sleeping, confusion or dizziness.
There are no scientific evidences or studies that supports the safety of Sudafed and Mucinex to unborn babies. You should see your doctor first before use if you are pregnant.

ARE THERE OTHER DRUGS THAT INTERACT WITH SUDAFED?

There are some other drugs that produces negative reactions if they are taken with Sudafed. This interaction is caused by the active ingredient, pseudoephedrine. It is best you talk to your doctor before combining any of these drugs with Sudafed. If you take coffee, you can limit the amount while taking Sudafed.

Avoid taking Sudafed with any of the drugs below:

Antihypertensive medications
Antidepressants
Beta blockers
Digitalis
Amphetamine, ephedrine, methamphetamines and other sympathomimetic amines

CAN MUCINEX INTERACT WITH OTHER DRUGS?

Yes, there are drugs that can interact with Mucinex as combining it with drugs with guaifenesin (the active ingredient in Mucinex) can lead to overdose of the ingredient. Mucinex products that interact with other drugs are mostly Mucinex D or Mucinex DM especially if they are taken at the same time.

Mucinex D can interact with drugs like:

Those used in treating high blood pressure
Heart problem medicines
Stimulants like ADHD medications
Antidepressants
Supplements or diet medicines that contain caffeine
Methyldopa
Other cold and cough medications
Antidepressants and drugs for Parkinson’s disease
Alcoholic drinks

HOW TO TAKE SUDAFED

Sudafed has many products like Sudafed Congestion, Sudafed 12 Hour, Sudafed 24 Hour, and Sudafed 12 Hour Pressure + Pain. They comes in forms such as caplets, tablets, or extended-release tablets. Only the children’s Sudafed comes in liquid form. These different products are taken in different doses.

1. Sudafed Congestion

Children from the age of 12 and adults should take two tablets every 4 to 6 hours. However, you are not to take more than eight tablets in 24 hours.
Children between the age of 6 and 11 can take just one tablet every 4 to 6 hours and not more than four tablets in 24 hours.
Do not use Sudafed Congestion for children who are under the age of 6.

2. Sudafed 12 Hour

This medicine should not be taken by children under the age of 12. Adults and children who are 13 years and above can take one tablet every 12 hours. You should not take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours.

3. Sudafed 24 Hour

Children who are younger than 12 should not take Sudafed 24 Hour. Children who are 12 years and above and adults can take one tablet every 24 hours. You are not to take more than a tablet in 24 hours.

4. Sudafed 12 Hour Pressure + Pain

This medicine is not to be taken by children who are younger than 12. Children from the age of 12 and above should take only one caplet every 12 hours. Do not take more than this.

5. Children’s Sudafed

Children from the ages of 6–11 years should be given just two teaspoons every four to six hours and not more than four doses every 24 hours (Meds Safety, 2022). For children who are between 4–5 years can take one teaspoon every four to six hours. Do not give this medicine to children under the age of 4.

HOW TO TAKE MUCINEX

Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water. You should not break, chew or crush the medicine.
You can choose to take Mucinex with or without food.
Do not use this medicine if the child is younger than 12 years.
Children who are above 12 and adults can take 1 or 2 tablets every 12 hours.

CONCLUSION

It is possible and safe for you to take Sudafed and Mucinex together, they are both used to treat nasal congestion, cold and flu. While one clears the nasal passage, the other loosen excess mucus. However, there are tips you should consider while taking these medicines to avoid having side effects.