What will mucinex do

The efficacy of guaifenesin as an expectorant has also been examined in the context of acute URTIs Table 5. In adults with acute URTIs, guaifenesin significantly reduced sputum thickness and quantity compared to placebo [ 41 ]. A large placebo-controlled pilot study explored a range of objective and subjective outcome measures in patients with acute URTIs. The most promising measures included a daily diary for patient-reported outcome PRO parameters.

These described symptoms such as severity of chest congestion, mucus thickness and cough. Some of these 11 exploratory parameters showed strong trends or statistically significant differences between guaifenesin and placebo. A PRO validation process served to qualify more focused subsets of 4 and 8 questions. To explore effects on sputum as objective endpoints, laboratory analyses were performed on patient mucus samples from the pilot study.

The laboratory analyses could not demonstrate differences in mucus properties with guaifenesin compared to placebo; however, it should be noted that methodological issues with mucus sample collection and shipping were present, raising some questions about the interpretation of the laboratory results [ 44 ]. Guaifenesin was reported to be effective for improving symptomatic rhinitis and sinusitis by decreasing nasal congestion and postnasal discharge in immunocompromised HIV positive patients [ 45 , 46 ].

Despite some conflicting data available, some patients with rhinitis benefit from using guaifenesin [ 12 ]. As a single agent, guaifenesin has a well-established and favorable safety and tolerability profile. Its safety record is supported by data from published clinical studies and a history of post-marketing surveillance safety reports covering more than 50 years in the US and around the world.

Common side effects reported for the drug include dizziness, headache, and gastrointestinal disturbances at high doses [ 17 ]. Guaifenesin had the lowest frequency of mentions for non-fatal AEs by system organ class SOC at estimated supra-therapeutic and even at estimated unknown dosing; and the second lowest frequency of mentions for non-fatal AEs by SOC at estimated therapeutic dosing.

The few published reports of serious adverse events related to the use of guaifenesin have mostly been in the context of overdose and use as part of multiple-drug combinations for various cough and cold indications.

Published reports include renal stone formation with chronic guaifenesin overdose [ 49 ], and acute fatal intoxication by a combination of guaifenesin, diphenhydramine, and chlorpheniramine, although the relative contribution of guaifenesin to the fatality could not be determined [ 50 ].

Pregnancy category C status for GGE was determined by the FDA based on the absence of definitive studies assessing potential risks to the fetus [ 3 , 51 ]. Results of a recently published study in female, pregnant rats, after testing very high doses of guaifenesin, suggest that the risk of fetal abnormalities cannot be ruled out [ 52 ]. The medical literature and safety databases do not show meaningful signals suggesting a significant risk of fetal development issues after pregnant women used guaifenesin.

Thus, caution regarding the use of GGE in pregnant women is warranted [ 51 ]. Immediate-release IR and extended-release ER guaifenesin are available in single-agent formulations Table 7. There are also many popular guaifenesin-containing combination OTC and prescription products available on the market, but these are outside the scope of this article. The dual dosing range of guaifenesin in the US allows patients the flexibility to titrate doses to achieve optimal efficacy.

In the US, adults and children above 12 years old may take guaifenesin in oral doses of to mg every 4 h, up to a maximum of mg over 24 h [ 17 ]. Pediatric doses cater to children aged 2—12 years, and differ according to age groups, i. In Canada, guaifenesin is not recommended for children aged 12 years and below. Dosing regimens and daily maximum doses for adults and children above 12 years old in Canada daily dose of mg maximum also differ from those in the US [ 53 ].

Because of guaifenesin short half-life, frequent dosing with IR guaifenesin is required to maintain therapeutic levels of the drug in the body Fig. Subsequently h extended release form of guaifenesin were designed to provide bioequivalent pharmacokinetic characteristics to generic IR guaifenesin products [ 20 ] and are currently approved as h tablet ER guaifenesin formulation in the US market. An example of such ER products is a bi-layer tablet formulation containing mg of guaifenesin and comprising an IR layer that allows rapid release of guaifenesin to achieve an early C max , and an ER layer that allows sustained release of guaifenesin to produce a steady plasma concentration over a h period Fig.

Following approval of this extended release form of guaifenesin NDA in , the FDA required the removal of all marketed, but unapproved, timed-release guaifenesin products from the market by Schematic pharmacokinetic profile of extended-release ER vs immediate-release IR guaifenesin formulations. Extended-release ER guaifenesin blue line attained bioequivalent plasma concentrations to those obtained with 3 immediate-release IR guaifenesin doses orange line.

The unique bi-layer tablet formulation comprises an IR layer that permits immediate release of guaifenesin to rapidly attain maximum plasma concentrations C max , and an ER layer that permits sustained release of guaifenesin to maintain prolonged blood plasma levels of guaifenesin over 12 h.

Figure adapted from Vilson and Owen, [ 20 ]. This review provides an updated and comprehensive perspective on the use of guaifenesin in treating respiratory disorders in which excessive mucus is an important clinical feature. Excessive mucus secretion and local accumulation in the airway occurs in both acute URTIs and chronic respiratory disorders with an underlying inflammatory etiology such as chronic bronchitis and COPD. The expectorant properties of guaifenesin, which help to thin bronchial secretions and promote mucus clearance, were demonstrated in studies involving patients with chronic bronchitis or other chronic respiratory conditions.

Studies in symptomatic chest congestion and acute cough, as well as in acute rhino-sinusitis indications, have yielded mixed results. This may be understandable, given the context of rapidly changing symptoms in acute URTIs, which are challenging to study under standard clinical trial conditions. Some studies showed evidence of efficacy based on improvements in subjective measures as patients assessed their cough, mucus clearance, or chest congestion symptoms.

However, in many cases the methods were not validated or results were not confirmed by subsequent studies. For this reason, the effects of guaifenesin have been more consistently demonstrated in stable chronic respiratory disease models.

Further research is needed to clarify the antitussive effectiveness of guaifenesin and its ability to relieve chest congestion in acute URTIs in children and adults, and the utility of the drug in improving symptoms of rhino-sinusitis. To date, the approved indications for guaifenesin have not changed from those included in the Final Monograph.

Interestingly, the secondary indication for stable chronic bronchitis remains largely underutilized or unrecognized even among US medical professionals. A large body of AE reporting data supports the safety of guaifenesin for adult and pediatric use.

Well-established as a safe expectorant drug, guaifenesin has achieved common usage for the relief of mucus-related symptoms of acute URTIs and for patients with mucus-related symptoms in the context of stable chronic bronchitis. Additional, up-to-date, and high-quality data are needed to explore the full potential of this compound in established uses, and in new respiratory indications associated with mucus hypersecretion.

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Rubin BK. Mucolytics, expectorants, and mucokinetic medications. Storms W, Farrar JR. Guaifenesin in rhinitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. Effect of guaifenesin on mucin production, rheology, and mucociliary transport in differentiated human airway epithelial cells.

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Pulm Pharmacol Ther. Guaifenesin pharmacokinetics following single-dose oral Administration in Children Aged 2 to 17 years. J Clin Pharmacol. Pharmacokinetic studies in healthy subjects for the development of an extended-release tablet formulation of guaifenesin: a b 2 new drug application approval.

Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. J Pharm Sci. Investigations of guaifenesine metabolism with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Arch Toxicol. Rossberg F, Luther D. Animal experiment on the absorption, distribution and elimination of C 14 - and H 3 -labelled guaiacol-glyceryl-ether.

Acta Biol Med Ger. Biopharmaceutical studies on guaiacol glyceryl ether and related compounds. V J Pharm Sci. Abuse of guaifenesin-containing medications generates an excess of a carboxylate salt of beta- 2-methoxyphenoxy -lactic acid, a guaifenesin metabolite, and results in urolithiasis. Yuta A, Baraniuk JN.

Therapeutic approaches to mucus hypersecretion. These drugs are called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs. Examples of these drugs include:. The interaction between these drugs and Mucinex DM can cause a serious reaction known as serotonin syndrome. This reaction can be life threatening. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include:. Keep reading: Serotonin syndrome symptoms, treatment, and more ».

Also, dextromethorphan, one of the ingredients in Mucinex DM, is a commonly misused drug. It can cause a high or euphoria when used in high doses. It can even cause hallucinations. For the best results:. What side effects can Mucinex DM cause? Learn about the symptoms that Mucinex and NyQuil treat and more to see if one of these drugs is right for your cold or flu. Learn more about the ways you can treat a stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, at home, including tips on decongestants, humidifiers, and steam remedies.

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Typically, postnasal drip can be alleviated at home. Try these remedies and OTC products to relieve your symptoms. Salt water gargles are touted as an effective and easy home remedy for a sore throat. We explain why, plus additional benefits.

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Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Mucinex is a brand name for a medication called guaifenesin. In the United States, guaifenesin is sold over-the-counter expectorant that can be used to treat congestion by breaking up and thinning mucus in the chest and throat.

Mucus that is closer to a liquid than a solid is easier to cough out and expel. Mucinex is typically used by individuals who are congested because they are suffering from a common cold , the flu, or allergies but it can be prescribed by a healthcare provider for other reasons. Guaifenesin works to relieve the symptoms of these conditions but is not a treatment for the root cause of congestion or decrease the overall time of these illnesses.

Guaifenesin is safe to use in both adults and children. Aside from being used as an expectorant, guaifenesin is a centrally-acting muscle relaxant and is sometimes used in veterinary medicine for this purpose.

There is also an off-label treatment known as the fibromyalgia guaifenesin protocol that is sometimes used, however, there is very little evidence to support the use of guaifenesin in this manner. Guaifenesin is sold by itself or as one of the several ingredients in many cough and cold preparations. Some of the different medications containing guaifenesin include:. Mucinex comes in a variety of forms including tablets and liquids and even dissolving granules.

You should follow the directions on the package carefully regardless of which form of the medication you are using. Consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist and inform them of any medications you are currently taking as well as any allergies to medications you have before trying Mucinex. If you are using an extended-release preparation the tablets should not be cut, crushed, or chewed but taken whole.