Medically the evaluation by Darren Hein, PharmD — composed by college of Illinois — updated on September 2, 2022

Introduction

Mucinex and also Nyquil Cold & Flu are two common, over-the-counter remedies girlfriend can find on her pharmacist’s shelf. To compare the symptoms the each drug treats as well as their next effects, interactions, and also warnings to check out if one is a much better option because that you.

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The key differences in between these drugs are their energetic ingredients and also how those job-related to treat her symptoms.

Mucinex treats chest congestion. The main active ingredient is an expectorant called guaifenesin. It works by thinning the consistency of mucus in your air passages. This i got loose up mucus in her chest therefore you deserve to cough the up and out.

NyQuil temporarily treats common cold and flu symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, young aches and pains, headache, and runny nose and also sneezing. The energetic ingredients room acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and doxylamine. This ingredients each occupational a little differently.

For example, acetaminophen is a pain reliever and also fever reducer. It transforms the method your body senses pain and also regulates temperature. Dextromethorphan suppresses the signals in your mind that trigger your sneeze reflex. Doxylamine, on the various other hand, blocks a substance in her body dubbed histamine. This substance causes allergy symptom such together itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, and also itchy nose or throat. Together, these ingredients administer the relief you can gain from NyQuil.

The adhering to table summarizes the differences between Mucinex and also NyQuil in ~ a glance.


DifferenceMucinexNyquil
Active ingredient(s)guaifenesinacetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine
Symptom(s) treatedchest congestionfever, cough, sleep congestion, minor aches and pains, headache, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing
Usagethroughout the dayat night
Formsextended-release oral tablet*, oral granulesoral liquid capsule, dental solution
Risk that interactionsnoyes
Risk of severe side effectsnoyes

*There is also an extra-strength kind of this tablet, which consists of twice as much of the energetic ingredient.

Forms and also dosage

You have the right to use Mucinex transparent the day, yet you frequently use NyQuil in ~ night to aid you sleep and let her body recover. The ingredient doxylamine in NyQuil additionally causes drowsiness to assist you obtain rest.

Mucinex and NyQuil Cold & Flu are just for people 12 years and older. However, NyQuil has actually other commodities that are specifically made for children ages 4 to 11 years.

The encourage dosage because that each medicine varies according to the form. Follow the recommended dosage ~ above the package of whatever form you choose. You will need to ask your doctor for the exactly dosage that NyQuil to provide to kids who room 4 come 11 year old.


Mucinex walk not have actually the danger of major side effects. However, the adhering to serious side impacts may be feasible with NyQuil:

vision problems, such together blurry visiondifficulty urinatingallergic reaction, v symptoms together as:red, peeling or blistering skinrashhivesitchingswelling that the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, or lower legsdifficulty breathing or swallowing

If you have serious next effects, you have to stop utilizing the drug and call your doctor.

Interactions

Drug interactions deserve to increase or diminish the impact of the various other medications. Interaction can also increase your risk of side effects. There are no known far-reaching interactions with guaifenesin, the energetic ingredient in Mucinex. However, all three active ingredients the NyQuil communicate with various other drugs.

Acetaminophen can connect with:

warfarinisoniazidcarbamazepine (Tegretol)phenobarbitalphenytoin (Dilantin)phenothiazines

Dextromethorphan can connect with:

isocarboxazidphenelzine (Nardil)selegilinetranylcypromine (Parnate)

Doxylamine can connect with:

isocarboxazidphenelzine selegilinetranylcyprominelinezolidopioids such together fentanyl, hydrocodone, methadone, and morphine

You shouldn’t use Mucinex or NyQuil come treat a permanent cough. Using too lot can reason harmful effects. You additionally shouldn’t use these assets to treat symptoms of any medical condition you have without talk to your doctor first.

Other conditions

Other problems you may have can influence how NyQuil works for you. In part conditions, this drug have the right to be harmful. Ask a doctor prior to using NyQuil if friend have:

liver diseaseglaucomaurinating as result of enlarged prostate gland

Overuse

Don’t use Mucinex or NyQuil for longer than seven days. If your symptoms aren’t relieved after ~ a week, call your doctor and also stop using these drugs.

NyQuil has acetaminophen, which deserve to cause far-reaching liver damages if you overuse it. Taking more than 4 doses that NyQuil in 24 hrs can cause severe liver damage. Countless over-the-counter drugs additionally contain acetaminophen. If you take NyQuil, make sure you don’t take it with other drugs that contain acetaminophen. This will help make certain you nothing accidentally usage too lot of the drug.

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Mucinex and also NyQuil are both assets that relax symptoms that the common cold or flu. The symptom they treat space different. You have the right to take Mucinex and also NyQuil together safely if you follow the recommended dosage for each drug. However, acquisition Mucinex at night with NyQuil can actually save you indigenous falling asleep. Mucinex will certainly loosen her mucus, i beg your pardon can reason you to wake approximately cough.

Deciding between the two may simply mean choosing the drug that treats the symptoms that are bothering friend the most. That course, you have to never take any type of drug if you’re not sure exactly how to use it or if it’s ideal for you. Constantly talk to your physician if you have actually questions.