Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe Common ColdDrugs for ColdsWhat Is Mucinex?What Is DayQuil?Dosing GuidelinesSafe Use GuidanceEfficacySide Effects and PrecautionsPotential for InteractionAlternative Treatment MethodsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Common Cold
Drugs for Colds
What Is Mucinex?
What Is DayQuil?
Dosing Guidelines
Safe Use Guidance
Efficacy
Side Effects and Precautions
Potential for Interaction
Alternative Treatment Methods
Frequently Asked Questions
Cold symptoms are typically mild and usually treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Two OTC cold medications you might consider if you have a cold areMucinex (guaifenesin)orDayQuil (acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/phenylephrine).
Knowing the difference between the two is important when seeking relief for your cold symptoms, as Mucinex and DayQuil have different active ingredients and treat different symptoms.
As such, this article will outline important differences and similarities between Mucinex and DayQuil.
Furthermore, it will highlight their respective uses, dosing requirements, side effects, and storage requirements.
Jeff Greenberg / Getty Images
Facts About the Common Cold
Adults in the United States get an average of two to four colds per year, typically between September and April.
Children may come down with a cold about six to eight times yearly.
Drugs for the Common Cold
Drugs used for the common cold do not cure the infection causing your illness.
Instead, they treat the symptoms that come from having a cold.
These symptoms can include:
You may not have all these symptoms during a cold.
Depending on your symptoms, you may consider the following medications for the common cold:expectorants,decongestants, oranalgesics.
Expectorants
Expectorants are drugs that help loosen and thin mucus in your lungs and airways to make it easier for you to cough up the mucus.
Expectorants help relieve the chest congestion you may have with a cold.
Guaifenesin is the active ingredient in oral cough medications such as Mucinex or Robitussin for Direct Chest Congestion.
It’s also commonly found in somemulti-ingredient cough and cold medications, such as:
Robitussin vs. Mucinex: How Do They Compare?
Decongestants
A stuffy nose (nasal congestion) is a frequent symptom of the common cold.
Decongestants shrink swollen blood vessels, opening up your nasal passages. This allows air to pass through your nose and for mucus to drain.
Phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are examples of oral decongestants.In comparison, oxymetazoline is a decongestant typically found in nasal sprays.
Like expectorants, decongestants can be found in single-ingredient ormulti-ingredient cold medications.
Examples include:
Analgesics
It’s rare to have a fever with the common cold. However, it’s possible to have a headache or sore throat if you have a cold.
Examples of analgesics that may treat these symptoms include:
Manymulti-ingredient cold medicationsalso contain an analgesic. For example, DayQuil contains the analgesic acetaminophen.
Mucinex extended-release (ER) tablet is approved for use in adults and children 12 years and older. The children’s versions of Mucinex may be used for children 4 years or older.
Off-Label Uses
In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe guaifenesin to treat conditions that differ from what the drug was initially approved to treat.
This is called off-label use.
Guaifenesin is sometimes used off-label to relieve chest congestion due tochronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Mucinex is available in different brand-name versions, which may contain other ingredients besides guaifenesin.
However, this article mainly focuses on the version of Mucinex that contains just guaifenesin.
Other popular versions of Mucinex are:
These versions of Mucinex typically come in several different oral forms that may vary based on your product type.
They can include:
DayQuil is a multi-ingredient cold medication.
Active Ingredients
To treat cold symptoms, DayQuil contains the following active ingredients:
Forms of Administration
DayQuil comes in an oral liquid solution, and an oral liquid-filled capsule forms.
The liquid forms of DayQuil are approved for use in adults and children ages 6 years and older.
DayQuil caplets (an oral tablet) and liquid-filled capsules are approved for adults and children 12 years or older.
Other popular versions of DayQuil include:
Another popular version of this drug isNyQuil. This medication is formulated to be used before bedtime to help relieve cold and flu symptoms while you sleep.
Like DayQuil, NyQuil contains the analgesic acetaminophen and the cough suppressant dextromethorphan.
However, it does not have the nasal decongestant phenylephrine.
NyQuil, the nighttime version of DayQuill, contains doxylamine, an antihistamine that helps relieve runny nose and sneezing. It also causes drowsiness.
Remember that the table below does not include all the versions in which Mucinex and DayQuil are available.
Be sure to follow the dosing instructions on the package of the cold medication you take. These may vary based on the form and brand version set below:
The table below shows recommended children’s dosages for Mucinex and DayQuil:
NyQuil is approved for use in adults and children 12 years or older.
For these ages, the recommended dosages are the same as for DayQuil capsules and liquid.
The following are guidelines for the safe use of Mucinex and DayQuil.
Mucinex
Take Mucinex tablets with a full glass of water. You may take your dose with or without food.
You should swallow Mucinex tablets whole without chewing, crushing, or breaking them.
Mucinex ER tablets are typically taken every 12 hours, and other forms of this drug are dosed every four hours.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging for the recommended dosage based on your age and the version of your drug.
Do not take more than the recommended maximum dose of this medication. As with other OTC cold medications, Mucinex temporarily relieves cold symptoms.
People typically take this medication as needed until their symptoms improve.
DayQuil
Take DayQuil liquid-filled capsules with water.
You should swallow the capsules whole without chewing, cutting, or crushing them. If you have trouble swallowing capsules, DayQuil Liquid forms may be a better option for you.
DayQuil is typically taken every four hours. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s dosing instructions and take, at most, the recommended dosage.
Remember that DayQuil contains the decongestant phenylephrine, which may interfere with your sleep. Avoid taking this medication close to your bedtime to minimize sleep disruptions.
If sleep is a problem, NyQuil may be a good alternative when taking cold medication at bedtime. This version causes drowsiness and is typically taken at bedtime.
When deciding whether Mucinex or DayQuil is better for you, look at the active ingredients and see if they effectively treat your symptoms.
Mucinex is used to help thin and break up mucus in the lungs and airways to make it easier to cough up the mucus.
In several studies, guaifenesin effectively thinned and loosed mucus in people with different respiratory conditions, including bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold.
DayQuil contains the active ingredients acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine.
When looking at each ingredient individually, research has shown the following:
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen relieves mild to moderate pain, such as headache, and reduces fever.
Professional guidelines recommend acetaminophen or anonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, as the first step in managing short-term pain.
Although acetaminophen and NSAIDs are usually considered equally adequate in managing pain, studies comparing acetaminophen and ibuprofen found that ibuprofen is more effective for pain relief.
As a fever reducer, acetaminophen has been considered one of the most effective drugs and is commonly used for this purpose.
Dextromethorphan
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant.
Several studies have found dextromethorphan to be significantly effective in suppressing cough when compared with placebo (no medication).
This effect was seen whether study participants took dextromethorphan liquid or capsules.
Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine is commonly used as a nasal decongestant in many cold medications, including DayQuil.
Although phenylephrine has been used in OTC products for decades, in 2023, an FDA committee announced that oral forms of phenylephrine are no better than placebo at relieving nasal congestion.
The FDA has not removed phenylephrine from the market and has said that it is not unsafe to continue taking OTC products that contain phenylephrine.
Talk with a healthcare provider if you have questions about taking phenylephrine for nasal congestion.
As with all drugs, some people may have side effects from Mucinex or DayQuil. Both drugs may have similar side effects and some different ones based on their active ingredients.
Keep in mind that the side effects listed below apply to the following versions of these medications:
Both these medications are available in other versions with different active ingredients. Other versions may have different side effects.
Talk with your pharmacist to learn more about the side effects of your cold medications.
Common Side Effects of Mucinex
Common side effects of Mucinex include:
Common Side Effects of DayQuil
Common side effects of DayQuil may include:
Severe Side Effects of DayQuil
DayQuil may also cause less common but more severe side effects.
Stop taking DayQuil and seek emergency medical attention right away if you have any of the following side effects:
Acetaminophen, one of the active ingredients in DayQuil, may cause liver damage.
If you already have liver problems, check with your pharmacist or another healthcare provider before taking DayQuil.
Mucinex is not known to interact with other drugs.
However, DayQuil may have some interactions. The following are a few points to keep in mind if you take DayQuil:
Beyond medication, alternative strategies you can implement to help get over a cold include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
The common cold typically goes away after one or two weeks.
However, you should contact a healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms:
Summary
Mucinex and DayQuil are Both OTC medications used to treat specific symptoms of thecommon cold.
Because Mucinex and DayQuil have different active ingredients, they treat different cold symptoms.
When looking for OTC medication to help relieve your cold symptoms, it’s essential to look for active ingredients to treat them. If you have questions about this, your pharmacist may be able to answer them.
Remember that cold medications do not cure a cold; they only treat related symptoms.
Therefore, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when taking Mucinex or DayQuil.
Frequently Asked QuestionsStore Mucinex tablets at room temperature (68–77 degrees F).DayQuil capsules and liquid should be stored at temperatures above 77 degrees but not frozen.Like all medications, Mucinex and DayQuil should be kept out of the sight and reach of children and pets.In children, Mucinex starts working about 30 minutes after taking a dose. Mucinex may take up to 90 minutes to start working in adults.DayQuil typically starts working about 15–30 minutes after you take a dose.
Store Mucinex tablets at room temperature (68–77 degrees F).DayQuil capsules and liquid should be stored at temperatures above 77 degrees but not frozen.Like all medications, Mucinex and DayQuil should be kept out of the sight and reach of children and pets.
Store Mucinex tablets at room temperature (68–77 degrees F).
DayQuil capsules and liquid should be stored at temperatures above 77 degrees but not frozen.
Like all medications, Mucinex and DayQuil should be kept out of the sight and reach of children and pets.
In children, Mucinex starts working about 30 minutes after taking a dose. Mucinex may take up to 90 minutes to start working in adults.DayQuil typically starts working about 15–30 minutes after you take a dose.
In children, Mucinex starts working about 30 minutes after taking a dose. Mucinex may take up to 90 minutes to start working in adults.
DayQuil typically starts working about 15–30 minutes after you take a dose.
39 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed:Label: Vicks Dayquil Cold and Flu- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and phenylephrine hydrochloride capsule, liquid filledDailyMed.Label: Mucinex- guaifenesin tablet, extended releaseAmerican Lung Association.Facts about the common cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common cold.Ohar JA, Donohue JF, Spangenthal S.The role of guaifenesin in the management of chronic mucus hypersecretion associated with stable chronic bronchitis: A comprehensive review.Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis. 2019;6(4):341-349. doi:10.15326/jcopdf.6.4.2019.0139DailyMed.Label: Robitussin Direct Chest Congestion- guaifenesin tablet, coated.DailyMed.Label: Vicks Dayquil Severe Cold and Flu- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine hydrochloride solution.DailyMed.Label: Robitussin CF- dextromethorphan hydrobromide, guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride liquid.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex DM- guaifenesin and dextromethorphan hydrobromide tablet, extended release.MedlinePlus.Stuffy or runny nose.NHS Inform.Decongestants.MedlinePlus.Phenylephrine.DailyMed.Label: Sudafed Sinus Congestion- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated.DailyMed.Label: Afrin Original- oxymetazoline hydrochloride spray.Arthritis Foundation.Analgesics.MedlinePlus.Naproxen.MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.DailyMed.Label: Vicks Dayquil Cold and Flu- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and phenylephrine hydrochloride liquid.Moore RA, Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Maguire T, Roy YM, Tyrrell L.Non-prescription (OTC) oral analgesics for acute pain - an overview of Cochrane reviews.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(11):CD010794. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010794.pub2MedlinePlus.Guaifenesin.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex Children’s Cough- dextromethorphan hydrobromide and guaifenesin solution.Food and Drug Administration.Understanding unapproved use of approved drugs “off-label”.Ramos FL, Krahnke JS, Kim V.Clinical issues of mucus accumulation in COPD.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2014;9(1):139-150. doi:10.2147/COPD.S38938DailyMed.Label: Maximum Strength Mucinex Fast-Max cold and flu - acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine hydrochloride capsule, liquid filled.MedlinePlus.Dextromethorphan.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.DailyMed.Label: Vicks DayQuil Kids Cold Cough Plus Mucus- guaifenesin, phenylephrine hydrochloride and dextromethorphan hydrobromide liquid.DailyMed.Label: Vicks NyQuil Cold and Flu- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and doxylamine succinate capsule, liquid filled.Albrecht HH, Dicpinigaitis PV, Guenin EP.Role of guaifenesin in the management of chronic bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections.Multidiscip Respir Med. 2017;12:31. doi:10.1186/s40248-017-0113-4Qaseem A, McLean RM, O’Gurek D, Batur P, Kansagara DL.Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic management of acute pain from non–low back, musculoskeletal injuries in adults: A clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians.Ann Intern Med.2020;173:739-748. doi.org/10.7326/M19-3602Blondell RD, Mohammadreza A, Wisniewski AM.Pharmacologic therapy for acute pain.Am Fam Physician.2021;104(1):63-72.Moore RA, Derry S, Wiffen PJ, Straube S, Aldington DJ.Overview review: Comparative efficacy of oral ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) across acute and chronic pain conditions.Eur J Pain. 2015 Oct;19(9):1213-1223. doi:10.1002/ejp.649Bush LM.Fever in adults.Merck Manual: Consumer Version.Morice A, Kardos P.Comprehensive evidence-based review on European antitussives.BMJ Open Resp Res. 2016;3(1):e000137. doi:10.1136/bmjresp-2016-000137Food and Drug Administration.FDA clarifies results of recent advisory committee meeting on oral phenylephrine,MedlinePlus.Common cold.PDR.Delsym.Sobieraj DM, Baker WL, Martinez BK, et al. Comparative Effectiveness of Analgesics To Reduce Acute Pain in the Prehospital Setting. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2019 Sep. (Comparative Effectiveness Review, No. 220.) Table 1,Onset, duration, and typical initial doses for analgesics,
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed:Label: Vicks Dayquil Cold and Flu- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and phenylephrine hydrochloride capsule, liquid filledDailyMed.Label: Mucinex- guaifenesin tablet, extended releaseAmerican Lung Association.Facts about the common cold.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common cold.Ohar JA, Donohue JF, Spangenthal S.The role of guaifenesin in the management of chronic mucus hypersecretion associated with stable chronic bronchitis: A comprehensive review.Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis. 2019;6(4):341-349. doi:10.15326/jcopdf.6.4.2019.0139DailyMed.Label: Robitussin Direct Chest Congestion- guaifenesin tablet, coated.DailyMed.Label: Vicks Dayquil Severe Cold and Flu- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine hydrochloride solution.DailyMed.Label: Robitussin CF- dextromethorphan hydrobromide, guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride liquid.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex DM- guaifenesin and dextromethorphan hydrobromide tablet, extended release.MedlinePlus.Stuffy or runny nose.NHS Inform.Decongestants.MedlinePlus.Phenylephrine.DailyMed.Label: Sudafed Sinus Congestion- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated.DailyMed.Label: Afrin Original- oxymetazoline hydrochloride spray.Arthritis Foundation.Analgesics.MedlinePlus.Naproxen.MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.DailyMed.Label: Vicks Dayquil Cold and Flu- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and phenylephrine hydrochloride liquid.Moore RA, Wiffen PJ, Derry S, Maguire T, Roy YM, Tyrrell L.Non-prescription (OTC) oral analgesics for acute pain - an overview of Cochrane reviews.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(11):CD010794. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010794.pub2MedlinePlus.Guaifenesin.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex Children’s Cough- dextromethorphan hydrobromide and guaifenesin solution.Food and Drug Administration.Understanding unapproved use of approved drugs “off-label”.Ramos FL, Krahnke JS, Kim V.Clinical issues of mucus accumulation in COPD.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2014;9(1):139-150. doi:10.2147/COPD.S38938DailyMed.Label: Maximum Strength Mucinex Fast-Max cold and flu - acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine hydrochloride capsule, liquid filled.MedlinePlus.Dextromethorphan.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.DailyMed.Label: Vicks DayQuil Kids Cold Cough Plus Mucus- guaifenesin, phenylephrine hydrochloride and dextromethorphan hydrobromide liquid.DailyMed.Label: Vicks NyQuil Cold and Flu- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and doxylamine succinate capsule, liquid filled.Albrecht HH, Dicpinigaitis PV, Guenin EP.Role of guaifenesin in the management of chronic bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections.Multidiscip Respir Med. 2017;12:31. doi:10.1186/s40248-017-0113-4Qaseem A, McLean RM, O’Gurek D, Batur P, Kansagara DL.Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic management of acute pain from non–low back, musculoskeletal injuries in adults: A clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians.Ann Intern Med.2020;173:739-748. doi.org/10.7326/M19-3602Blondell RD, Mohammadreza A, Wisniewski AM.Pharmacologic therapy for acute pain.Am Fam Physician.2021;104(1):63-72.Moore RA, Derry S, Wiffen PJ, Straube S, Aldington DJ.Overview review: Comparative efficacy of oral ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) across acute and chronic pain conditions.Eur J Pain. 2015 Oct;19(9):1213-1223. doi:10.1002/ejp.649Bush LM.Fever in adults.Merck Manual: Consumer Version.Morice A, Kardos P.Comprehensive evidence-based review on European antitussives.BMJ Open Resp Res. 2016;3(1):e000137. doi:10.1136/bmjresp-2016-000137Food and Drug Administration.FDA clarifies results of recent advisory committee meeting on oral phenylephrine,MedlinePlus.Common cold.PDR.Delsym.Sobieraj DM, Baker WL, Martinez BK, et al. Comparative Effectiveness of Analgesics To Reduce Acute Pain in the Prehospital Setting. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2019 Sep. (Comparative Effectiveness Review, No. 220.) Table 1,Onset, duration, and typical initial doses for analgesics,
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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