Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsKey DifferencesUsesDosageWhich Is Better?Side EffectsDrug InteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Key Differences
Uses
Dosage
Which Is Better?
Side Effects
Drug Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Sudafed and Mucinex are popularcoughand cold medications that relievecongestion. However, they are part of separate drug classes and work in different ways.
Sudafed contains pseudoephedrine, adecongestantthat narrows the blood vessels in the nostrils to reduce swelling and promote nasal and sinus drainage.Mucinex contains guaifenesin, an expectorant that helps loosen and thin mucus in the airways, making it easier to be blown out or coughed up.
Though they are both available without a prescription, Mucinex can be purchasedover the counter(OTC),while Sudafed is sold behind the counter, requires an ID, and can only be purchased in limited quantities without a prescription.
This article will discuss the differences and similarities between Sudafed and Mucinex.
Getty Images / Smith Collection/Gado / Contributor
Sudafed vs. Mucinex: Key Differences
Available as a tablet and liquid
Available as a generic
Sudafed Sinus Congestion (pseudoephedrine) in a 30 milligram (mg) tablet; Sudafed Sinus Congestion 12 Hour (pseudoephedrine) in a 120 mg ER tablet; Sudafed Sinus Congestion 24 Hour (pseudoephedrine) in a 240 mg ER tablet; Children’s Sudafed Nasal Decongestant (pseudoephedrine) in a 15 mg per 5 milliliter (mL) dose (15 mg/5 mL)
Sold behind the counter
Nondrowsy
If a product contains a D after the name (e.g., Robitussin D), then it contains a decongestant (pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine)
Available as a tablet and solution
Mucinex (guaifenesin) in a 600 mg ER tablet; Mucinex Maximum Strength (guaifenesin) in a 1,200 mg ER tablet; Mucinex Fast-Max Chest Congestion oral solution (guaifenesin) in a 400 mg/20 mL dose
Sold OTC
May cause drowsiness (not common)
Available in many combination OTC products, such as Mucinex Allergy (fexofenadine and guaifenesin) or (guaifenesin and dextromethorphan)
Sudafed works as adecongestant. It helps to relieve stuffiness andsinus congestionor pressure due to the common cold or seasonal allergies.
Mucinex is anexpectorant. It loosens mucus and thins secretions in the lungs. This can help reduce chest congestion andmake coughs more productive. You may opt to use Mucinex if your symptoms are related more to chest congestion.
Dosage: How to Take Sudafed vs. Mucinex
Sudafed
The following tables summarize the dosage recommendations for Sudafed products, including:
Mucinex
Mucinex also comes in various product types, including:
How Long Does Sudafed vs. Mucinex Take to Work?
In immediate-release formulations, most Sudafed and Mucinex products start working 30 minutes after a dose. The ER formulations may take up to one hour for some products to take effect.
Which Works Better?
Sudafed and Mucinex are both effective at treating differentcoldandallergy symptoms.
If you are experiencing nasal congestion and need fast relief, Sudafed may be your better option. However, if you have chest congestion and need to loosen and thin mucus, Mucinex may be the more effective choice.
Side Effects & Safety Precautions
Side effects are possible with Sudafed and Mucinex. Moreover, there are a few safety considerations to account for when choosing which medication to take.
Possible side effects experienced withSudafedinclude:
Serious side effects that may be experienced withSudafedinclude:
Do not take Sudafed if you:
Possible side effects experienced withMucinexinclude:
Serious side effects that may be experienced withMucinexincludekidney stones.
Do not take Mucinex if you are allergic to Mucinex or any of its ingredients.
Certain drugs can interact with Sudafed, potentially increasing the risk of severely high blood pressure when taken together. These include:
Mucinex does not have any major drug interactions. However, Mucinex DM (a combination of guaifenesin and dextromethorphan) should not be taken within 14 days of MAO inhibitors.
If taking a combination product with Sudafed or Mucinex, always be aware of all ingredients and their potential interactions. Ask your healthcare provider or a pharmacist if you’re unsure.
Summary
Sudafed and Mucinex are two popular OTC medications used to treat symptoms of cold, flu, allergies, and sinus infections. While both can help relieve congestion, they work differently.
Sudafed narrows blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce inflammation and relieve congestion.Mucinex loosens and thins mucus in the airways, making it easier to blow out or cough up.
So, if you have astuffy nose, Sudafed may be the better choice, while Mucinex may be more helpful if you have a lot ofmucusbuildup.
It’s important to read and follow the instructions on the product label and consult with a healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
No. If you are pregnant, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professionalbefore taking any medication.Sudafed is not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, because it may harm the growing fetus.Mucinex is considered safe during pregnancy, as there is no scientific evidence of fetal harm. However, you should still discuss this with your healthcare provider before taking it while pregnant.
No. If you are pregnant, it’s important to talk to a healthcare professionalbefore taking any medication.
Sudafed is not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, because it may harm the growing fetus.
Mucinex is considered safe during pregnancy, as there is no scientific evidence of fetal harm. However, you should still discuss this with your healthcare provider before taking it while pregnant.
Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) is an OTC decongestant that relieves sinuscongestion, sinus pressure, and nasal congestion.It is less effective than Sudafed because it is broken down in the gut and liver, resulting in less absorption into the bloodstream.It comes in tablets, liquid, and nasal forms. It is not available in ER formulations like Sudafed.Some OTC products are also available under the Sudafed PEbrand and contain phenylephrine combined with pain relievers, expectorants, or cough suppressants.
Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) is an OTC decongestant that relieves sinuscongestion, sinus pressure, and nasal congestion.It is less effective than Sudafed because it is broken down in the gut and liver, resulting in less absorption into the bloodstream.It comes in tablets, liquid, and nasal forms. It is not available in ER formulations like Sudafed.
Some OTC products are also available under the Sudafed PEbrand and contain phenylephrine combined with pain relievers, expectorants, or cough suppressants.
17 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: Sudafed Sinus Congestion- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated.Głowacka K, Wiela-Hojeńska A.Pseudoephedrine-benefits and risks.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5146. doi: 10.3390/ijms22105146.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex- guaifenesin tablet, extended release.Food and Drug Administration.Legal requirements for the sale and purchase of drug products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.DailyMed.Label: Sudafed Sinus Congestion 12 Hour- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.DailyMed.Sudafed Sinus Congestion 24 Hour- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Children’s Sudafed Nasal Decongestant- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride solution.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex Maximum Strength- guaifenesin tablet, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex Fast-Max Chest Congestion Honey and Berry Flavor- guaifenesin solution.Guaifenesin. Ciccone C.D.(Ed.), (2016).Davis’s Drug Guide for Rehabilitation Professionals. McGraw Hill.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/s40248-017-0113-4Assimos DG, Langenstroer P, Leinbach RF, Mandel NS, Stern JM, Holmes RP.Guaifenesin- and ephedrine-induced stones.J Endourol. 1999;13(9):665-667. doi:10.1089/end.1999.13.665DailyMed.Label: Mucinex DM- dextromethoprhan hydrobromide, guaifenesin tablet, extended release.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097DailyMed.Label: Sudafed PE Sinus Congestion- phenylephrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated.Hendeles L, Hatton RC.Oral phenylephrine: an ineffective replacement for pseudoephedrine?J Allergy Clin Immunol.2006;118(1):279-80. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2006.03.002
17 Sources
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: Sudafed Sinus Congestion- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated.Głowacka K, Wiela-Hojeńska A.Pseudoephedrine-benefits and risks.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5146. doi: 10.3390/ijms22105146.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex- guaifenesin tablet, extended release.Food and Drug Administration.Legal requirements for the sale and purchase of drug products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.DailyMed.Label: Sudafed Sinus Congestion 12 Hour- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.DailyMed.Sudafed Sinus Congestion 24 Hour- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Children’s Sudafed Nasal Decongestant- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride solution.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex Maximum Strength- guaifenesin tablet, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex Fast-Max Chest Congestion Honey and Berry Flavor- guaifenesin solution.Guaifenesin. Ciccone C.D.(Ed.), (2016).Davis’s Drug Guide for Rehabilitation Professionals. McGraw Hill.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/s40248-017-0113-4Assimos DG, Langenstroer P, Leinbach RF, Mandel NS, Stern JM, Holmes RP.Guaifenesin- and ephedrine-induced stones.J Endourol. 1999;13(9):665-667. doi:10.1089/end.1999.13.665DailyMed.Label: Mucinex DM- dextromethoprhan hydrobromide, guaifenesin tablet, extended release.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097DailyMed.Label: Sudafed PE Sinus Congestion- phenylephrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated.Hendeles L, Hatton RC.Oral phenylephrine: an ineffective replacement for pseudoephedrine?J Allergy Clin Immunol.2006;118(1):279-80. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2006.03.002
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: Sudafed Sinus Congestion- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated.Głowacka K, Wiela-Hojeńska A.Pseudoephedrine-benefits and risks.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5146. doi: 10.3390/ijms22105146.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex- guaifenesin tablet, extended release.Food and Drug Administration.Legal requirements for the sale and purchase of drug products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.DailyMed.Label: Sudafed Sinus Congestion 12 Hour- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.DailyMed.Sudafed Sinus Congestion 24 Hour- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Children’s Sudafed Nasal Decongestant- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride solution.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex Maximum Strength- guaifenesin tablet, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Mucinex Fast-Max Chest Congestion Honey and Berry Flavor- guaifenesin solution.Guaifenesin. Ciccone C.D.(Ed.), (2016).Davis’s Drug Guide for Rehabilitation Professionals. McGraw Hill.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/s40248-017-0113-4Assimos DG, Langenstroer P, Leinbach RF, Mandel NS, Stern JM, Holmes RP.Guaifenesin- and ephedrine-induced stones.J Endourol. 1999;13(9):665-667. doi:10.1089/end.1999.13.665DailyMed.Label: Mucinex DM- dextromethoprhan hydrobromide, guaifenesin tablet, extended release.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097DailyMed.Label: Sudafed PE Sinus Congestion- phenylephrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated.Hendeles L, Hatton RC.Oral phenylephrine: an ineffective replacement for pseudoephedrine?J Allergy Clin Immunol.2006;118(1):279-80. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2006.03.002
DailyMed.Label: Sudafed Sinus Congestion- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated.
Głowacka K, Wiela-Hojeńska A.Pseudoephedrine-benefits and risks.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(10):5146. doi: 10.3390/ijms22105146.
DailyMed.Label: Mucinex- guaifenesin tablet, extended release.
Food and Drug Administration.Legal requirements for the sale and purchase of drug products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine.
DailyMed.Label: Sudafed Sinus Congestion 12 Hour- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.
DailyMed.Sudafed Sinus Congestion 24 Hour- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated, extended release.
DailyMed.Label: Children’s Sudafed Nasal Decongestant- pseudoephedrine hydrochloride solution.
DailyMed.Label: Mucinex Maximum Strength- guaifenesin tablet, extended release.
DailyMed.Label: Mucinex Fast-Max Chest Congestion Honey and Berry Flavor- guaifenesin solution.
Guaifenesin. Ciccone C.D.(Ed.), (2016).Davis’s Drug Guide for Rehabilitation Professionals. McGraw Hill.
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/s40248-017-0113-4
Assimos DG, Langenstroer P, Leinbach RF, Mandel NS, Stern JM, Holmes RP.Guaifenesin- and ephedrine-induced stones.J Endourol. 1999;13(9):665-667. doi:10.1089/end.1999.13.665
DailyMed.Label: Mucinex DM- dextromethoprhan hydrobromide, guaifenesin tablet, extended release.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitis).
Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097
DailyMed.Label: Sudafed PE Sinus Congestion- phenylephrine hydrochloride tablet, film coated.
Hendeles L, Hatton RC.Oral phenylephrine: an ineffective replacement for pseudoephedrine?J Allergy Clin Immunol.2006;118(1):279-80. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2006.03.002
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