Do you use Mucinex? At what dosage?

My pulm doc and a pulm CNP said 1200mg daily is safe for long term usage, though not everyone reacts the same to meds, and I agree with Sue that the least effective dose is the way to go. As far as cost goes there are generic versions of guanifensin, but they might not be time-released. NAC and flavonoids such as fisetin and apigenin and luteolin might also thin mucus -- check Pubmed or Google Scholar for the studies. Lots of other possible mucolytics as well. Searching Pubmed for mucolytics or "mucus overproduction" or hypersecretion might be fruitful.

Hi Sue. I can't quite remember the last time I was "not ill." Usually when I bring up sputum it is thick and sticky. Not sure it is the level that you experience. I just finished another 2-week round of Tobi 3 days ago and now have quite a bit of dry cough. It woke me up three times last night, which is unusual. We need our sleep for sure.

I think it is important to distinguish regular Mucinex from Mucinex DM. Perhaps some Drs think you are taking the DM version which is not a good idea. Also Mucinex is just Guaifenesin time released. One study I read compared regular Mucinex to NAC and one other thing which I forget. Guaifenesin time released was found to be the most effective, at least in that study. If you google there are other studies out there. I just take 600 mg regular Mucinex as needed. Just one a day perhaps every 4 or 5 days? It does seem to help without side effects. I have never tried taking it daily or even every other day. I know some people take 1200 twice a day. In my case I think that would backfire for me. It seems safe enough to take for most people. You need to drink plenty of water while taking it. I do produce plenty of mucus daily but the ease and thoroughness of expelling it some days is an issue, hence the Mucinex.

I take musinex 600 daily and prescribe my Dr. Yes your PCP can write you prescription b/c it’s expensive. Cila

I have been taking 1200 mg. 2 times a day for a couple of years. I do not know whether it is safe or not but would like to know,
I was told that I could not get it by RX, but I called my insurance company and found that guaifenesin can be obtained by RX. I got my 1st RX from Walgreens (180 600 mg Extended Release i got 180 tablets.
I am not sure of the charge. I would have to look it up , but I know it is MUCH less expensive than OTC

@cila and @raney MAYBE it is covered. My current insurer, BCBS Federal, and my former local insurer, by practice, do not include in their prescription formulary any drug in the form and dosage that is available over the counter. If you need a special (usually higher) dosage, or a special form (like suppository or sublingual drops) not available OTC they will cover, often as a specialtyndrug at high cost. Most Medicare supplements have the same policy.

Once my pulmonologist wrote a scrip and Walgreens filled it for my routine copay. They later notified me BCBS declined, and I was billed the difference between the copay and the retail price.

Sue

I will post a comment if I am billed more for it. I think I paid $10 for the 45 day supply (that is taking 4 (600mg) a day. I believe that the person with my insurance company had to look in a special section to find that it guafenesen was covered, BUT Mucinex is NOT covered.
Walgreens routinely told me that it was not covered because it was a OTC med. "KEEP ON KNOCKING!"

@cate123456 I saw the pulmonary doc this morning and ask him about Mucinex. He said he has patients that swear by the benefits of Mucinex but he said the studies do not support it for NTM patients. I asked if taking it regularly might cause "drying" things out and that could be a possible downside. He said if I wanted to try for myself, he's OK with that whether it is regularly or on a sort of as need basis. Based on that, I plan to use it when the cough gets rough and I don't seem to be able to "clear" or cough stuff out. I really need some good news on how to feel better. Blessings to us all.

I so relate on wanting to feel better!!!
Thanks for sharing your info — It sounds like it’s not dangerous to take it everyday, so let’s hope it works for you!! Sadly I tried to go off Budesonide and I’m in really bad shape with Bronchospasming and excess mucus and coughing — started it again but it takes many days to kick in. I’m afraid I’ll need a steroid forever now….sigh.

I have a pulmonologist appt in 10 days and will ask my doc her experience w Mucinex and let you know what she says.

Hi Sue!
I do 30 minutes on elliptical almost every day but @ low level, mind you. I do aerobica on days I can’t exercise. Don’t nebulize except when I’m sick. Only did saline once @ hospital and it didn’t work and I had a reaction…. Don’t know if from solution itself, panic attack or what but it was awful!! Blood pressure shot up, shaking, freezing, tingling in extremities , SOB, etc. I actually have appt today @ UNC with pulmonologist- got my list of questions!!
Happy Valentines Day!
Dee