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Mucinex does it help you?

Posted by irenea8 @irenea8, Nov 26, 2022

I was just wondering if many people have tried or found Mucinex helps to get mucus out? I am referring to the original one without anything added. I tried a capsule of guaifenesin once and it seemed to have the opposite effect for me of making the mucus harder to expel. Perhaps I did not drink enough water but just wondered if others have found it helpful or not. Or any side effects etc. My pulmo did not comment one way or the other on it's use when i asked so I assume he did not think it important to use.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 28, 2022
In reply to @spider109 "Sue, can I ask how much you take (dose) and how often. I tried both the..." + (show)
@spider109

Sue, can I ask how much you take (dose) and how often. I tried both the 1200 ER, and 600ER, and they both really bothered my stomach with both cramps, & diarrhea. So went to Guaifenison liquid.

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Stomach issues are not usual with plain guaifenesin, so I wonder if you are experiencing a reaction to the binders in the tablet? There are a few generic brands of extended release tablets available, I have found them on-line and occasionally at Walgreens. You might want to try one of those if you prefer a tablet or the 12 hour coverage.

I use 600mg ER twice a day – Since there is no extended release liquids available, you would need to dose 4 times a day. Just be sure whichever one you choose is ONLY guaifenesin – no decongestants or cough suppressants.
Sue

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1 reply
spider109 | @spider109 | Nov 28, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Stomach issues are not usual with plain guaifenesin, so I wonder if you are experiencing a..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Stomach issues are not usual with plain guaifenesin, so I wonder if you are experiencing a reaction to the binders in the tablet? There are a few generic brands of extended release tablets available, I have found them on-line and occasionally at Walgreens. You might want to try one of those if you prefer a tablet or the 12 hour coverage.

I use 600mg ER twice a day – Since there is no extended release liquids available, you would need to dose 4 times a day. Just be sure whichever one you choose is ONLY guaifenesin – no decongestants or cough suppressants.
Sue

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Okay Sue thank-you, I will try the generic brands.

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totty | @totty | Nov 29, 2022
In reply to @ina "A few weeks ago my doctor put me on Mucinex and I am finding it really..." + (show)
@ina

A few weeks ago my doctor put me on Mucinex and I am finding it really helps to get the mucus out. Does anyone know if you can stay on it long term?

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Which Mucinex?

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 29, 2022
In reply to @totty "Which Mucinex?" + (show)
@totty

Which Mucinex?

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The only Mucinex recommended for longer-term use is the pure guaifenesin version. Usually Mucinex 600 mg, sometimes 1200 mg. It is extended release (labelled ER, LA or 12-hour) & used twice a day.

Those containing a decongestant or cough suppressant are meant for short term use only. Short term use Mucinex includes Mucinex DM, Mucinex Sinus, Mucinex FastMax, Mucinex Night Shift and whatever other variations that you see.

Mucinex is available cheaper on-line if you decide to take it long term – it is very pricy in the drug & discount stores. You can also find generic versions – labelled guaifenesin extended release, for significantly less – I am using my third generic brand without any noticeable difference between any of them & the name brand. The short term version may be cheaper, but needs to be taken about every 6 hours for maximum effect, and I find that a pain in the b….
Sue

Sue

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ina | @ina | Nov 29, 2022

To piggyback on Sue’s comment I was at the doctor’s office yesterday and he also said to use pure guaifenesin 600mg with no additives twice a day. He also said I could add a third pill if needed. Thank you Sue for all your great information! I have been struggling alone with this for quite some time and finally thanks to you and this site I don’t feel so alone anymore.

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fab44 | @fab44 | Dec 28, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "@irenea8 Ugh, here comes that answer again...It depends! My mucus is sticky and thick by nature,..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@irenea8 Ugh, here comes that answer again…It depends!

My mucus is sticky and thick by nature, no matter how much water I drink. Before Bronchiectasis, many years before, I lived with chronic ear and sinus infections and my ENT had me take sustained release guaifenesin twice a day. It vastly reduced the frequency of the infections. I had daughters with the same ear/sinus issues, but relatively clear thin mucus. The medication didn't seem to make any difference for them.

Early on in my MAC treatment, the pulmonologist was skeptical about my long term Mucinex use, so I tried stopping, and within days I was having ear pressure and sinuses feeling blocked with thick mucus. It was harder for me to do airway clearance too. Even now, if I skip a day or two, I need extra saline nebs to clear my lungs.

So, I think the answer is that you need to try it, and NAC, to see if it makes any difference for you.

Does anyone else care to share their experience?
Sue

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I have tried Mucinex and NAC (at different times) and it did nothing for me. No change whatsoever! I have also tried Mullein (1200 mg tablet 2 capsules once per day) and no change!

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2 replies
irenea8 | @irenea8 | Dec 29, 2022
In reply to @fab44 "I have tried Mucinex and NAC (at different times) and it did nothing for me. No..." + (show)
@fab44

I have tried Mucinex and NAC (at different times) and it did nothing for me. No change whatsoever! I have also tried Mullein (1200 mg tablet 2 capsules once per day) and no change!

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I get bad insomnia from NAC and it does not help much with mucus anyway. Still experimenting with Mucinex to see if it helps or not. Read a study yesterday that compared the two along with a third thing and Mucinex was found to be the most effective.

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dreher | @dreher | Dec 29, 2022
In reply to @fab44 "I have tried Mucinex and NAC (at different times) and it did nothing for me. No..." + (show)
@fab44

I have tried Mucinex and NAC (at different times) and it did nothing for me. No change whatsoever! I have also tried Mullein (1200 mg tablet 2 capsules once per day) and no change!

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I do use Mucinex on nights when I’m coughing. It does help with that. Good luck!

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