Nasal congestion can be really annoying. Fortunately, there are many decongesting medications available on the market today. Mucinex and Sudafed are both medications used to relieve the nasal congestion. These medications are mostly over-the-counter medications which can be bought without a prescription. However, can you take the two medications together?

Can You Take Mucinex and Sudafed Together?

Yes, you can take these two medications at the same time. Today, there are a lot of pharmaceutical companies that produce Mucinex and Sudafed as a combination into one pill, which is more suitable for many patients.

Mucinex helps the mucus break up in the sinuses or lungs, while Sudafed is a great decongestant. This means that when these two medications are combined together, or when these medications are taken as a single pill, the treatment efficacy will be greater, helping you remove excessive mucus secretion accumulated in the airways.

However, some Mucinex medications such as Mucinex D and Mucinex DM already contain pseudoephedrine. When they are taken with Sudafed, you may end up taking too much pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine’s sympathomimetic effects on the heart and circulatory system can cause side effects. In cases when you notice one or more of the following signs, consult your doctor immediately:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Faster heartbeat
• Mental changes
• Mood changes
• Swelling
• Difficulties breathing
• Difficulties urinating, etc.

Tips for Safe Use of the Two Medications

Can you take Mucinex and Sudafed together? Normally, you can. But keep the following tips in mind beforehand.

• Don’t take Mucinex and Sudafed when you are using MAO inhibitors in the last 14 days, such as selegiline, rasagiline, phenelzine, etc. When taken together, serious drug interactions can occur, leading to side effects and complications.
• Don’t drink alcoholic beverages or limit their use when taking Mucinex and Sudafed.
• Don’t drive, use machinery or perform any activity that requires you to be alert, as Sudafed can make you dizzy.
• Tell your doctor if you are suffering from high blood pressure, heart diseases, thyroid disorders or diabetes. 
• Children are more likely to have problems with restlessness after taking Sudafed.
• Elderly patients are more likely to have problems with an irregular heartbeat, faster heartbeat, difficulties urinating, difficulties sleeping, confusion or dizziness after taking Sudafed.
• Don’t take these medications if you are allergic to pseudoephedrine.
• Tell your doctor if you are allergic or have had any reaction to other sympathomimetics such as ephedrine or phenylephrine.
• Don’t use Mucinex and Sudafed if you are pregnant without consulting your doctor first. There is not enough scientific evidence whether these two drugs are not harmful to the developing fetus.

Medications/Substances That Can Interact with Mucinex

Can you take Mucinex and Sudafed together? It has been answered. Does any medication interact with Mucinex? Yes. Mucinex contains guaifenesin which is found in both prescription and non-prescription products. Check the product labels carefully to ensure other medications don't contain guaifenesin to avoid overdose.

Drug interactions mainly occur when Mucinex D or Mucinex DM are taken at the same time with other medications.

Mucinex D

Mucinex D is a combination medicine that is commonly used for the treatment of common cold, allergies and infections. This medication can be bought without a prescription. However, before taking Mucinex D you should consult your doctor in the following situations:

• You are taking any medications for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart problems.
• You are taking antidepressants.
• You are taking stimulants such as ADHD medications.
• You are taking methyldopa.
• You are taking other cold and cough medications.
• You are taking diet pills, especially diet pills containing caffeine.

Also remember that:

• Don’t take Mucinex D together with alcohol. 
• Don’t eat large amounts of chocolates as well.

Mucinex DM

Mucinex DM is a combined medication containing guaifenesin, an expectorant, and dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant. This medication can be bought without a prescription. However, before taking Mucinex DM you should remember that:

• Don’t take Mucinex DM when taking other antidepressants and drugs for Parkinson’s disease.
• Don’t drink alcoholic beverages while taking Mucinex DM.
• Don’t drink grapefruit and other citrus products while taking Mucinex DM.

Medications/Substances That Can Interact with Sudafed

Can you take Mucinex and Sudafed together? You already know the answer. Interactions with Sudafed and other medications mostly occur due to Sudafed’s main ingredient, pseudoephedrine. It is well known that pseudoephedrine interacts with the following medications:

• Antidepressants
• Beta blockers
• Antihypertensive medications
• Digitalis
• Sympathomimetic amines such as ephedrine, amphetamine, methamphetamines, etc.

For safe use of Sudafed, you should:

• Talk to your doctor if you are taking any herbal medications, vitamin or diet supplements, etc.
• Avoid large amounts of caffeine when taking Sudafed as the side effects of pseudoephedrine can just get worse.