Cold symptoms are typically mild and usually treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
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.
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Children may come down with a cold about six to eight times yearly.
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.
Expectorants help relieve the chest congestion you may have with a cold.
The only expectorant approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States is guaifenesin.
Guaifenesin is the active ingredient in oral cough medications such as Mucinex or Robitussin for Direct Chest Congestion.
Decongestants shrink swollen blood vessels, opening up your nasal passages.
This allows air to pass through your nose and for mucus to drain.
Decongestants are available as tablets or liquids that you take by mouth.
They also come as nasal sprays that are applied directly into the nostrils.
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
Analgesics are drugs used to relieve pain.
Some can also help lower fever.
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.
What Is Mucinex?
Guaifenesin is the single active ingredient in Mucinex.
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.
This is called off-label use.
Guaifenesin is sometimes used off-label to relieve chest congestion due tochronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
However, this article mainly focuses on the version of Mucinex that contains just guaifenesin.
They can include:
What Is DayQuil?
DayQuil is a multi-ingredient cold medication.
The liquid forms of DayQuil are approved for use in adults and children ages 6 years and 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.
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.
Instead, Mucinex children’s versions and liquid forms of DayQuil may be used for younger children.
For these ages, the recommended dosages are the same as for DayQuil capsules and liquid.
Safe Use Guidance
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.
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.
DayQuil contains the active ingredients acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine.
Dextromethorphan
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant.
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.
Talk with a healthcare provider if you have questions about taking phenylephrine for nasal congestion.
Both drugs may have similar side effects and some different ones based on their active ingredients.
Other versions may have different side effects.
Talk with your pharmacist to learn more about the side effects of your cold medications.
If you already have liver problems, check with your pharmacist or another healthcare provider before taking DayQuil.
Potential for Interaction
Mucinex is not known to interact with other drugs.
However, DayQuil may have some interactions.
Because Mucinex and DayQuil have different active ingredients, they treat different cold symptoms.
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 Questions
Store Mucinex tablets at room temperature (6877 degrees F).
DayQuil capsules and liquid should be stored at temperatures above 77 degrees but not frozen.
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 1530 minutes after you take a dose.
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Table 1,Onset, duration, and typical initial doses for analgesics,
