Mucinex vs. NyQuil : Differences Worth Knowing

While suffering from cold and cough symptoms, we fail to find relief from any home remedies. These days there are many over-the-counter (OTC) remedies available for treating the common symptoms associated with the common cold and flu to allergies even. Mucinex D and Nyquil Cold & Flu are two of the most common OTC medications that are readily available. While both are immensely popular, how do we determine which one is the correct medication for our particular situation? Let’s take a look at how each drug treats symptoms as well as their interactions, side effects, and commonly associated warnings with these two popularly used medications.

The biggest difference between Mucinex D and NyQuil lies in their active ingredients and the manner, in which these medicines work to treat the symptoms.
Mucinex D is used for treating chest congestion and the main ingredients in Mucinex are guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine. Guaifenesin is an expectorant and it helps in treating congestion by thinning the mucus that lines your airways. It loosens up the mucus and helps you cough it out. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant and works by shrinking the blood vessels in the nasal passages, giving relief from nasal congestion.

NyQuil gives relief in the symptoms of common cold and flu, including a cough, fever, nasal congestion, body aches, headache, sneezing, and runny nose. The active ingredients in NyQuil include doxylamine, acetaminophen, and dextromethorphan. These active ingredients function differently than the ones present in Mucinex D. Let Us Take A Look At How They Function:

• Acetaminophen works primarily as a pain reliever and it reduces fever by changing the manner in which your body feels pain and regulates body temperature.
• Doxylamine blocks the production of histamines in the body. Histamines are responsible for causing allergy symptoms such as an itchy nose, runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, and more.
• Dextromethorphan suppresses the signals coming from your brain that causes your coughing reflex.
• These three active ingredients work together to provide the relief you get from using NyQuil.

It is possible to use Mucinex D throughout the day, as it is an extended-release tablet. However, you will have to use NyQuil at night only to allow your body to sleep and recover. The active ingredient in Nyquil, doxylamine, causes drowsiness, thus allowing you to get some rest.

Both these medications are only suited for people who are 12 years and older. In some cases, NyQuil can be given to children between the ages of 4 and 11 years as well.
The recommended dosage for both the drugs depends on which form you are taking the medication in. If you are unsure, then it is best to go with the recommended dosage that comes on the package instructions. For children, it is best to ask your doctor about the proper dosage.

Many medications often tend to interact with other medications. Drug interactions interfere with the effectiveness of the medications as they tend to decrease or increase the effect of other medications. Interactions may also increase the risk of side effects. While there are no significant interactions associated with the active ingredients of Mucinex D, all of the three active ingredients present in NyQuil have known interactions with other medications.

To Begin With, Acetaminophen Is Known To Interact With The Following:

• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• isoniazid
• phenobarbital
• phenothiazines
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• warfarin

Doxylamine Interacts With The Following Medications:

• Opioids such as hydrocodone, fentanyl, morphine, and methadone
• linezolid
• selegiline
• isocarboxazid
• phenelzine
• tranylcypromine

Dextromethorphan Interacts With The Following:

• selegiline
• phenelzine (Nardil)
• isocarboxazid
• tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Coming to side effects of both these medications, Mucinex D and NyQuil are known to have some side effects. While there is no risk of serious side effects associated with Mucinex D, the same cannot be said for NyQuil. Sometimes your pharmacist can recommend a remedy for dealing with the side effects.

Common side effects of Mucinex include headache, vomiting and/or nausea. On the other hand, NyQuil has been associated with more side effects including a headache, nausea and/or vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, stomach pain, drowsiness, restlessness and nervousness, and dry mouth.

NyQuil is also associated with serious side effects such as blurry vision, difficulty urinating, allergic reactions causing symptoms such as rash, hives, itching, red and peeling skin, blisters on the skin, swelling of the throat, face, lips, tongue, eyes, lower legs, or hands. Difficulty in breathing or swallowing is also associated with NyQuil. If you notice any signs of these serious side effects then immediately stop using the medication and seek medical help.

Do not use Mucinex or NyQuil for more than seven days. If after using for a week, you do not experience any relief in your symptoms, then consult your doctor and stop having these medications. It is always best to consult with your doctor before starting to use any medication to prevent any harmful effects.

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