What is the difference between Mucinex and Mucinex DM

INTRODUCTION

Mucinex and Mucinex DM are medications, both of which are used for treating the same conditions but the vital difference between both is the potency and strength of the medicine. The effectiveness and quickness with which both medications act are also quite variable and different.

Both medications are used for treating cough caused due to various reasons such as flu, bronchitis or other breathing difficulties .These medications cannot be used in treating cough caused due to smoking or any long standing breathing problems like cystic fibrosis, etc . These medications belong to the class of antitussives and cough suppressants. These medications begin to act within fifteen minutes of consumption. These medications are commonly prescribed on regular basis by medical practitioners. The dosage should be prescribed by a medical practitioner and should not be consumed by a child below twelve years; if required should be only taken after a proper medical consultation.

DIFFERENCE IN CONTENTS

Mucinex contains guaifenesin which is an expectorant which helps in making the mucus or sputum less viscous i.e thins it out, thus helping in ejection of mucus out of the respiratory tract. Mucinex DM contains not only guaifenesin as an expectorant, but also contains Dextromethrophan which is a cough suppressant .So primarily Mucinex DM is used for relieving mucus congestion in the nasal tracts and in the chest. It is stronger than plain Mucinex and is able to fight dry and wet cough both as it supresses the cough centre in the brain with the Dextromethrophan content. In addition it can also be used for sinus infection. It helps to control and reduce cough while plain Mucinex is mainly used for clearing the respiratory fluids thereby helping in elimination of mucus secretion as guainfensin helps to thin the phlem enabling us to throw out the mucus.

DIFFERENCE IN DOSAGE

Mucinex should be taken as one or two tablets in 12 hours and not more than 4 tablets should be taken in a day. The tablet’s effect lasts for not more than 6-7 hours .This tablet is not as strong as the other.

On the other hand Mucinex DM should be taken as one tablet every 12 hours and should not be taken more than 2 tablets in one day. The effectiveness of Mucinex DM is more than 12 hours and is stronger than Mucinex.

Both these tablets have a double layer, in which the immediate release layer starts to act immediately while the the extended release layer of the bilayer provides relief up to 12 hours.

DIFFERENCE IN AVAILABILITY

Mucinex usually comes in packets of 20, 40, 60 and 100 tablets. Mucinex DM is available in packets of 20 and 40 tablets.

SUMMARY

Both are drugs which are prescribed by a medical practitioner commonly for cold and cough especially in cases with severe mucus. Both medications contain an expectorant which help in thinning out the mucus but apart from this, Mucinex DM has a cough suppressant which helps relieve all types of cough. It is important to try Mucinex first before trying Mucinex DM. Mucinex DM is a stronger medicine as compared to Mucinex.It is important not to self-medicate oneself without a proper medical consultation.

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