Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD
Sudafed and Mucinex are popular cough and cold medications that relieve congestion. However, they are part of separate drug classes and work in different ways.
Sudafed contains pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that narrows the blood vessels in the nostrils to reduce swelling and promote nasal and sinus drainage. Mucinex contains guaifenesin, an expectorant that helps loosen and thin mucus in the airways, making it easier to be blown out or coughed up.
Though they are both available without a prescription, Mucinex can be purchased over the counter (OTC), while Sudafed is sold behind the counter, requires an ID, and can only be purchased in limited quantities without a prescription.
This article will discuss the differences and similarities between Sudafed and Mucinex.
Sudafed vs. Mucinex: Key Differences
Sudafed
Available as a tablet and liquid
Works by narrowing blood vessels in the nostrils to reduce swelling and promote nasal and sinus drainage, relieve nasal congestion,sinus congestionand sinus pressure
Available as a generic
Sudafed Sinus Congestion (pseudoephedrine) in a 30 milligram (mg) tablet; Sudafed Sinus Congestion 12 Hour (pseudoephedrine) in a 120 mg ER tablet; Sudafed Sinus Congestion 24 Hour (pseudoephedrine) in a 240 mg ER tablet; Children's Sudafed Nasal Decongestant (pseudoephedrine) in a 15 mg per 5 milliliter (mL) dose (15 mg/5 mL)
Sold behind the counter
Nondrowsy
If a product contains a D after the name (e.g., Robitussin D), then it contains a decongestant (pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine)
Mucinex
Available as a tablet and solution
Works by thinning or loosening mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up
Available as a generic
Mucinex (guaifenesin) in a 600 mg ER tablet; Mucinex Maximum Strength (guaifenesin) in a 1,200 mg ER tablet; Mucinex Fast-Max Chest Congestion oral solution (guaifenesin) in a 400 mg/20 mL dose
Sold OTC
May cause drowsiness (not common)
Available in many combination OTC products, such as Mucinex Allergy (fexofenadine and guaifenesin) or (guaifenesin and dextromethorphan)
Uses
Sudafed works as a decongestant. It helps to relieve stuffiness and sinus congestion or pressure due to the common cold or seasonal allergies.
Mucinex is an expectorant. It loosens mucus and thins secretions in the lungs. This can help reduce chest congestion and make coughs more productive. You may opt to use Mucinex if your symptoms are related more to chest congestion.
Dosage: How to Take Sudafed vs. Mucinex
Sudafed
The following tables summarize the dosage recommendations for Sudafed products, including:
Sudafed Sinus Congestion
Sudafed Sinus Congestion 12 Hour
Sudafed Sinus Congestion 24 Hour
Children's Sudafed Nasal Decongestant
Sudafed Sinus Congestion | Sudafed Sinus Congestion 12 Hour | Sudafed Sinus Congestion 24 Hour | Children's Sudafed Nasal Decongestant | |
Adults and children 12 and up | Two tablets every four to six hours; do not take more than eight in 24 hours | One tablet every 12 hours; do not exceed two caplets in 24 hours | One tablet every 24 hours; do not exceed one tablet in 24 hours | Do not use |
Children 6 to 11 | One tablet every four to six hours; do not take more than eight in 24 hours | Do not use | Do not use | 10 mL in dosing cup provided every four hours; do not exceed 40 mL in 24 hours |
Children 4 to 5 | Do not use | Do not use | Do not use | 5 mL in dosing cup every four hours; do not exceed 20 mL in 24 hours |
Children under 4 | Do not use | Do not use | Do not use | Do not use |
Mucinex
Mucinex also comes in various product types, including:
Mucinex extended release (ER)
Mucinex Maximum Strength
Mucinex Fast-Max Chest Congestion Oral Solution
Mucinex ER | Mucinex Maximum Strength | Mucinex Fast-Max Chest Congestion Oral Solution | |
Adults and Children 12 and up | One to two tablets every 12 hours; do not exceed four in 24 hours | One tablet every 12 hours; do not exceed two in 24 hours | 20 mL in the dosing cup provided every four hours; no more than six doses in 24 hours |
Children under 12 | Do not use | Do not use | Do not use |
How Long Does Sudafed vs. Mucinex Take to Work?
In immediate-release formulations, most Sudafed and Mucinex products start working 30 minutes after a dose. The ER formulations may take up to one hour for some products to take effect.
Which Works Better?
Sudafed and Mucinex are both effective at treating different cold and allergy symptoms.
Sudafed can effectively relieve nasal congestion experienced in colds and allergies. At the same time, Mucinex can help loosen thin mucus in the chest and effectively treat coughs and chest congestion caused by conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia.
If you are experiencing nasal congestion and need fast relief, Sudafed may be your better option. However, if you have chest congestion and need to loosen and thin mucus, Mucinex may be the more effective choice.
Side Effects & Safety Precautions
Side effects are possible with Sudafed and Mucinex. Moreover, there are a few safety considerations to account for when choosing which medication to take.
Sudafed
Possible side effects experienced with Sudafed include:
Anxiety
Decreased appetite
Dizziness
Dry mouth, nose, or throat
Fast heart rate
Headache
Increased blood pressure
Insomnia
Nausea
Palpitations
Restlessness
Urinary problems
Serious side effects that may be experienced with Sudafed include:
Irregular heartbeat
Hallucinations
Hypertension
Severe skin reactions
Psychological dependence
Do not take Sudafed if you:
Are allergic to Sudafed or any of its ingredients
Have used monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days
Are pregnant, particularly in the first trimester
Have urinary retention
Have angle-closure glaucoma
Uncontrolled or severe hypertension
Mucinex
Possible side effects experienced with Mucinex include:
Rash
Headache
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Serious side effects that may be experienced with Mucinex include kidney stones.
Do not take Mucinex if you are allergic to Mucinex or any of its ingredients.
Drug Interactions
Certain drugs can interact with Sudafed, potentially increasing the risk of severely high blood pressure when taken together. These include:
MAOIs, such as isocarboxazid or tranylcypromine (do not take within 14 days of each other)
Migranal, Trudhesa (dihydroergotamine)
Zyvox (linezolid)
Akovaz (ephedrine)
Sudafed PE (phenylephrine)
Parlodel, Cycloset (bromocriptine)
Mucinex does not have any major drug interactions. However, Mucinex DM (a combination of guaifenesin and dextromethorphan) should not be taken within 14 days of MAO inhibitors.
If taking a combination product with Sudafed or Mucinex, always be aware of all ingredients and their potential interactions. Ask your healthcare provider or a pharmacist if you're unsure.
Summary
Sudafed and Mucinex are two popular OTC medications used to treat symptoms of cold, flu, allergies, and sinus infections. While both can help relieve congestion, they work differently.
Sudafed narrows blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce inflammation and relieve congestion. Mucinex loosens and thins mucus in the airways, making it easier to blow out or cough up.
So, if you have a stuffy nose, Sudafed may be the better choice, while Mucinex may be more helpful if you have a lot of mucus buildup.
It's important to read and follow the instructions on the product label and consult with a healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take Sudafed or Mucinex while pregnant?
No. If you are pregnant, it's important to talk to a healthcare professional before taking any medication.
Sudafed is not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, because it may harm the growing fetus.
Mucinex is considered safe during pregnancy, as there is no scientific evidence of fetal harm. However, you should still discuss this with your healthcare provider before taking it while pregnant.
Can I take Sudafed or Mucinex for a sinus infection?
Sinus infections are caused by fluid accumulation in the sinuses that allows germs to grow. While most infections resolve on their own, antibiotics may be necessary in some cases.
To help relieve symptoms of sinus pain and pressure, your healthcare provider may recommend a warm compress, analgesics, decongestant, intranasal steroids, saline nasal spray, or inhaling steam. Research shows that intranasal steroids are more effective than decongestants in relieving sinus pressure in sinus infections. Mucinex may help loosen nasal mucus, but its use in sinus infections is not backed by research.
Are there other available OTC decongestants I can take?
Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) is an OTC decongestant that relieves sinus congestion, sinus pressure, and nasal congestion. It is less effective than Sudafed because it is broken down in the gut and liver, resulting in less absorption into the bloodstream. It comes in tablets, liquid, and nasal forms. It is not available in ER formulations like Sudafed.
Some OTC products are also available under the Sudafed PE brand and contain phenylephrine combined with pain relievers, expectorants, or cough suppressants.