Alcohol can cause several types of side effects, including dangerous or life-threatening symptoms, when mixed with medications. One medication that is sometimes used at the same time as alcohol is Mucinex. Despite being an over-the-counter medication, combining Mucinex and alcohol can lead to hazardous side effects.
Article at a Glance:
Mixing alcohol and Mucinex can be dangerous or harmful. Some of the key points about mixing the two to keep in mind are:
Mucinex is an over-the-counter medication that comes in different varieties for different purposes
Mucinex primarily contains guaifenesin and dextromethorphan
Alcohol mixed with Mucinex can have unintended side effects, and result in serious injuries
Because Mucinex can make people drowsy, the alcohol making people uncoordinated only adds to the risk of sustaining an injury
Mucinex and Alcohol
Alcohol can cause several types of side effects, including dangerous or life-threatening symptoms, when mixed with medications. One medication that is sometimes used at the same time as alcohol is Mucinex.
The brand name Mucinex includes several over-the-counter medications with slightly different names such as Mucinex, Mucinex DM, Mucinex Fast-Max and Mucinex Sinus-Max. Each of these variations includes a combination of medications designed to help with coughs, congestion and cold symptoms. The main ingredients that are consistent throughout Mucinex medications are guaifenesin and dextromethorphan. Both of these ingredients help with coughing or congestion.
Side Effects of Mixing Mucinex and Alcohol
Mixing alcohol and Mucinex can cause many possible side effects, some of which can be dangerous. These side effects include:
- Increased side effects of the medications
- Increased intoxication
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Negative interactions with other medications
Increased Side Effects
Mixing alcohol and Mucinex can intensify the side effects of Mucinex. Most people don’t experience any significant side effects from taking Mucinex. When you drink alcohol with Mucinex, people who do experience side effects will likely feel those side effects intensify. People who do not experience side effects when taking Mucinex may find that they start to develop side effects when Mucinex is mixed with alcohol.
Increased Intoxication
Taking Mucinex and alcohol at the same time may lead to increased intoxication. When the body tries to metabolize two substances instead of one, it slows down, which can lead to longer and stronger alcoholic effects. The heightened intoxication may lead to an increased risk of injury and an underestimation of the effects of alcohol. This side effect can be particularly dangerous when driving or doing tasks that require concentration.
Dizziness and Drowsiness
When alcohol and Mucinex are mixed, it can increase a person’s dizziness and drowsiness. A person experienced an increased risk of sustaining an injury when these side effects occur alongside the increased intoxication. Something as mundane as riding a bicycle could become dangerous or even deadly when Mucinex and alcohol are combined.
Side Effects of Consuming Alcohol on Other Mucinex Variations
While Mucinex primarily contains the active ingredients guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, most variations of Mucinex contain other medications designed to help with a variety of symptoms. These additional medications may also mix with alcohol in unanticipated ways that could be dangerous.
Mixing Alcohol and Mucinex FastMax
Mucinex FastMax is an over-the-counter drug that has multiple ingredients. FastMax is a line of products that contain at least three of the following ingredients:
- Acetaminophen, a pain reliever
- Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant
- Guaifenesin, a mucolytic, which breaks up mucus
- Phenylephrine, a decongestant
Out of these ingredients, both acetaminophen and dextromethorphan have safety concerns when used with alcohol.
Mixing acetaminophen with alcohol can increase your risk of liver problems, so it is best to avoid combining them. Contact your doctor immediately if you take these substances together and notice side effects that may indicate liver damage:
- Fever
- Chills
- Joint pain or swelling
- Excessive fatigue or weakness
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Itchy skin or a rash
- Appetite loss
- Nausea or vomiting
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Mixing alcohol with dextromethorphan can increase the risk of other side effects, like:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Impaired thinking or judgment
Mixing Alcohol and Mucinex D
Mucinex D contains a mucolytic, guaifenesin, and a decongestant, pseudoephedrine. This combination does not have any known drug interactions with alcohol.
Mixing Alcohol and Mucinex DM
Mucinex DM typically contains only two active ingredients, guaifenesin and dextromethorphan. While guaifenesin does not have any drug interactions with alcohol, mixing dextromethorphan and alcohol can increase the risk of central nervous system side effects:
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Problems with thinking or judgment
If you or a loved one struggle with alcohol use disorder, or are mixing alcohol with other substances, you should consider seeking professional help. The Recovery Village has a proven record of treating alcohol abuse and addiction. Reach out to a representative today to see how we can help you start on the path to full recovery.
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Drugs.com. “Drug Interaction Report: Alcohol and Muc[…]old & Flu.” Accessed February 21, 2022.
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