- If you are experiencing cold symptoms, then Sudafed and Mucinex are two of the most common over-the-counter medicines. The main difference between both the medicines is that Sudafed is used to get relief from pain due to coughing and congestion. On the other hand, Mucinex works by loosening the mucus in your chest so that it’s easier for you to cough it out. Today, we will explain both the medicines in detail to know which one to use whenever you fall victim to cough and cold.
Introduction To Mucinex And Sudafed
When it comes to all those medicines that contain Guaifenesin like Mucinex, you’ll start noticing and feeling relief after about an hour. However, Sudafed works fast, and you’ll witness the improvement within 30 minutes.
Sudafed is one of the most popular over-the-counter medicines out there. It’s best for anyone who’s experiencing cold, congestion, or even has a stuffy nose. This medicine contains pseudoephedrine which is best to thin down your mucus, and it also works wonders when it comes to reducing fever. You can also use it to get some relief from your stuffy nose, as Sudafed also works as a decongestant.
The downside of using this medicine is that it can cause high blood pressure if taken consecutively for more than three days. On the other hand, Mucinex is an antihistamine that can help you with congestion, chest pain, runny or stuffy nose, and it even helps if you have watery eyes. With Mucinex, you won’t have to worry about any side effects like high blood pressure, but it’ll only work for you for a certain period.
The main difference is that Sudafed is best for those who want quick relief from their nasal congestion, and Mucinex is best for those prone to allergies. Both the medicines work quickly, but Sudafed should be taken carefully as it has side effects, whereas Mucinex has no side effects.
All You Need To Know About Sudafed
Sudafed works best for relief from nasal congestion sinus pain, and it even helps reduce fever that’s explicitly caused due to flu or cold. You must know about this medicine because it does not treat your condition, but yes, it does help make you feel better. You should take Sudafed carefully because consecutive use of this medicine can cause high blood pressure. Now, for example, if you already have high blood pressure, chest pain, and, on top of it, you have a myocardial infarction, then Sudafed sure won’t be the correct medicine for you. Consuming it will make things worse for you, so you must take this medicine after consulting your doctor first. Especially if you have sinus issues, this medicine will be the best suitable option here because Sudafed shrinks the blood vessels in your sinuses, and that’s where you get all the relief from.
All You Need To Know About Mucinex
Most people out there find Sudafed more effective when providing them some relief from nasal congestion or stuffy nose etc. The reason is that Sudafed does not have any decongestant effects on your lungs, and however, Mucinex does have that effect which is why it helps in loosening the mucus and phlegm that’s trapped inside the upper airways of your lungs.
As far as the timing of these medicines is concerned, Mucinex and Sudafed both can work for you for up to 4 to 6 hours. You can take four tablets of Mucinex and 6 of Sudafed.
The Main Difference between Mucinex and Sudafed
Sudafed Vs. Mucinex has always been the talk of the town, and most people aren’t clear about which medicine is the best for them when they have a cold. Sudafed works by shrinking the blood vessels inside your nose, which helps drain the mucus quickly. What’s best is that Sudafed can also help you wake up in the morning and feel fresh because it contains caffeine. You can buy Sudafed easily in the form of nasal spray, tablet, or capsule.
Mucinex is the most effective cold medicine that helps fight allergies in no time. It works by loosening up the mucus that’s stuck inside the upper airways of your lungs, and then it’s easier for you to move the chest congestion out. Mucinex is a medicine that you can consume for both colds and allergies. Both the medication can cause nausea, and it all depends on you. Some people don’t experience any sickness, and some experience a little bit of it.
Mucinex Side Effects and Sufaded Side Effects
Just like any over-the-counter medicine for cold or allergies, Sudafed and Mucinex both have some side effects. When it comes to Sudafed, you might experience slight dizziness or headache. And on the other hand, with Mucinex, you might experience constipation, vomiting, and nausea.
Sudafed isn’t recommended for pregnant women or people with high blood pressure issues, and Mucinex is not recommended for elderly patients. Sudafed won’t make you sleepy, but Mucinex will. Because Sudafed contains Guaifenesin, some people can experience slight drowsiness when mixed with tobacco or alcohol.
The Right Time To Consume These Medicines
Sudafed is an over-the-counter medicine, so you can easily buy it from any pharmacy. However, for Mucinex, you’d require a proper prescription first. They both work wonders when it comes to giving relief to patients suffering from cold or nasal congestion. There are minor differences between both the medicines, so it all depends on who is consuming them.
To buy Sudafed, you are supposed to be older than 18. It’s essential that you first talk to your doctor about it and then get a prescription because sometimes, Sudafed does react if it’s taken with antidepressants and other such medicines. If you have any other issues like blood pressure or diabetes, it’s highly recommended that you first consult your doctor and then decide.
Sudafed Vs. Mucinex-What’s More Affordable?
Mucinex has been in the market for years now, so there once was a time when Sudafed was more expensive than Mucinex. With time, the owner of Sudafed reduced the medicine prices, and it’s even available without any prescription, so it has always been the priority for people looking for instant relief from cold and congestion.
Sudafed Vs. Mucinex-The Winner
It’s hard to say which medicine is better for those who want some relief from nasal or chest congestion because both drugs have the same workings. They both help with a stuffy nose, and they both are best for treating colds. Now the main difference is between the timing. For example, Sudafed can provide you temporary relief, and then there’s Mucinex that’ll work as a cure for your cold and will give permanent relief when taken 3 to 4 times. In a nutshell, the winner here is Mucinex because first, it has little to no side effects, and secondly, it can provide instant and permanent relief to those suffering from cold.
More About Mucinex
Children’s Mucinex Reviews
- “Children’s Mucinex is a life-saver for my children! I’ve always known that it helped with congestion, but now they tell me it’s also great at getting rid of the mucus in their chests. Children’s Mucinex does make those hacking coughs go away quickly, so we’re all happy about that news.”
- “I have two young children, and it’s so hard to find over-the-counter medicines that work for them. I was thrilled when I saw that Mucinex made a cough suppressant for children. My kids don’t fight me when it comes to taking medicine, but they have liked the taste of this cough suppressant, and I never see an ugly face when I give it to them. It’s not fun for them to cough all night or not be able to breathe. I give them this Mucinex Children’s Expectorant Cough Suppressant. As it doesn’t exactly make the cough go right away, I can start to hear that when they cough, it’s bringing some of the Phlem up and making the cough work better by getting all of that mucus out of their system. I feel that it has helped them get over these colds a lot quicker because it helps their little bodies get that mucus out of their system and allows for their bodies to heal themselves.”
- “I love the Mucinex brand. I use it myself, so I had no problem giving it to my daughter when she had a cold that produced so much mucus it would make her vomit. She loves the berry taste, although I find it to be a tad too medicine-y myself (Yes, I tried it when I was pregnant with my second daughter and was being made sick by the mucus draining down my own throat – I figured if it were safe for children, it would be safe for baby – especially since I wasn’t taking a total dose). It didn’t take care of all my daughter’s cold symptoms (or mine), but it did help (both of us). She seemed to choke less, and I could breathe a little easier. I guess that no medicine is an absolute cure-all, but this one comes pretty close. And I love that it’s safe enough to even give to toddlers. Note: Since my daughter is two, she only gets a half dose, and a total quantity would not be safe for a child that age. Always check with your doctor before giving your child any medicine.”