Can you take benzonatate with mucinex

Several websites will claim that these drugs should not be taken together. The reasoning implies that mucinex is for loosening up mucus so it can be coughed up and expelled. However, if you take benzonatate then your cough will be suppressed and the mucus thinned by Mucinex will not be expelled. However, as noted above studies have shown that taking benzonatate and Mucniex together actually helped reduce coughing.

Remember, your respiratory tract has small hair like structures called cilia that move and help to remove mucus. Therefore thinner mucus can be removed without as much coughing. At the end of the day make sure you discuss taking both medications with your doctor or pharmacist. You should know the answers to the following questions before taking both products. What was your diagnosis or reason for the doctor prescribing benzonatate? Unfortunately almost all over the counter drugs have more than one active ingredient.

This can prove costly and dangerous. Persuasive marketing terms used on packages to sell a products end up in patients taking drugs that interact with other medications or diseases they have.

Many times the extra active ingredients pose no extra benefit to the patient in what they are trying to treat. They almost always cost more as well. Your doctor just wrote you a benzonatate prescription and told you to use Mucinex as well. As you browse the pharmacy isle you see several different types of Mucinex and then what looks to be some generics as well. The single ingredient product, you can tell which that is by looking at the label on the side of the package.

You should only see one ingredient, in this case guaifenesin. Any other product, put back on the shelf! Mucinex is a brand name product. The generic guaifenesin is just as effective and costs less! The easy way to find the generic at the pharmacy is look to the right or left of Mucinex for a store brand or other generic.

You can always ask your pharmacist for help finding the product also. Again with generics read the label and make sure your getting just guaifenesin and not a combination product. Another way to find guaifenesin is to look online.

Retailers such as Amazon sell extended release generic versions of Mucinex, which can be delivered to your home. These drugs are often used in combination cough and cold products. They help to reduce allergy like symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose. They also tend to make you sleepy, which is why they are placed in cough and cold products. Examples include:. They can have unwanted side effects, especially in people with other health conditions.

They can also interact with several other medications. Everyone would like for their nose to be clear and be able to breath easier, right? Well that is why decongestants make their way into many cough and cold products. However, these drugs can keep you up due to their stimulating nature and that is not good when your trying to sleep.

In addition they can raise blood pressure, which is a downside for people for diseases like high blood pressure, cardiac problems or diabetes. Examples of decongestants include:. These medications help relieve cough, similar to benzonatate. However, they do this in a different way. Many contain narcotics which would require a prescription from your doctor.

There are over the counter versions that are non narcotic though. If your already taking benzonatate then taking another drug to stop coughing is normally not needed. This would also open you up to the side effects of these medications.

Many over the counter cough and cold products throw in every ingredient available to try and make you feel better. Many times that includes analgesics, which are used for everyday aches and pains. Some examples include:. The problem is that these medications are often included in other medications the people may already be on. Doubling up by having these in cough medications can set you up for problems.

Make sure to only use a product with analgesic in it if your doctor approves. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Keep from freezing. Keep the capsules in a child-resistant container and store it out of reach of children at all times. Throw any unused medicine by mixing it with used coffee grounds or kitty litter and place it in a sealable bag, empty can, or container.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you or your child are using this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. If your cough has not become better after 7 days or if you have a high fever, skin rash, or continuing headache with the cough, check with your doctor.

These signs may mean that you have other medical problems. Benzonatate overdose can occur in children younger than 10 years of age within 15 to 20 minutes after accidentally taking this medicine. In children under 2 years of age, ingestion of even 1 or 2 capsules has resulted in overdose. Signs and symptoms may include: convulsions seizures , loss of consciousness, restlessness, or trembling or shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet. If your child took this medicine by accident, call the poison control center and go to the hospital immediately.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.

These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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