Taking Mucinex DM & Delsym Together

Our pharmacist answers the latest question regarding whether or not it is okay to take Mucinex DM and Delsym Together.

Question

Is it OK to take Mucinex DM and Delsym together?

Asked by Vance On Oct 24, 2022

Answered by
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Published Oct 24, 2022
Last updated Mar 28, 2024

Key points

  • Mucinex DM and Delsym share a common ingredient (dextromethorphan) and should not be taken together.

Answer

You should not take Delsym along with Mucinex DM as they both contain the same ingredient (dextromethorphan). Combining these products would be considered a 'therapeutic duplication'.

Delsym contains the cough suppressant dextromethorphan.

Mucinex DM contains two drugs, dextromethorphan, and the expectorant, guaifenesin.

Taking both would result in taking a double dose of the dextromethorphan, which could increase the risk of side effects occurring.

You certainly need to be careful when taking multiple over-the-counter medications as many of them share the same ingredients.

The two drugs in question here are a great example of this. Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin are very common ingredients in cold/cold medications which is why it is important to always read the labels of products you are considering taking.

You can simply take Mucinex DM at the recommended dosages to get both an expectorant (guaifenesin) and a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan).

Robitussin DM is an alternative option that also contains guaifenesin and dextromethorphan.

Final Words

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References

About the Pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.

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