Can you take Benadryl and Mucinex together? 

Can you take Benadryl and Mucinex together?

Yes, you can take Benadryl and Mucinex safely together. Benadryl contains Diphenhydramine, which is a first-generation antihistamine (1). 

It can help relieve a variety of allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, hives, etc. Benadryl is a sedative and it is often used to induce sleep (1). 

Mucinex, on the other hand, contains Guaifenesin. Guaifenesin is an expectorant which soothes your irritated throat and loosens up the thick mucus blocking your airways and removes it effectively (2). 

The combined use of Mucinex and Benadryl is common as there is no known interaction between the two medications. Mucinex can also be used with other antihistamines like Claritin.

Importance of choosing the right Mucinex formulation

Mucinex is available in different varieties with different active ingredients added to it (Guaifenesin being common in all). Let’s specifically talk about Mucinex Maximum Strength Sinus-Max® Day & Night. (3)

The night caplets contain Diphenhydramine and the day caplets contain Guaifenesin. The medication is designed for a variety of cold and flu symptoms (3). 

If you’re taking Mucinex Maximum Strength Sinus-Max® Day & Night, do not take Benadryl. If you’re using Benadryl, I’d recommend opting for the original version of Mucinex, which only contains Guaifenesin. 

Potential risks of taking a high dose of Diphenhydramine

Taking a high dose of Diphenhydramine, which is an antihistamine commonly found in allergy and sleep medications, can lead to several potential risks. These risks may include: (4)

  • Sedation and drowsiness: Taking a higher-than-recommended dose of Diphenhydramine can cause excessive drowsiness and sedation, leading to difficulty in staying awake and performing regular activities.
  • Impaired cognitive function: High doses can impair cognitive function, affecting memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities.
  • Increased heart rate: Taking too much Diphenhydramine can lead to an increased heart rate, which may be concerning for individuals with heart conditions.
  • Dry mouth and throat: Overdosing on Diphenhydramine may result in severe dryness of the mouth and throat.
  • Blurred vision: High doses can cause blurred vision and difficulty in focusing on objects.
  • Urinary retention: It may lead to difficulty in urination or urinary retention.
  • Agitation and nervousness: In some cases, taking too much Diphenhydramine may cause agitation and nervousness.
  • Serious allergic reactions: Although rare, taking a high dose of Diphenhydramine can lead to serious allergic reactions, requiring immediate medical attention.

It’s important to follow the recommended dosage guidelines and consult a healthcare professional before taking any medication, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

Final words

To sum up, it’s safe to take Benadryl with the original Mucinex formulation. However, you should always check the labels before you combine such OTC medications. Some of them may contain similar ingredients or ingredients that may not be compatible with one another.

This is why it’s important to be careful when it comes to OTC medications. 

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References

1.-

Sicari V, Zabbo CP. Diphenhydramine. 2022 Jul 11. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30252266. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526010

2.-

LABEL: MUCINEX- guaifenesin tablet, extended-release. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=dd379cdd-90ab-42e0-ad89-f50d3220f611&type=pdf

3.-

LABEL: MUCINEX SINUS-MAX DAY NIGHT- acetaminophen, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, guaifenesin, phenylephrine hydrochloride kit. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=ae33d924-9262-41f6-964f-d8b567b3d903&type=pdf

4.-

Huynh DA, Abbas M, Dabaja A. Diphenhydramine Toxicity. 2023 Apr 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32491510. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557578