Guaifenesin (Mucinex) is the expectorant typically found in most OTC cold medications. Its use appears to be safe during pregnancy, with the exception of the first trimester.
Can you take expectorant while pregnant?
Cough. Two major cough medication ingredients—dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) and guaifenesin (an expectorant, which means it loosens up thick mucus)—both appear to be safe during pregnancy, although both have been tested in relatively few studies.
Which cough expectorant is safe in pregnancy?
Expectorants like Mucinex, cough suppressants like Robitussin, vapor rubs like Vicks VapoRub, and cough drops are all considered safe during pregnancy.
What is safe to take for mucus while pregnant?
Decongestant medications reduce stuffiness and sinus pressure by constricting the blood vessels in your nose, which reduces swelling. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are available over the counter as Sudafed and are safe for many women to use during pregnancy.
Is Mucinex expectorant safe during pregnancy?
Mucinex is likely safe to take while breastfeeding and during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Before taking any medication while pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first.
What are some natural expectorants?
Some natural expectorants are honey, steam and peppermint. These work best when taken with a medicinal expectorant. Staying hydrated and drinking up to 8 glasses of water a day, in conjunction with expectorants, will help loosen mucus.
How do you get rid of chest congestion while pregnant?
breathing warm, humid air to help loosen congestion; a facial steamer, hot-mist vaporizer, or even a hot shower can work. chicken soup , to help relieve inflammation and soothe congestion.
What helps a cough while pregnant?
Cough
- To help eliminate secretions, drink plenty of water.
- Dextromethorphan syrup (e.g. Benylin DM) can be used to relieve a dry cough.
- Most cough drops (e.g. Halls) are safe in pregnancy.
- Consult your family doctor if: Your cough persists beyond seven (7) days.
- Avoid preparations containing pseudoephedrine.
What is the home remedy for cough during pregnancy?
Some additional tips that can help relieve excess coughing during pregnancy are:
- Taking sips of water (preferably water that is at room temperature)
- Swallowing 1 spoonful of honey.
- Inhaling steam from a basin of hot water. You can also add 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the hot water.
Can guaifenesin be used during pregnancy?
Guaifenesin (Mucinex) is the expectorant typically found in most OTC cold medications. Its use appears to be safe during pregnancy, with the exception of the first trimester.
How do I take Mucinex while pregnant?
If you want to try it, I recommend using Mucinex Expectorant or Guaifenesin Extended-Release 600 mg tablets, as directed on the box. Or take two teaspoons of plain Robitussin expectorant (with no extra letters) or a generic version of it, three times a day.
Can Mucinex cause a miscarriage?
Based on the data available, guaifenesin is not expected to make it harder to become pregnant. Does taking guaifenesin increase the chance for miscarriage? Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy. Based on the data available, it is not known if guaifenesin increases the chance for miscarriage.
What kind of Mucinex can I take while pregnant?
Cough medicines and cough drops are generally regarded as safe during the second and third trimesters and include those containing dextromethorphan. Brand names are: Mucinex. Robitussin.
Can a pregnant woman take NGC expectorant cough syrup?
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk or if it may harm a nursing infant.
What naturally kills mucus?
Drinking enough liquids, especially warm ones can help with mucus flow. Water and other liquids can loosen your congestion by helping your mucus move. Try sipping liquids, like juice, clear broths, and soup. Other good liquid choices include decaffeinated tea, warm fruit juice, and lemon water.
How do I get rid of mucus stuck in my throat?
Self-care steps
- Gargle with warm salt water. This home remedy can help clear mucus from the back of your throat and may help kill germs.
- Humidify the air.
- Stay hydrated.
- Elevate your head.
- Avoid decongestants.
- Avoid irritants, fragrances, chemicals, and pollution.
- If you smoke, try to stop.
Does pregnancy cause phlegm in throat?
The increase in blood volume and hormone fluctuations during pregnancy may contribute to the increased mucus production that the body expels through the nose. The excess mucus can block the sinuses and drain down the throat, causing postnasal drip and the associated symptoms.
What is an example of an expectorant?
Expectorant: A medication that helps bring up mucus and other material from the lungs, bronchi, and trachea. An example of an expectorant is guaifenesin, which promotes drainage of mucus from the lungs by thinning the mucus, and also lubricates the irritated respiratory tract.
What pregnancy category is guaifenesin?
Guaifenesin is considered pregnancy category C. Guaifenesin has not been studied as extensively as other OTC products. In one study of 197 pregnant women, there was an association between guaifenesin exposure in the first trimester and an increased incidence of inguinal hernias.
What is Mucinex expectorant used for?
This medication is used for the temporary relief of coughs caused by the common cold, bronchitis, and other breathing illnesses. This product is usually not used for ongoing cough from smoking or long-term breathing problems (such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema) unless directed by your doctor.
How does Mucinex expectorant work?
Mucinex is a brand (trade) name for guaifenesin. Guaifenesin increases the volume and reduces the viscosity (stickiness) of respiratory tract secretions. This makes it easier for mucus trapped in the airways to be coughed out. Mucinex belongs to the class of medicines known as expectorants.
When should I take guaifenesin to get pregnant?
If you really want to try cough mixture to help you conceive, choose a medicine in which the only active ingredient is guaifenesin. Start taking it just before you’re due to ovulate. Find out if using vaginal lubricants can help you to get pregnant.
Does Mucinex cause birth defects?
Is guaifenesin safe during pregnancy? It’s not clear; little evidence supports or refutes the safety of guaifenesin, a common expectorant, in pregnancy. A small number of observational and case-control studies suggest a weak association between guaifenesin use and inguinal hernias and neural tube defects in newborns.
Is Mucinex DM safe during pregnancy first trimester?
Dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan is an over-the-counter cough medicine that is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy.
What is a good expectorant cough syrup?
Guaifenesin: Guaifenesin is the most commonly used expectorant. It is the active ingredient in medicines including Mucinex® and Robitussin®. You can find guaifenesin in many common cough, cold and flu medications.
Is lemon an expectorant?
When the dose of lemon oil was increased to amounts which imparted a definite or strong odour of lemon to inhaled air, the expectorant action declined. The expectorant action of inhaled lemon oil was found to be due, in part, to the expectorant action of two of its ingredients, limonene and pinene.
What is the most effective expectorant?
Guaifenesin: Often known by its brand name Mucinex (Mucinex coupons | What is Mucinex?), guaifenesin is the only OTC expectorant available to help relieve symptoms from colds. It works to relieve chest congestion and is often combined with pseudoephedrine to relieve multiple symptoms.
Does expectorant clear sinus?
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It works by thinning and loosening mucus in the airways, clearing congestion, and making breathing easier. Phenylephrine is a decongestant (sympathomimetic). It reduces nasal congestion by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose.
What fruits break up mucus?
Pineapple is a fruit which can help in eliminating mucus. Pineapple juice contains a mixture of enzymes called bromelain. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties which can help with respiratory problems that are associated with asthma and allergies.
What is the fastest way to get mucus out of your lungs?
Use your stomach muscles to forcefully expel the air. Avoid a hacking cough or merely clearing the throat. A deep cough is less tiring and more effective in clearing mucus out of the lungs. Huff Coughing: Huff coughing, or huffing, is an alternative to deep coughing if you have trouble clearing your mucus.
Why do I feel like I have mucus stuck in my throat?
When mucus starts to build up or trickle down the back of the throat, this is known as postnasal drip. Causes of postnasal drip include infections, allergies, and acid reflux. As well as feeling the need to clear the throat frequently, a person with postnasal drip may also experience: a sore throat.
Can mucus in your throat make it hard to swallow?
The thick saliva and mucus in your mouth may make it more difficult for you to swallow.
Is expectorant for dry cough?
Cough expectorants are used more commonly for wet coughs, rather than dry coughs as they thin any mucus in your throat, making it easier to cough up and expel. The OTC expectorant drug is guaifenesin, with popular brand names including Mucinex and Robitussin Chest Congestion.
Does Covid cough has phlegm?
A dry cough is one of the most common coronavirus symptoms, but some people may have a cough with phlegm (thick mucus). It can be difficult to control your cough but there are a few ways to help.
Why am I so phlegm while pregnant?
There’s a strong link between pregnancy and post-nasal drip. During pregnancy, the body produces excessive amounts of mucus that the body expels through the nose. Unfortunately, the excess mucus can clog the sinuses and begin to drain down the throat, causing irritation.
Should you take an expectorant at night?
Expectorants are better for breaking up wet, productive coughs, but don’t take them near bedtime.
Do expectorants make you cough more?
An expectorant will cause you to cough more to clear congestion from the respiratory tract. While you can take it at night, it will not help you sleep and may keep you awake.
Can you take an expectorant with Covid?
Try cough medicine.
If you have a wet cough with lots of mucus, you want to take an expectorant to help get the mucus out. If you have a dry cough, a cough suppressant is what you want.
Should I take a cough suppressant or expectorant?
Cough suppressants won’t be helpful, but expectorants can be beneficial. Expectorants will increase the production of mucus and make it more effective. The extra mucus may help clear the infection quicker.
Is Mucinex an expectorant?
Active ingredients
Mucinex and Mucinex DM both contain the drug guaifenesin. This is an expectorant. It helps loosen mucus from your lungs so that your coughs are more productive. A productive cough brings up the mucus that causes chest congestion.
Can Mucinex make mucus worse?
“I’m reading a lot of reports of Mucinex making people feel worse, as is the case with me. The main ingredient apparently thins down your mucus so basically, while already sick, this medicine gives you a runny nose.
Lozenges, cough drops, and over-the-counter medicines such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin and others) and guaifenesin (Mucinex and others) can help with the cough that often comes with COVID-19. Dextromethorphan could be the choice for the dry cough that COVID-19 is best known for; guaifenesin that for wetter coughs.
Is Covid cough wet or dry?
A dry cough with COVID-19 is more common than a cough with mucus (about 50% to 70% of patients have a dry cough). 2 It is possible for a dry cough to become a wet cough over time, however.
How long does it take for Mucinex expectorant to work?
Guaifenesin (Mucinex) starts to work pretty quickly. You can expect to feel its full effects about 30 minutes after your dose.