Why Was Mucinex Allergy Discontinued

What Happens When You Go To The Counter

Instead of having products containing pseudoephedrine on the shelves, many pharmacies put cards with a photo and description of the medication on the display. This allows you to select what you want and bring it up to the pharmacist at the counter.

Also know that the pharmacy is supposed to be keeping track of your purchases of the behind-the-counter medications. Amy Lanctot, CVS spokesperson, tells SheKnows all their pharmacies are connected to the MethCheck database, and their electronic log system prevents sales of drugs that contain pseudoephedrine to an individual beyond the permissible limits set by federal and state laws.

What Are Some Side Effects That I Need To Call My Doctor About Right Away

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash hives itching red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever wheezing tightness in the chest or throat trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
• A very bad skin reaction may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin red or irritated eyes or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

What Is Rebound Congestion Exactly

Nasal congestion itself occurs when illness, allergies or something else causes the blood vessels in your nasal passageways to become inflamed and swollen. The result is a “stuffy” nose.

“There are various types of decongestants available to help relieve congestion, and they do so by acting as a vasoconstrictor of these inflamed blood vessels, shrinking them to relieve the swelling and congestion so you can breathe easier,” says Dr. Ahmed.

Rebound congestion, though, isn’t your typical nasal congestion.

It’s not brought on by allergies or an upper respiratory cold. Instead, the congestion is caused worsened by using nasal decongestant sprays for more than three days in a row.

“Since nasal decongestant sprays deliver the decongestant in a localized manner, these products relieve nasal congestion almost immediately,” says Dr. Ahmed.

That’s the great thing about these sprays. They provide congestion relief in just minutes.

Unfortunately, that’s not where the story ends.

“With continued use of these sprays, however, the blood vessels in your nasal passageways become sensitized to their active ingredients,” explains Dr. Ahmed. “Once your blood vessels come to expect the vasoconstriction provided by the spray, it has this paradoxical effect where, as the medication wears off, the blood vessels react by swelling back up causing what’s called rebound’ congestion.”

Recommended Reading: Can Allergies Make You Dizzy

What Do I Need To Tell My Doctor Before I Take Mucinex Sinus

• If you are allergic to Mucinex Sinus-Max any part of Mucinex Sinus-Max or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson’s disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine,tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
• If you have a cough with a lot of mucus.
• If you have a long-term cough caused by smoking or being around smoke, or lung problems like asthma or emphysema.
• If you have liver disease.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Mucinex Sinus-Max .

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Mucinex Sinus-Max with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

How Do You Get Rid Of Rebound Congestion

If you’ve only been using a nasal decongestant spray for a week or so to deal with a head cold, the flu or COVID-19 and your rebound congestion is new, you may be able to quit a nasal decongestant spray without any problem.

If you’ve been using a spray for months or years, however, Dr. Ahmed recommends working with your doctor to form a plan to quit the spray.

“I actually give my patients a specific regimen to follow,” says Dr. Ahmed. “I have them use the spray at night and in just one nostril only. In the meantime, I also have them start a nasal steroid spray, like Flonase, and use a saline spray to help keep the nose moist. Sometimes I also prescribe an oral steroid to help with the inflammation that comes with discontinuing the spray.”

According to Dr. Ahmed, this whole process takes at least a week. By the end of it, though, you’re off the nasal decongestant spray and the rebound congestion should be gone.

That doesn’t always mean the original cause of your congestion is gone, though.

“Once you’re off the decongestant spray, the immediate next question becomes: What caused you to start taking it in the first place?” asks Dr. Ahmed. “If you started using it to deal with a cold or some other upper respiratory virus, that’s easy since the congestion is going to resolve on its own. But if something more complex is causing your congestion, we need to treat that root cause.”

Other causes of congestion include:

• Deviated septum
• Enlarged turbinates

Don’t Miss: What Is The Difference Between Allergies And Sinus Problems

Indications And Usage For Mucomyst

Mucomyst is indicated as adjuvant therapy for patients with abnormal, viscid, or inspissated mucous secretions in such conditions as:

Chronic bronchopulmonary disease Acute bronchopulmonary disease Pulmonary complications of cystic fibrosisTracheostomy carePulmonary complications associated with surgeryUse during anesthesiaAtelectasis due to mucous obstructionDiagnostic bronchial studies

What Happened To The Allergy Medicine Chlortrimeton 12 Hour

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

Recommended Reading: Can Allergies Cause Blurred Vision And Dizziness

Which Nasal Sprays Cause Rebound Congestion

Nasal sprays containing either oxymetazoline or phenylephrine are the rebound congestion-inducing nasal sprays to use with caution.

If a nasal spray contains either of these active ingredients, be sure to use only as directed on the label three days or less. Afrin is the recognizable name brand choice, but, with generic options available, be sure to check the active ingredients of any nasal spray you use.

Not every nasal spray carries a risk of rebound congestion, though.

“For instance, a nasal steroid spray containing fluticasone, like Flonase, can also help reduce nasal congestion and prolonged use doesn’t cause rebound congestion,” says Dr. Ahmed. “However, since steroid sprays aren’t a direct decongestant, they don’t provide the immediate relief that sprays containing oxymetazoline and phenylephrine bring.”

What Other Information Should I Know

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about phenylephrine.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Recommended Reading: Can You Get A Rash From Seasonal Allergies

What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose

This medication is usually taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take phenylephrine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

How Should I Take Mucinex

Use Mucinex exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cough medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Take Mucinex with food if it upsets your stomach.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Drink extra fluids to help loosen the congestion and lubricate your throat while you are taking this medication.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Also Check: Is September A Bad Month For Allergies

Salicylatesphenols Thyroid And Sulfur

Many herbs and supplements, which containsignificant amounts of salicylates, also contain high amounts of a family ofsubstances known as phenols. Salicylates are related to phenols, assalicylic acid is a phenolic acid. If one adheres to a salicylate freeregimen, one will likely reduce one’s intake of phenols, and phenols themselveshave their own effects. This might explain why certain supplements, suchas quercetin and peppermint oil, which are high in phenols, yet are not knownto contain salicylates, are on the list of supplements to avoid by Dr. St.Amand. Either it’s poor research on his part, or he has seen people havereactions to these supplements.

One of the most commonly known phenols infoods are flavonoids, and several lab studies have shown that flavonoids do have anti-thyroid effects This isimportant, because hypothyroid disorders can often lead to fibromyalgia, andnormalizing thyroid levels other helps to treat or resolve fibromyalgiasymptoms Soy flavonoids has been best studied, with regard to thiseffect While this property may not have a direct effect on thyroid levelsin the average person, there is a concern that it may be a significant effectfor people who have other contributing factors that would lead to a thyroidproblem, such as low levels of iodine, or high level of thyroidantibodies.

Mucinex Allergy Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mucinex Allergy may cause serious side effects. Stop using Mucinex Allergy and call your doctor at once if you have:

• flu-like symptoms

• new or worsening cough

• signs of an ear infection–fever, ear pain or full feeling, trouble hearing, drainage from the ear, fussiness in a child.

Common side effects of Mucinex Allergy may include:

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You May Like: What Other Allergy Medicine Can You Take With Claritin

What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Pregnancy: Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category B

In a teratology study of acetylcysteine in the rabbit, oral doses of 500 mg/kg/day were administered to pregnant does by intubation on days 6 through 16 of gestation. Acetylcysteine was found to be nonteratogenic under the conditions of the study.

In the rabbit, two groups were exposed to an aerosol of 10% acetylcysteine and 0.05% isoproterenol hydrochloride for 30 or 35 minutes twice a day from the 6th through the 18th day of pregnancy. No teratogenic effects were observed among the offspring.

Teratology and a perinatal and postnatal toxicity study in rats were performed with a combination of acetylcysteine and isoproterenol administered by the inhalation route. In the rat, two groups of 25 pregnant females each were exposed to the aerosol for 30 and 35 minutes, respectively, twice a day from the 6th through the 15th day of gestation. No teratogenic effects were observed among the offspring.

In the pregnant rat , twice-daily exposure to an aerosol of acetylcysteine and isoproterenol for 30 or 35 minutes from the 15th day of gestation through the 21st day postpartum was without adverse effect on dams or newborns.

You May Like: How To Minimize Allergies In Your Home

How Should I Take Mucinex Allergy

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving cough or cold medicine to a child.

• Ask a doctor before giving Mucinex Allergy liquid to a child younger than 2 years old.

• The disintegrating tablets are not for use in a child younger than 6 years old.

• The 12-hour and 24-hour forms of Mucinex Allergy are not for use in a child younger than 12 years old.

Take this medicine only with water.

Take the disintegrating tablet on an empty stomach.

Shake the oral suspension before you measure a dose. Use the dosing cup provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device .

Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet on your tongue and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.

Store Mucinex Allergy in its original package at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.

Whatyour Doctor Never Told You About Salicylates

In the kidneys, there is a section calledthe proximal tubule. The fluid in the kidneys pass through there, andthis is where much of the useful components of the fluid is reabsorbed, andeventually sent back to the bloodstream. This process is known as tubularreabsorption.

There is also a different process, known astubular secretion. Weak acids, such as uric acid, are secreted into thetubule. This is the body’s way of quickly getting rid of theseacids. However, only a limited amount of acid can be secreted at anygiven time. If enough of one acid is present, it will saturate theprocess, and this will block the secretion of other acids. This is how alower amount of one acid, is able to block the secretion of larger amounts ofanother acid, resulting in less of the other acid being excreted into the urine. This is why low doses of salicylates,are able to blockexcretion of uric acid.

Probenecid, being a weak acid, is alsosecreted using tubular secretion. This is why salicylates can also blockprobenecid. However, the amount has to be quite large to do this,definitely not small hidden amounts. This is why people who takeuricosuric drugs, are not told that they need to avoid small sources ofsalicylates. On the other hand, Dr. St. Amand believes that small amountscan block guaifenesin.

Read Also: What Months Are Allergies The Worst

Butfirst A Bit Of History

During the 1990s, Dr. Robert Bennett, arecognized expert in the fibromyalgia field, decided to do a study onguaifenesin, and Dr. St. Amand was the technical advisor to the study. The results of this long term study showed that guaifenesin had no effect onfibromyalgia. However, the debate did not end. Dr. St. Amandclaimed that the patients in the study must have unknowingly been exposed toproducts that contained salicylates, which he believes can block the effects ofguaifenesin. Dr. Robert Bennett countered, saying that if there weresufficient quantities of low levels of salicylates to block guaifenesin, thenthis should have caused a decrease in urinary uric acid. Low levels ofsalicylates are known to have this effect. But the lab tests from thestudy did not show that this occurred. Thus, Dr. Bennett concluded thatthere was no such exposure to salicylates.

However, in my own opinion, it’s unlikelythat the placebo effect could explain all of the people who have stated thatthey have benefited from guaifenesin. And if anyone had bothered to do asimple search of guaifenesin in the medical literature, they would have foundreasons why guaifenesin can have beneficial effects.

How To Use Mucinex Sinus

See also Warning section.

Read and follow all directions on the package label. If you have any questions, consult your pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 4 to 6 hours as needed or as directed by your doctor. Drink plenty of fluids when you use this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The fluid will help loosen the mucus in your lungs.

If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. If your liquid form is a suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose.

The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than directed. Do not give children medicines labeled only for adults.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts for more than 1 week, if it gets worse, or if it occurs with a headache that doesn’t go away, rash, or fever lasting more than 3 days. These may be symptoms of a serious medical problem and should be checked by a doctor.

Don’t Miss: Can Pregnant Women Take Benadryl Allergy