Can You Take Tessalon With Mucinex?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses if it is safe to combine Tessalon (benzonatate) and Mucinex (guaifenesin).
Is it okay to mix Tessalon and Mucinex together? I was prescribed Tessalon and forgot to ask about Mucinex.
Nov 04, 2022- Tessalon and Mucinex are safe to take together with no known interaction between them.
- Tessalon works to reduce coughing while Mucinex thins mucus to help clear airways, making them complementary medications.
- These two drugs do not share many similar side effects and are generally very well tolerated.
Answer
There is no known interaction between Tessalon (brand for benzonatate) and Mucinex (guaifenesin). They are considered safe to take with one another.
It's not uncommon that these types of drugs (a cough suppressant and expectorant) are combined.
A similar combination to this would be dextromethorphan (generic for Delsym) and Mucinex. One drug helps to reduce the frequency and severity of coughing (dextromethorphan or benzonatate) while the other (guaifenesin) helps to thin and clear out mucus.
In addition to not having any interaction between them, Tessalon and Mucinex do not share many similar side effects and are, generally, very well tolerated.
What Is Tessalon?
Tessalon is a brand name drug that contains benzonatate and is used to relieve cough. Benzonatate is in a class of medications called antitussives (cough suppressants) and works by reducing the cough reflex in the lungs and air passages.
What Is Mucinex?
Mucinex contains guaifenesin and is used to relieve chest congestion. It is in a class of medications called expectorants. It works by thinning the mucus in the air passages to make it easier to cough up the mucus and clear the airways.
Final Words
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Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Benzonatate
- The active ingredient in Tessalon that works to suppress coughs by reducing the cough reflex.
- Guaifenesin
- The active ingredient in Mucinex that helps thin mucus to make it easier to cough up.
- Cough suppressant
- A medication that reduces or prevents coughing.
- Expectorant
- A medication that helps thin and clear mucus from the airways.
- Antitussives
- A class of medications that suppress or reduce coughing.
- Dextromethorphan
- A generic cough suppressant medication similar to benzonatate, found in products like Delsym.
- Cough reflex
- The body's automatic response to clear the lungs and air passages.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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