Can You Take Zarbee's With Mucinex?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses if it is safe to take Zarbee's Cough And Mucus with Mucinex.
Can I take Zarbee's Cough + Mucus with Mucinex DM (both adult products)?
Dec 12, 2021- It is safe to take Zarbee's Cough and Mucus with Mucinex or Mucinex DM because there is no known drug interaction between them.
- The small amount of grapefruit seed extract in Zarbee's is unlikely to cause drug interactions since clinically significant interactions only occur with much larger amounts of grapefruit.
- Some other Zarbee's products contain additional ingredients like melatonin that may have drug interactions, so it's important to check the specific product you're using.
Hello and thanks for reaching out to us!
Yes, it is safe to take Zarbee's Cough and Mucus (as well as other Zarbee's products) with Mucinex. There is no known drug interaction between them.
In fact, Mucinex, which contains the active ingredient guaifenesin, is an extremely safe drug. Most clinical drug resources list it as having essentially no drug interactions.
You did mention in your question that you were specifically inquiring about Mucinex DM, which contains both guaifenesin and dextromethorphan. Although dextromethorphan does interact with some drugs, there is no evidence it interacts with anything contained in Zarbee's Cough and Mucus.
Zarbee's Cough + Mucus With Mucinex
Zarbee's has multiple product offerings, but let's take a look at the specific product you mentioned, Zarbee's Cough + Mucus. According to their website, this product contains:
- Dark Honey
- Ivy Leaf
- Thyme
- Vitamins C & D
- Zinc
- Grapefruit Seed Extract
- Marshmallow Root Extract
Below is the Supplement Facts label:
As mentioned at the beginning of the answer, there is no evidence that anything here interacts with Mucinex or Mucinex DM. You can feel safe taking them together.
What About Zarbee's And Other Drugs?
After looking through the Zarbee's website, it looks like most of their products contain honey.
There is some evidence that honey, when eaten regularly, can affect some drugs that are metabolized by a certain enzyme in our body (CYP3A4), but most studies conclude this isn't clinically significant.
Now, you may notice that this product also contains grapefruit seed extract, and grapefruit is certainly a well-known food that can interact with many different drugs, such as statin drugs, which are used to treat high cholesterol.
However, most sources indicate that a clinically significant interaction only occurs when more than a glass of grapefruit juice (or equivalent amount of fruit) is consumed. There is such a small amount of grapefruit in this product that it likely wouldn't interact with any drugs that would otherwise be affected by larger amounts.
I do want to mention that there are some Zarbee's products, aside from the one I am talking about in this answer (which is Zarbee's Cough + Mucus) that contain additional ingredients, and some of them do have drug interactions to be aware of.
For example, some of the nighttime Zarbee's products contain melatonin, which is generally safe to take for most individuals, but again, does have some drug interactions (although not with Mucinex or Mucinex DM).
Final Words
We always appreciate folks reaching out regarding interaction questions with over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
Even though a drug or dietary supplement is available over the counter, that doesn't mean it can't affect other drugs. We're always more than happy to answer these types of questions.
Thanks again for reaching out to us!
References & sources
- What to know about grapefruit and statins — MedicalNewsToday
- Honey Monograph (Subscription Required) — Natural Standard
- Effect of honey on CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 enzyme activity in healthy human volunteers — PubMed
- Influence of a Nigerian honey on CYP3A4 biotransformation of quinine in healthy volunteers — PubMed
- Zarbee's Manufacturer Website — Zarbee's
- Daily Honey Consumption Does Not Change CYP3A Activity in Humans — Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
- The Sweet Effect of Honey on Drug Metabolism — Pharmacy Times
NDC Codes for the Medications in This Answer
Every package, labeler and price for each medication in the FDA's National Drug Code directory.
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Drug interaction
- When two medications affect each other's action in your body, potentially making one less effective or causing unwanted side effects.
- Guaifenesin
- An active ingredient in cough medicines that helps thin mucus so it's easier to cough up.
- Dextromethorphan
- A cough suppressant active ingredient found in some over-the-counter cough medicines that reduces the urge to cough.
- Enzyme
- A protein in your body that helps break down and process drugs and other substances.
- CYP3A4
- A specific enzyme in your body responsible for metabolizing many different medications.
- Statin drugs
- Medications used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
- Metabolized
- The process by which your body breaks down a drug or substance into forms it can use or eliminate.
- Melatonin
- A natural hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles, also available as a dietary supplement.
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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