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Does Mucinex Interact With Cheratussin And Advil?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Nov 2015
Question: Hello - I am a 37yr old asian male. I consider myself to be in good athletic shape with my only health issues being I take 50mg of zoloft for GAD daily and I have high cholesterol. I usually go to the gym 2-3 times per week and I mix my time between weights and cardio.
Here is my concern: Last Monday I came down with the flu. Sore throat, congestion, fever, body aches, fatigue...the usual mess. I immediately started taking mucinex cold every 4 hrs to hopefully combat any congestion and break up my phlem. In addition, I took cherry tussin to help combat my cough. Throughout, I continued to take mucinex and some advil. I finally went to the doc on Wed and he gave me a ZPACK and stated I could continue with the mucinex, cherry tussin, and advil. The following Friday I switched up to the 12hr Mucinex D hoping the psuedoepehdrine would help better with my congestion. Anyway, that Sunday, I woke up, started my day and sometime mid morning, I developed a bad bloody nose. I attributed it to the mucinex and thinning out the membranes in my nasal passages. What concerned me most was that on the same day I had a bowel movement and I noticed blood in the water of the toilet bowl. Not so much in the stool, but more in the water and in the toilet paper. It was a bright red. It looked as if it had dripped from my rectum. I have had 4 bowel movements since then, but no more blood in the water and/or stool. Did I aggravate my GI with all of the meds, is this something I should be concerned about or should I just monitor my bowel movements? Thank you. -PJ
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pankaj Borade (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
need to consider drug interaction and side effects

Detailed Answer:
Dear,
Welcome to HCM
As i can understand here, you have been on multiple medications. Therefore, the possibilities here to consider are drug interactions, drugs intolerance, side effects.

Firstly before jumping to a conclusion we need to establish a condition, for which i may ask you few question-
1) Did you tell your doctor that you have been taking Zoloft?
2) the bleeding from nose- how was the amount of bleed? How many episodes? Was it first time?
3) Any associated symptoms of rashes, vomiting, diarrihea, stomach ache?

Answer to these can help me to get a more clearer clinical picture of your condition.

Suggestions to you are:
Considering the very high possibility of drug to drug interaction, its is strongly advisable that you immediately consult the prescribing doctor about the emerged problem and detailed medicine information that you have been on.
Any stopping of medication can precipitate or agrravate your existing condition therefore consulting a doctor is wise.

depending on further information i shall advise you certain investigations if required.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pankaj Borade (44 minutes later)
Hello and thank you for the reply.

-The nose bleed lasted approximately 10mins and then ceased. No further bloody noses since and it was the first and only incident. It was a decent amount of blood, but nothing crazy.
-The doctor knew I was on the Zoloft (been using it for 9 yrs now)
-No rashes, vomiting, diarrihea, stomach ache. Just fatigue and headache from flu.
-Bowel movements seemed normal. No extreme pushing or any weird pains, etc.

*I immediately stopped taking any cold/flu medication (Mucinex) or advil since the blood in my stool. I continue to take my zoloft.
*No incidents of bloody stool water since the initial incident.

All meds taken last week: Mucinex day/night; Mucinex D (2 TIMES); Advil; Zoloft 50mg; daily multi vitamin; immune booster (herbal); cherry tussin (2 TIMES); ZPACK (2PILLS FIRST DAY 1 PAY FOR 4 DAYS AFTER);

Hello and thank you for the reply.

-The nose bleed lasted approximately 10mins and then ceased. No further bloody noses since and it was the first and only incident. It was a decent amount of blood, but nothing crazy.
-The doctor knew I was on the Zoloft (been using it for 9 yrs now)
-No rashes, vomiting, diarrihea, stomach ache. Just fatigue and headache from flu.
-Bowel movements seemed normal. No extreme pushing or any weird pains, etc.

*I immediately stopped taking any cold/flu medication (Mucinex) or advil since the blood in my stool. I continue to take my zoloft.
*No incidents of bloody stool water since the initial incident.

All meds taken last week: Mucinex day/night; Mucinex D (2 TIMES); Advil; Zoloft 50mg; daily multi vitamin; immune booster (herbal); cherry tussin (2 TIMES); ZPACK (2PILLS FIRST DAY 1 PAY FOR 4 DAYS AFTER);

Did I aggravate my GI with all of the meds, is this something I should be concerned about or should I just monitor my bowel movements? Thank you. -PJ

I forgot to mention, my last CBC was conducted approx 5 months ago and aside from my cholesterol, all numbers were within range. I just ultimately want to know if the blood I saw in my stool and in the water, on the one occasion, is something I should immediately see my doctor for and something I should genuinely be concerned about or is it something that I can just monitor for now.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pankaj Borade (33 hours later)
Brief Answer:
local examination and few investigations

Detailed Answer:
thanks for the reply.
From your information it appears to me that the incident of nasal bleeding was an isolated event i.e it has no significant relation to the existing condition of flu, or not due to any side effect. It could be an attack of epistaxis.
secondly, the bleed from rectum that you have mentioned is fresh red. This is against the possiblity of gastric bleeding due to gastritis as the stools in this case gets dark "coffee coloured" not red. Therefore the bleeding from rectum warrants examination.

my suggestions to you are
1) A consultation to general physican for your flu condition and you should get your nose examined.
2) regarding blood in stool, I suggest observing for next 7 days can be considerd. If it re happens, then you should consult a surgeon.
3) An investigation of CBC is suggestible to check for any Anemia due to chronic blood loss, infection.
4) addition of cap omeprazole 20 mg at night to reduce acidity an prevent gastritis for five days.


hope you find my suggestion satisfying.
Revert back for additional queries.

Regards,
Dr Pankaj
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pankaj Borade

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 571 Questions

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Does Mucinex Interact With Cheratussin And Advil?

Brief Answer: need to consider drug interaction and side effects Detailed Answer: Dear, Welcome to HCM As i can understand here, you have been on multiple medications. Therefore, the possibilities here to consider are drug interactions, drugs intolerance, side effects. Firstly before jumping to a conclusion we need to establish a condition, for which i may ask you few question- 1) Did you tell your doctor that you have been taking Zoloft? 2) the bleeding from nose- how was the amount of bleed? How many episodes? Was it first time? 3) Any associated symptoms of rashes, vomiting, diarrihea, stomach ache? Answer to these can help me to get a more clearer clinical picture of your condition. Suggestions to you are: Considering the very high possibility of drug to drug interaction, its is strongly advisable that you immediately consult the prescribing doctor about the emerged problem and detailed medicine information that you have been on. Any stopping of medication can precipitate or agrravate your existing condition therefore consulting a doctor is wise. depending on further information i shall advise you certain investigations if required. Regards,