Started Getting Panic Attack After Taking Mucinex Dm. Cause For Concern?

Posted on Fri, 12 Apr 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 Answered on

Thu, 2 May 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : took 1200 mg of mucinex dm, having terrible panic attacks..mucinex was taken at 7.pm

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (23 minutes later)

Hello
Welcome to Health Care Magic

Mucinex DM is a over the counter cough medicine. It consists of Guaifenacin and Dextromethorphan. It is otherwise safe drug and most common side effects are nausea and vomiting only. But in about 10-12% of people taking it Anxiety and restlessness may be observed and about 1-2% persons may suffer severe anxiety and panic attack.

As you suffered panic attacks so I would advise you to not to take medicine again at least form some days.

For immediate relief of Panic attacks you can take low dose benzodiazepine like Alprazolam 0.25-0.5 mg dose. Other medicine that is non sedating like Buspirone can be taken also. Both group of medicine are useful in panic attacks.

Secondly get your Blood Pressure checked as Mucinex DM may cause increase in BP. If BP comes in higher range then visit a doctor for proper management of BP.

There is no need to get excessive stress as the anxiety and panic will go spontaneously in 4-6 hours.

If you have more questions you can ask again in follow up.

Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar