Dr. Hive . . .? re Mucinex DM

[newlifemom]

DD 12 is rather congested and coughing. Frankly, she is miserable. A few year ago, we found Mucinex and love it. It really clears things up for dh and myself. However,

 

dd is petite. I mean really petite, around 70lbs. The directions say for 12 and up, but I think that most 12 and ups weigh a lot more.

 

Normally, I would cut the pill in half. Mucinex says not to chew, crush, or break the tablet. It is an extended-release bi-layer tablet.

 

Can someone explain to me why I shouldn't cut it in half? Will it ruin the potency or something? Or, may I cut it in half.

 

If not, I am going to the store, what do you all recommend?

 

TIA

[ktgrok]

my son is 11 and only 65lbs.

[Jean in Newcastle]

The mucinex itself is guaiafenisen and is pretty harmless even at a higher dose than normal. It's the DM part that would worry me. I can't spell it but that has to be more carefully dosed.

[MariannNOVA]

DD 12 is rather congested and coughing. Frankly, she is miserable. A few year ago, we found Mucinex and love it. It really clears things up for dh and myself. However,

 

dd is petite. I mean really petite, around 70lbs. The directions say for 12 and up, but I think that most 12 and ups weigh a lot more.

 

Normally, I would cut the pill in half. Mucinex says not to chew, crush, or break the tablet. It is an extended-release bi-layer tablet.

 

Can someone explain to me why I shouldn't cut it in half? Will it ruin the potency or something? Or, may I cut it in half.

 

If not, I am going to the store, what do you all recommend?

 

TIA

 

I had the same dilemma a couple of weeks ago. I could not bring myself to cut up the Mucinex caplet.

 

I used the Mucinex 'sprinkles' in the packet -- it meant that dd11 had to take a couple of packets, but we have always had good results with the sprinkles. Oh, and I bought Simply Saline and had her use that according to the directions. She also took Emergen-C according to directions, and drank hot lemonade (lemons have a natural decongestant).

 

Hope she feels better.

[Mabelen]

I had the same dilemma a couple of weeks ago. I could not bring myself to cut up the Mucinex caplet.

 

I used the Mucinex 'sprinkles' in the packet -- it meant that dd11 had to take a couple of packets, but we have always had good results with the sprinkles. Oh, and I bought Simply Saline and had her use that according to the directions. She also took Emergen-C according to directions, and drank hot lemonade (lemons have a natural decongestant).

 

Hope she feels better.

 

This is also what I'd do. Just use the children's formula, whatever dosage is apropriate to her weight.

[Catwoman]

DS (almost 11) is around 90 pounds, and we still use the kids' Mucinex MiniMelts. I only get the expectorant kind, though. I've never used the cough medicine plus expectorant version. I think it probably has dextromethorphan in it, which in a child-sized dosage might be ok, but I would hesitate to use the adult dosage of that stuff for a kid. If it were just the expectorant version of the adult formula, I might try it, but I'd still call and ask the doctor or pharmacist first (or call the number on the package.)

 

I'm always such a chicken about new medicines.

 

And I think I may have gotten a little creative with the spelling of dextromethorphan, but you know what I mean, right? I'm too lazy to look it up!

 

Cat