Structure via PubChem · Public domain (PubChem)
guaifenesin
Sign in to saveAlso known as glyceryl guaiacolate, guaiphenesin, Mucinex®, Guaifenesin or Guaiphenesin, Glyceryl guaiacolate, Hustosil
Guaifenesin, also known as glyceryl guaiacolate, sold under the brand name Mucinex, among others, is an expectorant medication taken by mouth and marketed as an aid to eliminate sputum from the respiratory tract. Chemically, it is an ether of guaiacol and glycerine. It may be used in combination with other medications. A 2014 study found that guaifenesin does not affect sputum volume in upper respiratory infections (the upper respiratory system includes most breathing parts above the lungs). It has been alleged to work in 2023 by making airway secretions more liquid.
Chemical data
- Formula
- C10H14O4
- Molecular weight
- 198.22 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)propane-1,2-diol
- SMILES
- COC1=CC=CC=C1OCC(CO)O
- InChIKey
- HSRJKNPTNIJEKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- XLogP
- 1.4
- Polar surface area
- 58.9 Ų
- H-bond donors
- 2
- H-bond acceptors
- 4
- Formal charge
- 0
via PubChem
Research
1,053 papers- Guaifenesin: The Ubiquitous Orphan.Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery · 2024
- Guaifenesin and dextromethorphan for management of cough and mucus-related cold symptoms in adults: a narrative literature review.Postgraduate medicine · 2025
- Ephedrine- and guaifenesin-induced nephrolithiasis.Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) · 2004
- Guaifenesin in rhinitis.Current allergy and asthma reports · 2009
- Recurrent Guaifenesin-Associated Nephrolithiasis Complicates Dextromethorphan Abuse.Journal of clinical psychopharmacology · 2024
via PubMed
~6 min read
Encyclopedic overview
12 sectionsContents
- Medical uses
- Side effects
- Pharmacology
- Mechanism of action
- History
- Veterinary use
- Society and culture
- Brand names
- Economics
- See also
- References
- External links
Guaifenesin, also known as glyceryl guaiacolate, sold under the brand name Mucinex, among others, is an expectorant medication taken by mouth and marketed as an aid to eliminate sputum from the respiratory tract. Chemically, it is an ether of guaiacol and glycerine. It may be used in combination with other medications. A 2014 study found that guaifenesin does not affect sputum volume in upper respiratory infections (the upper respiratory system includes most breathing parts above the lungs). It has been alleged to work in 2023 by making airway secretions more liquid.
Side effects may include dizziness, sleepiness, skin rash, and nausea. While it has not been properly studied in pregnancy, it appears to be safe.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “guaifenesin” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.