Mucinex contains the active ingredient guaifenesin, which is thought to thin the cervical mucus and help women conceive, although there is no clinical data to support this theory.
Women taking a commonly used cold medicine are being warned that it could lead to unexpected pregnancy.
According to doctors, there is anecdotal evidence that taking Mucinex makes it easier for sperm to travel through the vagina and reach the egg.
Social media and forums are rife with women claiming to have gotten pregnant using the $1 pill after struggling with their fertility for years.
The theory is that the drug works by thinning mucus, which can also thin the mucus in the cervix, creating an easier route for sperm to reach an egg.
However, doctors warn that in rare cases, Mucinex can cause vomiting, dizziness and headache at high doses.
A woman claimed in a viral TikTok video that she had been “trying to get pregnant for years” and “did everything” to conceive, but was unable to conceive until she took a decongestant containing guaifenesin, the active ingredient in Mucinex.
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User @cassiemadams posted a video saying, “Been trying to get pregnant for years just to take Mucinex and get pregnant. (I don’t know) what magic is in those pills but here we are.”
Cassie was happy to be pregnant, but there were plenty of users who said they would “never use Mucinex again” for fear it would cause an unwanted pregnancy.
A reproduction expert told DailyMail.com that there was no hard evidence that Mucinex or guaifenesin increased the chances of pregnancy, but there was a lot of circumstantial evidence.
Dr. Karen Tang, a gynecologic surgeon in Pennsylvania, placed a video He explains the theory behind guaifenesin and increased fertility, saying the ingredient is meant to loosen the mucus people have when they’re sick, making it easier to cough up.
This led people to wonder whether the ingredient could thin the cervical mucus, making it easier for sperm to reach the woman’s egg, fertilize it and lead to pregnancy.
Dr Rachel McConnell from Columbia University’s Fertility Center told DailyMail.com that around the time of ovulation, when a woman is most fertile, cervical mucus becomes thinner and ‘slippery’, which aids sperm flow.
Because guaifenesin thins the mucus in the airways, the theory is that women with thick cervical mucus will also find that guaifenesin thins it.
Dr. McConnell added: ‘Mucinex may be useful for women who are known to have thick cervical mucus as the sole cause of their infertility. However, patients should consult with their fertility doctor to determine if Mucinex may be useful in their case.’
TikTok user @cassiemadams said in a video that she and her partner had tried “everything and anything” to conceive, but were unsuccessful until she took guaifenesin
The idea that guaifenesin can increase the chance of pregnancy has been around for a long time, but the only study which was carried out in 1982.
Researchers observed 40 couples who were having trouble conceiving after 10 months. Researchers took samples of cervical mucus from the women before and after taking guaifenesin.
Twenty-three couples saw an improvement in the “quality” of their cervical mucus, and 15 of those couples successfully became pregnant. However, Dr. Tang noted that there was no control group in the study to compare the guaifenesin group to.
With 2 million views, hundreds of people have commented on Cassie’s videowho share similar stories.
User Ahzbah commented: ‘5 years of no protection, both got very sick in a week and took Mucinex. Now have a happy 7 month old baby.’
Another, SunshineRnbwSkttlz23, said: ‘PCOS and tried multiple fertility treatments for years… tried Mucinex once and BOOM! 7 months pregnant.’
Some were happy with the news, but others said their pregnancies were unplanned because of the medications.
TikToker Marcia Hofer responded: ‘My Mucinex baby turned one in December, but we didn’t try it. I just had a cold.’
Ellie Bagwell claimed she became pregnant while taking Mucinex, despite being on birth control.
While another added: ‘I got sick and now I have a one year old. They should definitely put that on the warning label!’
One commenter called herself a “Mucinex victim,” while another said she got pregnant “but she DIDN’T.”
Others swore off the drug, fearing that they too might become unexpectedly pregnant.
Someone said she was sick at the moment and was taking Mucinex: ‘Don’t scare me so much.’
Mariska Alexus said: ‘Wow, that’s my favorite medicine too… goodbye Mucinex, forever.’
In a TikTok video, Cassie says she took the generic version of Mucinex she bought at Target, which contains the same active ingredient, guaifenesin.
And Kalico Mermaid expressed her fear: ‘Stop – I’m between (birth control) refills and I’ve been taking Mucinex because I’ve been sick too. You guys are scaring me.’
In a separate video, Cassie shares that she took the generic version of Mucinex that she bought at Target.
Although not the Mucinex brand itself, the store brand version contains the same active ingredient: guaifenesin.
She said she took one pill of the extended-release version every 12 hours.
In a third video, Cassie explains that she took the medication for five days, starting a few days after her menstrual cycle ended.
She added that she and her partner did “everything and anything” to get pregnant.
Cassie said, “I think that worked. There were only a few things we changed this last time.”
Cassie did not provide details about any side effects she may have experienced, but common side effects of guaifenesin include headache, rash, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping.
More recently there was a case from 2010 study of a 32-year-old man who was evaluated for infertility. His doctor prescribed guaifenesin. Two months later, a semen analysis showed a significant improvement in his sperm count and motility.
The authors wrote: ‘Evidence for the effectiveness of guaifenesin is almost entirely anecdotal. Given the mechanism of action of guaifenesin, it is not clear from this case why the patient had such a large improvement in both sperm count and motility.’
They called for further investigation into the matter.
Reckitt, the manufacturer of Mucinex, told Good Morning America: ‘Reckitt is aware of the recent social media activity surrounding Mucinex and fertility, and we understand why there is increased interest in this topic.
‘As a global leader in health and hygiene, it is important that we make it clear that Mucinex should only be used as intended in accordance with label directions. Using Mucinex for infertility is an off-label use.
‘Taking medications outside their approved indications or without recognizing all the active ingredients can be harmful. If in doubt, we recommend that women have a conversation with their healthcare provider.
‘Always read the label and safety information before taking any over-the-counter medication.’