Two medicines, side by side
Dextromethorphan vs guaifenesin
Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin are both labeled for cough and cold. Pharmacies paid $0.122 per unit (Dextromethorphan 15 mg softgel) and $0.284 per ft mucus relief ER 600 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, dextromethorphan is a sigma-1 agonist and guaifenesin an expectorant.
Check it at the source: the dextromethorphan FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 27, 2026); the guaifenesin FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 27, 2026).
Highlights of the dextromethorphan record
Dextromethorphan (Delsym) · label of August 27, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves • cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation as may occur with the common cold or inhaled irritants • the impulse to cough to help you get to sleep
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.122 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the guaifenesin record
Guaifenesin (Mucinex) · label of May 27, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationshelps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to rid the bronchial passageways of bothersome mucus and make coughs more productive
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 12, 2002
- Generic labelers
- 91 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.284 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dextromethorphan label of August 27, 2026, Guaifenesin label of May 27, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dextromethorphan and guaifenesin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, dextromethorphan is a sigma-1 agonist and guaifenesin an expectorant.
Generics: dextromethorphan none approved; guaifenesin since 2011 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dextromethorphan | Guaifenesin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Cough and cold | Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | Sigma-1 Agonist, Uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Antagonist | Expectorant |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | July 12, 2002 |
| First generic approved | none | November 23, 2011 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 28 labelers | 91 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.122 per unit (Dextromethorphan 15 mg softgel) | $0.284 per tablet (Ft mucus relief ER 600 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +13% | -11% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 8,389 | 30,329 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to dextromethorphan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions