I'm having breast augmentation on Wednesday. Will taking mucinex affect my surgery?

Question

My ENT doctor put me on mucinex to help with my post nasal drip due to having bad allergies. I don't take it everyday like he wants me to and when I do take it most of the time it's just 1 pill a day instead of one every 12 hours. I just took one this morning and if I need to stop now before my procedure Wednesday then I will.

Bryson G. Richards, MD · Answer

If you were my patient, I would be ok with you taking Mucinex. With that being said, you should definitely contact your surgeon to let him/her know that you have been taking a new medication.I hope this helps.- Dr. Bryson Richards (Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

In my experience mucinex does not appreciably affect surgery or general anesthesia, but this is something you should check with your own surgeon as well to avoid any surprises.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

The pseudoephedrine (decongestant d part of mucinex-d) can raise blood pressure, but this should be out of your system by Wednesday if you were to stop taking it now. Just notify your plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist tomorrow so they can provide feedback.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Mark K. Markarian, MD, MSPH, FACS · Answer

Hello, Ashlee, Mucinex should not interfere with your Breast Augmentation surgery but please consult with your surgeon.Good luck with your upcoming surgery.Mark K Markarian, MD, MSPHHarvard-trained Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, Mucinex is a brand that has several different preparations.  The most basic has an expectorant guafensin, but other versions can have stimulants as a decongestant.  Please discuss the exact version you have with your plastic surgeon and best of luck.

William L. Reno, III, MD · Answer

Taking Mucinex should not be a problem.  Call your Surgeon's office on Monday and let them know.  Make sure you are feeling well prior to your procedure.

Michael Dobryansky, MD, FACS · Answer

You were probably given a list of medications to avoid before surgery. If Mucinex is not on it, you are fine. Good luck!

Frank Agullo, MD · Answer

Mucinex does not interfere with surgery or general anesthesia. Nevertheless, you must mention this to your surgeon and anesthesiologist.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  You should run all medication use by your surgeon and anesthesiologist but Mucinex will not impact your procedure from a safety or outcome point of view.  Hope this helps.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is always best to contact your surgeon to discuss concerns like this. However, I do not think that a medication such as this should have any effect on you being able to proceed with surgery. Best of luck!

I'm having breast augmentation on Wednesday. Will taking mucinex affect my surgery?

Answers (16)