Pharmacist's Verdict
DayQuil Cold & Flu is a reliable over-the-counter medicine designed to tackle common cold and flu symptoms during the day without causing drowsiness. It's best for adults and children over 12 needing relief from aches, fever, cough, and stuffy nose.
Ingredient Analysis
Acetaminophen
Dextromethorphan HBr
Phenylephrine HCl
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Treats multiple cold and flu symptoms at once, including aches, fever, cough, and nasal congestion.
- Formulated to be non-drowsy, making it suitable for daytime use without interfering with daily activities.
- Widely available and easy to access without a prescription.
- Combines well-established active ingredients for effective symptom relief.
Cons
- Contains acetaminophen, so it's crucial to avoid taking other medicines with acetaminophen to prevent accidental overdose and potential liver damage.
- Phenylephrine, while a nasal decongestant, may not be as effective for severe stuffiness as pseudoephedrine for some individuals.
- Can cause side effects like increased blood pressure or heart rate due to phenylephrine, especially in people with certain heart conditions.
- Serious drug interactions can occur, particularly with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), requiring a 2-week gap before or after taking this product.
Safety Information
Warnings
Warnings Do not use • If you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (certain drugs for depression, psychiatric or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease), or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product. • to make a child sleepy Warnings Do not use if you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (certain drugs for depression, psychiatric or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease), or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.
Is DayQuil safe for you?
See pregnancy, interactions, and common concerns answered in our pharmacist safety FAQ.
Read safety review →References
- 1.FDA Drug Label — Sanatos Daytime
FDA DailyMed: Sanatos Daytime · FDA
- 2.FDA Drug Label — Vicks DayQuil NyQuil BERRY Kids COLD and COUGH plus
FDA DailyMed: Vicks DayQuil NyQuil BERRY Kids COLD and COUGH plus · FDA