Pharmacist's Verdict
NyQuil is a go-to choice for adults needing relief from multiple cold and flu symptoms at night, effectively easing discomfort and promoting sleep.
Ingredient Analysis
Acetaminophen
Dextromethorphan HBr
Doxylamine succinate
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Multi-symptom relief: Effectively tackles common cold and flu symptoms like aches, fever, cough, sneezing, and runny nose.
- Promotes sleep: The antihistamine ingredient helps you fall asleep, which is beneficial when cold symptoms keep you awake.
- Convenient: One dose treats several symptoms, making it easy to use compared to taking multiple single-ingredient products.
Cons
- Causes drowsiness: A major side effect is significant drowsiness, meaning you cannot drive or operate machinery after taking it.
- Liver risk with acetaminophen: Contains acetaminophen, which can cause severe liver damage if you take too much, especially with other acetaminophen-containing products or alcohol.
- Drug interactions: Can have serious interactions with certain antidepressants (MAOIs) and other medications that cause drowsiness or dry mouth.
- Anticholinergic side effects: The antihistamine can cause dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, or difficulty urinating in some people.
- Not for everyone: Should not be used by children under 12, or by individuals with certain medical conditions like glaucoma or an enlarged prostate without doctor's advice.
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 NyQuil safe for you?
See pregnancy, interactions, and common concerns answered in our pharmacist safety FAQ.
Read safety review →References
- 1.FDA Drug Label — Nighttime Cold and Flu
FDA DailyMed: Nighttime Cold and Flu · 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
- 3.Acute renal failure due to acetaminophen ingestion: a case report and review of the literature.
Blakely P, McDonald BR, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN, 1995 · PubMed