Nyquil: Dosage, Side Effects, FAQs & More - GoodRx (2024)

When does Nyquil Cold and Flu start working?

Time passed since treatment started:

The following side effects have also been reported

Pros

Works within 30 minutes to relieve cold and flu symptoms

Cons

Need to avoid alcohol while taking it

• You can take Nyquil Cold and Flu with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking the medication with food.

• Nyquil Cold and Flu is only meant to be used short-term. You should stop using this medication and talk to your provider if your pain or cough lasts longer than a week or stops and returns, or fever that worsens or lasts for more than 3 days. These can be signs of a more serious condition that Nyquil Cold and Flu won't be able to treat.

• Nyquil Cold and Flu can make you sleepy or dizzy during the day, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. Don't drive until you know how the medication affects you. To prevent daytime sleepiness, it might help to take the least amount of medication possible (that will still relieve your symptoms) at night.

• While Nyquil Cold and Flu usually makes adults sleepy, it's possible for children who use this medication to become overly excited or energetic. If this happens to your child, speak to your child's provider. They can recommend other treatment options.

• Tell your provider or pharmacist about all the medications you're taking so they can check for interactions. For example, the acetaminophen in Nyquil Cold and Flu can interact with warfarin (Coumadin) and raise your risk for bleeding. Also, the doxylamine in Nyquil Cold and Flu can interact with sleep or anxiety medications and make you more sleepy.

• Don't start any new medications while taking Nyquil Cold and Flu, especially other medications containing acetaminophen, other cough suppressants, or other antihistamines, without talking to your provider or pharmacist first. Doing so can raise your risk of overdose and severe side effects.

• Don't take Nyquil Cold and Flu with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline or phenelzine (Nardil). This combination can raise your risk for severe side effects (e.g., serotonin syndrome, dizziness). If you're currently taking or have taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks, don't use Nyquil Cold and Flu. Contact your provider for other options to treat your cold or flu symptoms.

• The liquid products might contain 10% of alcohol. But there are alcohol-free alternatives available, such as Vicks Nyquil Alcohol Free or Coricidin-Maximum Strength Multi-Symptom Flu.

• Some liquid products contain sodium. Ask your provider if it's okay to use a product with sodium if you have a history of heart problems and you're on a low-salt diet.

• Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure your dose of Nyquil Cold and Flu. Don't use household spoons because they aren't always accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.

• Store at room temperature in the original bottle it came from and protect it from light.

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Yes, Nyquil Cold and Flu contains doxylamine, an antihistamine that can make you feel sleepy. If you're feeling too sleepy to get through your day, let your provider know and they can talk with you about other options for your symptoms.

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Nyquil Cold and Flu typically starts to work within 30 minutes and lasts for about 6 hours.

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Adults and children ages 12 years and older can take up to 2 capsules (or 2 tablespoonfuls for the liquid) of Nyquil Cold and Flu every 6 hours. But don't take more than 4 doses in a 24-hour period. If your provider specifically recommended you to take Nyquil Cold and Flu, it's possible they might give you different instructions than what's written on the manufacturer's box; follow your provider's directions in that case. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you're not sure how much Nyquil Cold and Flu you can take and how often you should take the medication.

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If you're pregnant, talk with your provider before taking Nyquil Cold and Flu. In general, the three active ingredients in Nyquil Cold and Flu (acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine) are generally considered safe to take during pregnancy. But keep in mind that some liquid forms of Nyquil Cold and Flu contain alcohol, which should be avoided.

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Maybe; it depends on which Mucinex product you choose. Mucinex is a brand that makes several products. Many of their products already contain acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, or doxylamine, the active ingredients in Nyquil Cold and Flu. Taking Nyquil Cold and Flu with other medications that contain the same or very similar ingredients can raise your risk of side effects, such as extreme sleepiness or liver problems. Check the label of all the cold and flu medications you're taking to make sure you're not taking more than the recommended dose of any particular active ingredient. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you aren't sure if a particular medication is similar to an active ingredient in Nyquil Cold and Flu.

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No. Nyquil Cold and Flu already contains acetaminophen (Tylenol) and taking too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause severe liver damage. Talk to your provider or pharmacist for available options if you're still having pain while taking Nyquil Cold and Flu.

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No, Nyquil Cold and Flu doesn't contain a decongestant. But there might be other Nyquil products that contain a decongestant, like phenylephrine. Make sure you read the label of your specific Nyquil product to see what the active ingredients are. Talk to your provider or pharmacist if you need help finding an OTC medication to treat sinus pressure or stuffy nose.

Nyquil Cold and Flu

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