Vicks Nyquil Nighttime Relief Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

Uses

This combination medication is used to temporarily treat symptoms caused by the common cold, flu, allergies, or other breathing illnesses (such as sinusitis, bronchitis). Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that affects a certain part of the brain, reducing the urge to cough. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a non-aspirin pain reliever and fever reducer. Antihistamines help relieve watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, runny nose, and sneezing.This medication is not usually used for ongoing coughs from smoking, asthma, or other long-term breathing problems (such as emphysema), or for coughs with a lot of mucus, unless directed by your doctor.Cough-and-cold products have not been shown to be safe or effective in children younger than 6 years. Do not use this product to treat cold symptoms in children younger than 6 years unless specifically directed by the doctor. Some products (such as long-acting tablets/capsules) are not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details about using your product safely.These products do not cure or shorten the length of the common cold and may cause serious side effects. To decrease the risk for serious side effects, carefully follow all dosage directions. Do not use this product to make a child sleepy. Do not give other cough-and-cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients (see also Drug Interactions section). Ask the doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier or saline nose drops/spray).

How to use Vicks Nyquil Nighttime Relief 6.25 Mg-15 Mg-325 Mg/15 Ml Oral Liquid

See also Warning section.

Read and follow all directions on the package label. Do not give children medicines labeled only for adults. If you have any questions, consult your pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 4 to 6 hours as needed or as directed by your doctor. If stomach upset occurs, it may help to take this medication with food or milk. Drink plenty of fluids when you use this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The fluid will help loosen the mucus in your lungs.

If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. If your liquid form is a suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose.

The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose, take it more often, or use it for a longer time than directed. Improper use (abuse) of this medication may result in serious harm (including brain damage, seizure, death).

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts for more than 1 week, if it gets worse, or if it occurs with a headache that doesn't go away, rash, or fever lasting more than 3 days. These may be symptoms of a serious medical problem and should be checked by a doctor.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, upset stomach, nausea, constipation, or dry mouth/nose/throat may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations), trouble urinating, fast/irregular heartbeat, seizure.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Warnings

One ingredient in this product is acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Adults should not take more than 4000 milligrams (4 grams) of acetaminophen a day. People with liver problems and children should take less acetaminophen. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how much acetaminophen is safe to take.

Do not use with any other drug containing acetaminophen without asking your doctor or pharmacist first. Acetaminophen is in many nonprescription and prescription medications (such as pain/fever drugs or cough-and-cold products). Check the labels on all your medicines to see if they contain acetaminophen, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure.

Get medical help right away if you take too much acetaminophen (overdose), even if you feel well. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, stomach/abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, yellowing eyes/skin, and dark urine.

Daily alcohol use, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may damage your liver.

Precautions

See also Warning section.

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any of its ingredients; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication: breathing problems (such as asthma, emphysema), diabetes, glaucoma, heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver disease, seizures, stomach/intestinal problems (such as blockage, constipation, ulcers), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), urination problems (such as trouble urinating due to enlarged prostate, urinary retention).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Some brands of this product may contain sugar, alcohol, or aspartame. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug. In young children, antihistamines may cause agitation/excitement instead of drowsiness.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, trouble urinating, or mental/mood changes. Dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion can increase the risk of falling.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication may pass into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Interactions

See also Warning section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug are: antihistamines applied to the skin (such as diphenhydramine cream, ointment, spray), ketoconazole, levoketoconazole, rolapitant.

Taking certain MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking isocarboxazid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, or tranylcypromine during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or other antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).

The ingredients in this product are available in many prescription and nonprescription products. Check the labels on all your medicines (such as pain/fever drugs, diet aids, or cough-and-cold/allergy products) because they may contain the same or similar ingredients. Using these drugs along with this product could increase side effects. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as urine drug screening tests, urine 5-HIAA, allergy skin test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

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Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, stomach/abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, agitation, confusion, flushing, hallucinations, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, seizures. In children, excitement may occur first, and may be followed by: loss of coordination, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, seizures.

Notes

Keep all medical and lab appointments.

Missed Dose

If you are taking this product on a regular schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze liquid forms of this medication. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

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Drug Survey

Have you ever purchased Vicks Nyquil Nighttime Relief 6.25 Mg-15 Mg-325 Mg/15 Ml Oral Liquid?

This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Vicks Nyquil Nighttime Relief Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What medications should you not mix with NyQuil? ›

Taking certain MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking isocarboxazid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, or tranylcypromine during treatment with this medication.

Who should not use NyQuil? ›

Speak to your provider before using Nyquil Cold and Flu if you have liver problems, since it can cause further damage to your liver. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Signs of liver problems include dark urine, fatigue, stomach pain, or yellowing of skin or eyes.

Is it harmful to take NyQuil every night? ›

The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose, take it more often, or use it for a longer time than directed. Improper use of this medication (abuse) may result in serious harm (including brain damage, seizure, death).

How many nights in a row can you take Nightquil? ›

Do not take for longer than 7 days in a row. Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor if you still have a fever after 3 days of use, you still have pain after 7 days (or 5 days if treating a child), if your symptoms get worse, or if you have a skin rash, ongoing headache, or any redness or swelling.

Can I take NyQuil with blood pressure medicine? ›

If you're taking medication to control your high blood pressure, combining it with certain types of antihistamine may affect your heart rate and your blood pressure. Therefore, if you have high blood pressure, you should consult your doctor before taking any NyQuil Cold and Flu products.

What not to do when taking NyQuil? ›

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking Nyquil Cold and Flu with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

How long does NyQuil stay in your system? ›

The other ingredients don't stay as long in your system, but because of Doxylamine, NyQuil can stay in your system for up to 4 to 5 days. The body metabolizes alcohol at a rate of about one drink per hour. If you've had several drinks, you may feel intoxicated for several hours until the alcohol leaves your system.

Can NyQuil give you anxiety? ›

About NyQuil

Dextromethorphan is also a stimulant, but symptom relief plus the calming effects of other ingredients ensures that the overall effect is one of relaxation. For most people. Although lingering drowsiness is a common side effect, many people who take NyQuil experience nervous anxiety instead.

How much alcohol is in NyQuil? ›

NyQuil medications contain several different ingredients. For many NyQuil liquid products, these ingredients include alcohol, with several containing 10% alcohol. However, the alcohol is not an active ingredient, which means that its purpose is not to relieve flu and cold symptoms.

Why can't I sleep after taking NyQuil? ›

With extended use, some people may notice that the typical amount they consume does not produce the same effect. Instead, it may take longer to fall asleep, or they may not be sleeping as long.

Is ZzzQuil the same as nyquil? ›

ZzzQuil reduces the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and relieves occasional sleeplessness, while NyQuil Cold & Flu treats nighttime symptoms of the common cold and flu such as sneezing, sore throat pain, headache, minor aches and pains, fever, runny nose, and cough.

Can NyQuil cause dark stool? ›

An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes). In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction.

What does DM mean in NyQuil? ›

Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is a combination of three medications: dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), doxylamine (an antihistamine), and phenylephrine (a decongestant). It's used to treat symptoms from the common cold. This medication is available over the counter as a liquid for both adults and children.

What pain reliever can I take with NyQuil? ›

Dayquil and Nyquil both contain acetaminophen, so if you take additional acetaminophen on top of that you can damage your liver. Advil/ibuprofen is in a different drug class than Tylenol/ibuprofen, so it is fine to combine ibuprofen doses with Dayquil/Nyquil.

What cold medicines should you not mix? ›

As a general rule, most multi-symptom cold & flu medicines should not be taken with other multi-symptom cold and flu medicines. If taking a single-symptom medication (like aspirin), you need to be sure that you don't take it with a drug of the same class (like Advil).

Why can't you take Nyquil with antidepressants? ›

Certain ingredients in cold medicine can change how antidepressants work, including making them less effective. They can also exacerbate side effects or cause new side effects.

Can you take Nyquil with sleep medication? ›

Since Nyquil causes drowsiness, you shouldn't combine it with other sleep aids, like melatonin for instance. This could cause potentially risky sedative effects, such as shallow breathing. You should also avoid alcohol when taking Nyquil, as it can increase sleepiness, dizziness, and other side effects.

Can I take Nyquil and Ibuprofen? ›

Dayquil and Nyquil both contain acetaminophen, so if you take additional acetaminophen on top of that you can damage your liver. Advil/ibuprofen is in a different drug class than Tylenol/ibuprofen, so it is fine to combine ibuprofen doses with Dayquil/Nyquil.

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