You should always consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions. Nyquil is a common over-the-counter flu remedy that contains multiple ingredients. It also has a few interactions with inhalers, which makes it important to understand what your doctor advises.
Depending on the type of inhaler you take and how often you use it, nyquil may or may not be safe for you. Some types of inhalers are more likely to cause interaction with nyquil than others. Depending on the type of inhaler you use and what condition you have, your doctor may recommend avoiding nyquil altogether or only taking it in certain circumstances.
Keep reading to learn more about whether or not you should take nyquil if you use an inhaler.
Table of Contents
What is an inhaler?
An inhaler is a device that delivers medication directly to the lungs. It’s used to treat asthma and other lung diseases by opening up the airways in your lungs.
Inhalers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and formulations. The most common types of inhalers contain a pressurized gas that delivers the medication to your lungs when you breathe out. Other inhalers are powder-based and require you to mix the medication with water and inhale the resulting mist.
Can you take nyquil if you have asthma?
There are lots of ingredients in nyquil that can negatively affect people with asthma.
In fact, if you have asthma, you should avoid taking nyquil altogether.
Some of the ingredients in nyquil can cause your airways to become more inflamed, which is especially dangerous if you also have asthma. That makes nyquil especially risky for people with asthma.
Nyquil can also suppress your immune system, which makes you more susceptible to contracting infections. If you have asthma, you already have a weaker immune system than someone without asthma. Therefore, you’re more likely to contract an infection if you’re taking nyquil.
Why is nyquil dangerous for people with inhalers?
The main issue with taking nyquil is that it can decrease the effect of your inhaler. That’s because certain ingredients in nyquil can interfere with the way your body absorbs medications.
That means if you take nyquil and a medication in your inhaler, the amount of the medication in your body could drop dramatically. That can be dangerous if you need your inhaler to treat a chronic disease like asthma. In some cases, it can be fatal if you take nyquil while using an epinephrine inhaler.
If you have asthma, it’s best to avoid taking nyquil altogether.
If you have another chronic lung disease, it’s important to talk to your doctor to see if nyquil is safe for you.
Is nyquil safe for COPD patients?
People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that use oxygen can also be negatively affected by nyquil. That’s because nyquil can decrease the amount of oxygen in your blood.
If you have COPD and use oxygen, it’s best to avoid taking nyquil altogether.
You should also consult with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications if you use oxygen.
It’s especially important to avoid taking ibuprofen-containing products, like nyquil. Ibuprofen can reduce the amount of oxygen your blood carries, which can be fatal if you have COPD and are using oxygen.
That’s why it’s important to consult with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications if you’re on oxygen.
Bottom line
Nyquil is a common over-the-counter medication used to treat colds and fevers. It contains multiple ingredients, some of which can interfere with how your body absorbs medications. That includes inhalers, which are often used to treat asthma and other lung diseases.
If you have asthma, COPD or another lung disease, it’s best to avoid taking nyquil altogether. You should also consult with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications if you use oxygen.
