Nyquil is a medication commonly used for the treatment and relief of symptoms of the common cold, influenza, and other ailments. When taken as directed and in appropriate doses, nyquil is generally safe.
However, some people should not take this medication or should avoid it if they are sensitive to certain ingredients. While there is no alcohol in NyQuIL, it can still have negative side effects if you have any underlying conditions.
If you take NyQuIL when you’re also drinking alcohol or taking other medications that contain alcohol, this can be dangerous because the mixture could lead to an overdose or other harmful effects.
In this article, we’ll explain what nyquil has in it and whether nyquil has alcohol . We’ll also cover potential side effects from combining these substances together.
Table of Contents
What Is Nyquil?
Nyquil is a common over-the-counter (OTC) medication used to treat cold and flu symptoms. It comes in the form of an elixir and is available over the counter in a variety of different flavors.
NyQuil contains acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and doxylamine. Doxylamine is an antihistamine that helps relieve runny nose, sneezing, and congestion in the sinuses.
Dextromethorphan is an antitussive that helps ease coughing by reducing the amount of mucus in your lungs. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. It’s important to note that NyQuil also contains a small amount of alcohol and should not be combined with other alcohol-containing drugs.
How Does Nyquil Work?
NyQuil contains dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DM), doxylamine succinate (DS), and acetaminophen (AP). DM is a cough suppressant, DS is an antihistamine and AP is a fever reducer. Each of these ingredients works to treat the symptoms of common cold and flu. DM is also used to treat muscle cramps and spasms.
- DM – A cough suppressant that reduces the amount of mucus and phlegm in your lungs, making it easier to breathe.
- DS – An antihistamine that reduces the amount of histamine in the body, which is a chemical that causes inflammation and makes you feel stuffy and scratchy.
- AP – A fever reducer that works to bring down your temperature if you have a fever caused by flu or a cold.
Is There Alcohol in Nyquil?
There is no alcohol in NyQuil but it has 0.3%. This is a small amount that isn’t enough to get you drunk or cause any harm to your health.
NyQuil contains a small amount of alcohol, which is used as a solvent and flavoring agent.
The FDA allows this amount of alcohol in over-the-counter medications, but it should not be combined with other alcohol-containing drugs due to the risk for adverse effects.
Side Effects of Taking Nyquil with Alcohol
Some of the negative side effects you may experience if you take NyQuil when you’re also drinking alcohol or taking other medications that contain alcohol include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and headache.
You may also experience impaired judgment and coordination, which can lead to accidents. If you take a high enough dose of alcohol and NyQuil, you may experience severe confusion, loss of consciousness, and even coma.
If you’re taking other medications that contain alcohol, such as cough syrup, cold medicine, or sleep aids, the effects of NyQuil may be increased. This can result in dangerous side effects and increase your risk of experiencing an overdose.
Final Words
In general, it is not recommended to mix alcohol and medications, including over-the-counter medications, such as NyQuil. Even if the ingredients are listed on the bottle as safe, you should avoid combining them if possible. If you need to take NyQuil and alcohol, make sure not to take more than the recommended dose.
