If you experience bouts of hypertension after drinking alcohol, then milder drinks such as wine or beer might be a better option. NyQuil is one of the most popular over-the-counter remedies for relieving flu and cold symptoms, but it is not meant to be used regularly or in large quantities.
If you have high blood pressure and are sensitive to the effects of alcohol, avoiding nyquil alone will not keep your blood pressure from shooting up when you drink.
That being said, we’ll explain whether nyquil lowers blood pressure so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to drink it if you have high blood pressure.
Table of Contents
What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force that blood pumps through the body via the arteries. It’s measured in terms of two numbers: Systolic pressure is the force in your arteries when the heart is contracting (squeezing) to push blood out, while diastolic pressure is the force in your arteries when the heart is relaxing.
Diastolic blood pressure below 100 and systolic blood pressure below 120 are considered normal. Blood pressure above 140/90 is considered high blood pressure.
Generally, high blood pressure has no symptoms. It’s important to be aware of your blood pressure, even if it’s normal, because it’s a leading cause of heart disease and stroke.
You can have high blood pressure for years and not know it. Early detection and treatment are the best ways to prevent complications.
How does alcohol affect your blood pressure?
As with any substance, it all comes down to how much you consume and the resulting changes in your body. Alcohol is metabolized in the liver, where it is broken down into acetate and carbon dioxide.
As your body metabolizes alcohol, pressure inside the blood vessels increases. This causes a rise in blood pressure that can last for several hours after drinking. The more you drink, and the faster you drink, the greater the impact on your blood pressure.
In addition to the direct effects of alcohol on your blood vessels, consuming alcohol can also cause a drop in your blood pressure if you have certain medical conditions.
If you have high blood pressure, drinking alcohol can cause your blood pressure to rise. Alcohol-induced high blood pressure may persist even after you have metabolized all the alcohol.
Does nyquil lower blood pressure?
The active ingredients in nyquil are acetaminophen and dextromethorphan.
Dextromethorphan : This is a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cough medicines, including nyquil. It acts on serotonin receptors in your brain and has been found to lower blood pressure when used in large doses.
Acetaminophen : Another common over-the-counter pain reliever. Its main side effect is an elevated risk of liver damage with high doses.
Based on the active ingredients in nyquil, it is possible that drinking the beverage could lower your blood pressure.
However, this effect is less pronounced than with other cough medicines. It is unlikely that a single serving of nyquil would cause a noticeable change in your blood pressure.
The dangers of mixing nyquil and alcohol
Alcohol and blood pressure issues can be a dangerous combination. Even if nyquil does not lower blood pressure, consuming alcohol with a cold or flu can intensify the symptoms.
A cold is a viral infection that causes mild flu-like symptoms like runny nose, congestion, and fatigue. The flu is a bacterial infection that causes fever, body aches, and cough.
Both diseases cause watery eyes, which can lead to blurry vision. If you drink alcohol when you have a cold or flu, you may experience more intense symptoms and a higher chance of complications.
In addition to exacerbating the symptoms of a cold or flu, consuming alcohol while you have high blood pressure significantly increases your risk of serious complications. Alcohol-induced high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage.
Conclusion
All in all, nyquil is not the best drink choice if you have high blood pressure or are sensitive to alcohol. First of all, it is a cough syrup, so it is high in sugar, which can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. And if you are also sensitive to alcohol, nyquil can cause dehydration and further blood pressure issues.
If you have high blood pressure and want to enjoy a beverage now and then, try drinking wine, beer, or spirits. When consumed in moderate amounts, these beverages can help prevent blood pressure issues.
