Dayquil is an over-the-counter medication used to treat the common cold, flu, and other viral infections. It’s also useful for relieving nasal congestion, sneezing, stuffy nose, and other symptoms of a cold. If you have a nasty case of the sniffles,
Dayquil can help ease some of your discomfort and get you back to feeling normal sooner. But how long does Dayquil last? How long until you can take it again? Keep reading to learn everything you ever wanted to know about this medicine. >
Table of Contents
What Is Dayquil?
Dayquil is an over-the-counter medication used to treat the common cold, flu, and other viral infections. It’s also useful for relieving nasal congestion, sneezing, stuffy nose, and other symptoms of a cold.
This drug is a combination of two active ingredients: acetaminophen and dextromethorphan. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.
Dextromethorphan is an antitussive that can reduce coughs. Dayquil is similar to the prescription drug Trilex, which also contains acetaminophen and dextromethorphan.
How Does Dayquil Work?
Dayquil is an over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine that comes in liquid and tablet forms. It contains acetaminophen and dextromethorphan, which are both cough suppressants. It also has an expectorant that helps loosen the mucus in the lungs to make it easier to cough out.
A cough suppressant can help reduce a person’s urge to cough by numbing the airway so they don’t feel the need to cough as much. Expectorants can help break up the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough out.
How Long Does Dayquil Last?
Generally, Dayquil lasts for 12 hours. But there are factors that can affect this. For example, if you have liver or kidney disease, certain medications, or are an older adult, it may take longer for Dayquil to leave your system.
When to Take Dayquil?
Before you take Dayquil, make sure you read the instructions on the label. You’ll likely see recommendations to take the medication at the first signs of a cold. If your cold symptoms feel particularly intense or don’t ease up after a day or two, you may need antibiotics.
Antibiotics work best when taken at the earliest sign of an infection. So if you have a cold, you don’t need antibiotics. But if you have a bacterial infection, like strep throat, you will need antibiotics.
Side Effects of Dayquil
As with any drug, there are potential side effects of Dayquil. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, abdominal pain, rash, and blurred vision. You may experience blurred vision if you take Dayquil and also wear contact lenses. If you experience eye pain or blurred vision, you should stop taking Dayquil and talk to your doctor.
You may need to switch to another form of cold medicine. If you have a history of lung or heart disease, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications, you may want to talk to your doctor before taking Dayquil. These populations should use Dayquil with caution.
Conclusion
Overall, Dayquil is an excellent over-the-counter medication that can help ease many of the symptoms of a cold. It contains acetaminophen and dextromethorphan, which help reduce fever, pain, and nasal congestion. It also contains an expectorant that helps loosen the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough out.
Generally, Dayquil lasts for 12 hours, but there are factors that can affect this. For example, if you have liver or kidney disease, certain medications, or are an older adult, it may take longer for Dayquil to leave your system.
