You’re in a happy state of buzzedness from an evening with friends, but you know there’s tomorrow and its hangover. You want to make sure things are going smoothly so you avoid the worst of it. And that means knowing how long to wait to take nyquil after drinking alcohol before bed.
It seems like a straightforward question, but when you sift through all the varying recommendations on how long to wait to take nyquil after drinking alcohol, there is no universal consensus. Many sources say one thing, only to have another contradict them with another answer.
So which is it? Keep reading for all you need to know about how long to wait before taking NyQuil if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
Table of Contents
What is nyquil and what does it do?
Nyquil is a liquid medication that you can take to relieve the symptoms of a cold or flu. It’s usually a combination of different things, such as acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and other ingredients. Acetaminophen is a mild painkiller, and dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant.
Almost all nyquil (or its various knock-offs) contain antihistamines. These are used to treat allergies and some cold-like symptoms. They also help you fall asleep by relaxing your muscles, including your blood vessels.
If you don’t have allergies and you catch a cold, you may not want to take an antihistamine. They can make you drowsy, which is great if you have a cold and want to fall asleep.
When should you take nyquil?
A common question is if you should take nyquil first or alcohol first. In general, if you can, it’s best to take the nyquil first.
Taking the nyquil first means that the alcohol will be metabolized by your body before the nyquil kicks in and you start feeling drowsy. If you take the nyquil after the alcohol, this means the alcohol will have metabolized by the time the nyquil kicks in and you start feeling drowsy.
How long to wait before taking Nyquil after drinking alcohol?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how long to wait before taking nyquil after drinking alcohol. You’ll want to pay attention to your body and how you feel.
If you’ve been taking the nyquil for allergies, you usually only want to wait about an hour. This will give you time to fall asleep before the nyquil kicks in and makes you drowsy.
If you’ve been taking nyquil for a cold, you’ll want to wait longer. You can take nyquil every four to six hours. This means you can take another one after you’ve been drinking alcohol and still have time before you feel drowsy.
You can also try to get a slow-release nyquil that releases in your body over an extended period of time.
Is there an easy way to calculate how long to wait before taking Nyquil after drinking alcohol?
If you have a calculator nearby, you can try this formula:
Multiply the amount of alcohol in your system by the number of hours you’ve been drinking. Then, divide that number by the amount of milligrams in your nyquil.
For example, if you’ve been drinking for six hours and you drink two beers, the equation is: 6 x 2 = 12 12 / 10 = 1.2
So you would need to wait around one and a half times your normal waiting period.
How long does it take for nyquil to work?
This varies from person to person. There are several factors that could affect how long it takes for you to start feeling the effects of nyquil.
Some people may start feeling relief within an hour. Others may take four to six hours to experience relief.
It’s important to note that nyquil can make you drowsy and make it harder to stay alert while driving. So if you have to drive, you should use caution.
And yes, you should definitely wait until you’ve finished taking nyquil before driving.
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how long to wait before taking nyquil after drinking alcohol. You’ll have to pay attention to your body and how you feel.
For best results, try to take the nyquil first, then drink alcohol later. If you take the nyquil first, it’ll will be metabolized by your body before the alcohol kicks in and you start feeling drowsy.
Remember that nyquil can make you drowsy and make it harder to stay alert while driving. So if you have to drive, you should use caution.
