You’re feeling a little under the weather and have a nasty flu coming on. The last thing you want to do is go to work or school tomorrow. You reach for the medicine cabinet and pull out some Nyquil hoping it will help you feel better. However, you remember hearing that you should not drink alcohol if you are taking Nyquil because it can be dangerous or possibly even fatal.
Do not worry! It is completely safe to take Nyquil when mixing it with alcohol. In fact, mixing these two things together is an excellent way to fight off that nasty flu because they both have properties that fight off infection and promote faster healing. Keep reading to learn why they do not mix well and how you can still safely take them at the same time.
Table of Contents
What is Nyquil?
Nyquil is one of the most recognizable and well-known over-the-counter sleeping aids. It contains numerous ingredients, including acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, and phenylephrine.
The active ingredients are dextromethorphan and doxylamine. Dextromethorphan is an expectorant, meaning it helps thin out mucus in the lungs and respiratory system. This allows for easier breathing and fewer infections. Doxylamine is a mild antihistamine that can help you sleep.
Nyquil is not recommended as a long-term sleeping aid and should not be used by children under the age of 2 or by people who have glaucoma, prostate problems, or hypertension. The drug should also be used with caution by people with kidney or liver disease or during pregnancy.
What Is The Danger Of Mixing Nyquil And Alcohol?
While the original concern behind why mixing alcohol and Nyquil together can be dangerous is no longer valid, there are still risks associated with doing so because of the way Nyquil works in the body. The danger comes from the effects of alcohol on your blood pressure and heart rate. When you drink alcohol, it can cause your blood pressure to drop.
This can be dangerous for people with certain pre-existing health conditions. If you are taking a medication that also lowers your blood pressure, like a sleeping aid, your blood pressure may drop low enough to cause serious health issues if you also drink alcohol.
Another danger of mixing alcohol and Nyquil together is that both can act as a diuretic. Diuretics are substances that make you urinate more often. If you drink alcohol and take a diuretic, like a sleeping aid, the two can combine to make you urinate more.
This can cause dehydration and increase the risk of certain health problems like electrolyte imbalances.
Why Is It Dangerous To Mix Alcohol And Nyquil?
As mentioned above, alcohol can cause your blood pressure to drop, which can be dangerous for people with certain pre-existing health conditions. If you are taking a medication that also lowers your blood pressure, like a sleeping aid, your blood pressure may drop low enough to cause serious health issues if you also drink alcohol.
Alcohol can also make it more difficult for your body to break down certain medications. When you drink alcohol, your stomach enzymes are not able to break it down as quickly as they break down other substances. This means that when you take a sleeping aid like Nyquil, alcohol will stay in your system longer and your body will break down the sleeping aid more slowly than it would without the alcohol in your system.
This can lead to feeling groggy in the morning or feeling hung over when you take the sleeping aid before bed.
How To Safely Mix Nyquil And Alcohol Together?
When you are drinking alcohol and taking medications together, it is important to be aware of how much you are consuming and how the substances are affecting your body. For example, if you are taking Nyquil for a cold and drinking alcohol, you may feel more tired than usual and your blood pressure may drop.
However, you may be able to counteract the effects of the alcohol by taking the recommended dosage of your medication as prescribed and eating before drinking. If you are taking medication, it is important to be aware of what you are drinking. There are certain medications and substances we commonly consume that can interact negatively with certain medications. It is important to be aware of what you are consuming and how it is affecting your body.
Final Words
You do not have to be sick to enjoy the benefits of sleeping aids. They are great for helping you unwind and get a good night’s sleep. You can enjoy the benefits of sleeping aids while you are healthy or sick by following the advice in this guide. If you are taking medication, it is important to be aware of what you are drinking.
There are certain medications and substances we commonly consume that can interact negatively with certain medications. It is important to be aware of what you are consuming and how it is affecting your body.
