How much nyquil to take

It causes significant drowsiness, as well as headaches and sinus dryness. Phenylephrine HCl is a decongestant. It relieves symptoms associated with sinus congestion, such as a runny nose.

Other side effects include dizziness, headache, and upset stomach. Some studies have examined the use of antihistamines to help with sleep. According to a literature review , some first-generation antihistamines may be helpful in treating short-term insomnia. In addition, doxylamine may cause undesirable side effects, including daytime drowsiness. Other side effects can include:. To take Nyquil safely, follow the instructions on the label.

You should always speak with your doctor before taking Nyquil if you:. This could cause potentially risky sedative effects, such as shallow breathing. You should also avoid alcohol when taking Nyquil, as it can increase sleepiness, dizziness, and other side effects.

In addition, since Nyquil contains acetaminophen, taking it repeatedly with alcohol can put you at risk of liver damage. Lifestyle changes have been shown to help with falling asleep and staying asleep. If you have a hard time getting good quality sleep, try the following:. Most people experience difficulty sleeping from time to time.

Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider if your inability to sleep lasts for more than a few weeks or if daytime drowsiness starts to interfere with your responsibilities at work or home. Nyquil contains the active ingredients acetaminophen, dextromethorphan HBr, doxylamine succinate, and sometimes, phenylephrine HCl.

Doxylamine is the main ingredient that causes sleepiness. Chronic insomnia can affect your physical and mental health in ways that extend far beyond waking up groggy. NyQuil provides temporary relief for coughing, headaches, stuffy and runny nose, sore throat, fever, and sneezing.

It also helps people with cold symptoms sleep through the night. While it provides relief for cold symptoms, it is not a cure for the common cold or the flu. NyQuil is generally safe and effective for adults and children over the age of 6. Acetaminophen reduces fever and alleviates minor pain, dextromethorphan suppresses coughing, and doxylamine is an antihistamine anti-allergy medication which relieves congestion, sneezing, and sore threat.

Doxylamine also helps people sleep, but it sometimes causes drowsiness during the day. Vicks also manufactures and sells DayQuil, a similar medication for users who want to relieve cold symptoms without feeling drowsy during the workday. DayQuil alleviates the same symptoms as NyQuil. DayQuil contains acetaminophen and dextromethorphan, but it does not contain doxylamine. Instead, DayQuil contains phenylephrine, a non-drowsy nasal decongestant.

Learn More. The most common side-effects of NyQuil, if any occur, are minor and do not require medical attention.

NyQuil is not dangerous if it used properly. The most likely side-effects are:. It is important that people who use NyQuil follow the instructions on the bottle and avoid taking too much. Someone who regularly takes too much NyQuil could lose consciousness or suffer liver damage from the acetaminophen.

Additionally, people should abstain from drinking alcohol while taking NyQuil and they should also avoid taking it together with an antidepressant or another medication which contains acetaminophen. Moreover, it is possible for someone to have an allergic reaction to NyQuil. The symptoms of an allergic reaction to NyQuil include rash, hives, itchiness, difficulty with swallowing and breathing, and swelling in the face, throat, and mouth.

A person who uses NyQuil correctly almost certainly will not become addicted, but someone who misuses NyQuil may develop dependence on the medication. Someone can misuse NyQuil by taking too much of it or by taking it for the wrong reasons, such as to treat asthma or chronic bronchitis, or for recreation. NyQuil is only designed to treat short-term symptoms, not cure long-term health problems.

NyQuil is not a cure for insomnia and it should not be used just to fall asleep. When a person starts to experience withdrawal symptoms when they put NyQuil back in the medicine cabinet, NyQuil dependence has escalated into NyQuil addiction.

Physical withdrawal symptoms most often characterize addictions to alcohol, opioids , and dangerous stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine , but addictions to common medications can cause withdrawal symptoms as well.

The symptoms of NyQuil withdrawal include:. When someone has a NyQuil addiction, the symptoms of withdrawal might prevent them from achieving recovery. Fortunately, people can manage withdrawal symptoms more easily with medical support, and someone with serious dependence on NyQuil or other drugs can escape the cycle of withdrawal and relapse by undergoing medically-supervised detox and therapy at a rehab facility.

Drink plenty of fluids when taking NyQuil. Measure the dosage carefully if you are taking NyQuil liquid. Shake the bottle well before using it if you are taking a suspension form.

If you are taking chewable forms, make sure to chew them carefully before swallowing it. Drop the effervescent tablet into 4 ounces of water, stir it and drink it.

Call your doctor if you have a high fever after 3 days of taking NyQuil, if you are in pain after 7 days of taking NyQuil, if the signs and symptoms tend to get worse, or if skin redness, rash, and headache appear.

Look for side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, nose and throat, blurred vision, dizziness, nervousness, drowsiness, etc.

Contact your doctor immediately in cases of a slow, fast or irregular heartbeat, seizures, trouble urinating, mood changes, shaking as these serious side effects can even be fatal.

NyQuil should not be used in cases of an allergy to acetaminophen, doxylamine, pseudoephedrine or dextromethorphan. NyQuil should not be used in cases when you have taken a MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days. Ask your doctor if NyQuil should be used in cases when suffering from other medical conditions such as glaucoma, overactive thyroid, liver disease, cirrhosis, bladder obstruction, bowel obstruction, heart disease, coronary artery disease, pheochromocytoma, etc.

There is not enough information when it comes to taking NyQuil while pregnant. It is better recommended not to take NyQuil while pregnant. Do not use NyQuil if breastfeeding as acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine, and other NyQuil ingredients may pass into breast milk, harming your newborn. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking NyQuil. Alcohol and NyQuil when taken together increase the risk for liver damage, leading to possible side effects. NyQuil might result in a blurred vision or impaired thinking.