Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Nasacort Allergy vs. Nyquil

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) and Nyquil Cold and Flu (acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/doxylamine) are both over-the-counter medications, but they serve different purposes and have different active ingredients. Nasacort is a corticosteroid nasal spray used to relieve hay fever and allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It works by reducing inflammation in your nose and is typically used once daily. On the other hand, Nyquil Cold and Flu is a combination of a pain reliever, cough suppressant, and antihistamine, used to treat cold and flu symptoms such as cough, sore throat, fever, and runny nose. Nyquil is taken orally and can make you feel sleepy, so it's often used at night. Nasacort isn't likely to make you tired. While Nasacort is generally safe for long-term use under guidance, Nyquil is meant for short-term use and should not be taken with other medications containing acetaminophen due to the risk of liver damage.

  • Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide)
    Nyquil cold and flu
  • Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide)
    Nyquil cold and flu

  • Summary of Nasacort Allergy vs. Nyquil

    Summary for Corticosteroid

    Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) is a nasal spray for adults and children 2 years of age and older that helps relieve symptoms of hay fever and allergies, including sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It's used once daily and typically lasts for 24 hours. Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) doesn't have many side effects, but you might have a temporary sore throat or cough after you use it. Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) is available over the counter as a brand-name and generic medication.

    Summary for Analgesic / Cough suppressant / Antihistamine

    Nyquil Cold and Flu is a combination medication containing acetaminophen (a pain reliever), dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), and doxylamine (an antihistamine). It's used to treat cold and flu symptoms, like sore throat, fever, cough, runny nose, sneezing, and aches, in adults and children. Nyquil Cold and Flu is available as pills and a liquid. This medication can make you feel sleepy and dizzy as side effects.

  • Indications of Nasacort Allergy vs. Nyquil

    Indications for
    •Hay fever and allergy symptoms (nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose)
    Indications for

    Temporarily relieves common cold and flu symptoms, including:

    •Cough
    •Sore throat
    •Headache
    •Minor aches and pains
    •Fever
    •Runny nose
    •Sneezing

  • Pros and Cons of Nasacort Allergy vs. Nyquil

    Pros and Const for Corticosteroid
    Pros
    •Available as a generic, over-the-counter product
    •Used once daily and can last up to 24 hours
    •Not likely to make you sleepy
    •Small, portable spray that's easy to carry and use anywhere
    Cons
    •Might take up to 1 week for some symptoms to get better
    •Might not be a good option if you have an injured nose or recently had nasal surgery
    •Might slow down the growth rate in children if used for longer than 2 months per year
    •Not meant to be used to relieve common cold symptoms
    Pros and Const for Analgesic / Cough suppressant / Antihistamine
    Pros
    •Available over the counter
    •Works within 30 minutes to relieve cold and flu symptoms
    •Available in capsules and a liquid
    •Combines three medications in one product for convenience
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Needs to be taken multiple times per day
    •Can cause extreme sleepiness
    •More difficult to customize the dose since it's a fixed combination of three medications
    •Need to avoid alcohol while taking it
    •Not meant for long-term use

  • Common Side Effects of Nasacort Allergy vs. Nyquil

    Common Side Effects for

    Adults and children 12 years or older:

    •Sore throat (5%)
    •Nose bleed (3%)
    •Cough (2%)

    Children ages 4 to 12 years:

    •Flu-like symptoms (9%)
    •Cough (8%)
    •Sore throat (8%)
    •Bronchitis (3%)
    •Indigestion (3%)
    •Tooth problems (3%)

    Children ages 2 to 5 years:

    •Headache (6%)
    •Sore throat (6%)
    •Nose bleed (5%)
    •Common cold symptoms (5%)
    •Stomach pain (5%)
    •Diarrhea (3%)
    •Asthma (3%)
    •Rash (3%)
    •Skin picking problem (3%)
    •Runny nose (2%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness
    •Dizziness
    •Dry mouth

  • Warnings of Nasacort Allergy vs. Nyquil

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nasal problems
    •Eye problems
    •Higher risk of infections
    •Slowed growth rate in children
    Common Side Effects for
    •Liver damage
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •Accidental overdose
    •Worsening of medical conditions
    •Allergic skin reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Nasacort Allergy vs. Nyquil

    Learn more about Nasacort
    Learn more about Nyquil cold and flu

Compare other Nasal Congestion drugs

Benadryl vs Nasacort AqDymista vs Nasacort AqFlonase vs Nasacort AqNasacort Aq vs Advil Allergy And Congestion ReliefNasacort Aq vs Afrin
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.