Nyquil vs. Advil Congestion: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Nyquil Cold and Flu (acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/doxylamine) and Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain (ibuprofen/phenylephrine) are both over-the-counter medications used to treat symptoms of the common cold and flu, but they have different active ingredients and uses. Nyquil combines a pain reliever, a cough suppressant, and an antihistamine to address symptoms like cough, sore throat, fever, runny nose, and sneezing. It can make you very sleepy and is available in both liquid and capsule forms. On the other hand, Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain combines a pain reliever (ibuprofen) and a decongestant (phenylephrine) to relieve pain, sinus pressure, and nasal congestion. It is available in tablet form and should be taken every 4 hours. While Nyquil can cause liver damage if taken with other acetaminophen-containing products, Advil can cause stomach bleeding and should not be used by children under 12 or people with certain health conditions. Both medications should be used short-term and with caution, especially if you have other health issues or are taking other medications.

Nyquil Cold and Flu

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Ibuprofen/phenylephrine

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Summary for Nyquil

Over-the-counter

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 for Nyquil

Temporarily relieves common cold and flu symptoms, including:

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

Pros and Cons for Nyquil

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 for Nyquil

Sleepiness
Dizziness
Dry mouth

Warnings for Nyquil

Liver damage
Serotonin syndrome
Accidental overdose
Worsening of medical conditions
Allergic skin reactions

Summary for Advil Congestion

Over-the-counter

Ibuprofen/phenylephrine is a combination of two medications used to treat pain and congestion, which are symptoms of the common cold or flu. It's available over the counter (OTC) and as a lower-cost generic medication. Using it longer than recommended can put you at risk for side effects such as stomach bleeds.

Indications for Advil Congestion

Short-term relief of symptoms from the common cold or flu: headache, fever, sinus pressure, nasal congestion, minor body aches and pains
Lowers swelling in nasal passages
Improves freer breathing through the nose

Pros and Cons for Advil Congestion

Pros

Can treat a wide variety of common cold or flu symptoms
More convenient to take two medications in one pill
Available over the counter
Available as lower-cost generics

Cons

Needs to be taken every 4 hours
More difficult to customize the dose since ibuprofen/phenylephrine is a combination of two medications
Can cause stomach bleeding or stomach ulcers
Can't be used in children younger than 12 years old, right before or after heart surgery, or with current or recent (within the last 14 days) use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)