Compare Nyquil vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Key takeaways
Nyquil Cold and Flu (acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/doxylamine) and Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain (acetaminophen/phenylephrine) are both over-the-counter medications used to relieve symptoms of the common cold and flu, but they have different active ingredients and uses. Nyquil Cold and Flu combines a pain reliever, a cough suppressant, and an antihistamine, making it effective for treating symptoms like cough, sore throat, fever, runny nose, and sneezing. It can make you sleepy due to the antihistamine doxylamine. On the other hand, Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain includes a pain reliever and a decongestant, which helps with sinus congestion and pressure due to the common cold or seasonal allergies. Unlike Nyquil, Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain does not typically cause drowsiness and might even keep you awake because of the decongestant, phenylephrine. Both medications should be taken with caution to avoid overdose, especially since they both contain acetaminophen.
- Nyquil cold and fluSudafed pe pressure and pain (acetaminophen / phenylephrine)
- Nyquil cold and fluSudafed pe pressure and pain (acetaminophen / phenylephrine)
Summary of Nyquil vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Summary for Analgesic / Cough suppressant / AntihistamineNyquil 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.
Summary for Analgesic / DecongestantSudafed PE Pressure and Pain is an over-the-counter, brand-name product containing two active ingredients: acetaminophen (an analgesic that relieves pain) and phenylephrine (a decongestant that clears the sinuses). This combination medication is also available as lower-cost generics and under other brand names, such as Tylenol Sinus Plus Headache. In general, it's used to relieve symptoms from allergies and the common cold, such as pain and nasal and sinus congestion. This medication can also lower fevers. The caplets are taken by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Side effects aren't common but can include headache and dizziness.
Indications of Nyquil vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Indications forTemporarily relieves common cold and flu symptoms, including:
•Cough•Sore throat•Headache•Minor aches and pains•Fever•Runny nose•SneezingIndications for•Short-term relief of allergy and common cold symptoms, such as sinus congestion and pressure, nasal congestion (stuffy nose), headache, and minor aches and pains•Short-term relief of feverPros and Cons of Nyquil vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Pros and Const for Analgesic / Cough suppressant / AntihistaminePros•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 genericCons•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 usePros and Const for Analgesic / DecongestantPros•Can treat a wide variety of allergy and common cold symptoms•More convenient to take two medications in one pill•Available over the counter•Available as lower-cost genericsCons•Might need to take every 4 hours to relieve symptoms•More difficult to customize the dose since it's a combination of two medications•Risk for liver damage if you take too muchCommon Side Effects of Nyquil vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Warnings of Nyquil vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Common Side Effects for•Liver damage•Serotonin syndrome•Accidental overdose•Worsening of medical conditions•Allergic skin reactionsCommon Side Effects for•Liver damage•Accidentally taking too much medication•Worsening of certain medical conditions•Allergic skin reactionsPrices with our coupons for Nyquil vs. Sudafed PE Pressure and Pain
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.