Key takeaways:
DayQuil is a line of several different over-the-counter (OTC) products. The medications included and their dosages vary between products.
You can take most DayQuil products every 4 hours as needed, up to 4 times a day. But there is a higher-dose formulation called DayQuil Intense Flu that you should only take every 6 hours, up to 3 times a day. Read the OTC label carefully before taking a dose.
Many DayQuil products aren’t suitable for children under age 12. And you shouldn’t give any DayQuil products to kids under age 6 without a pediatrician’s OK.
DayQuil is available OTC as a brand-name medication. But you can also find it as a lower-cost generic. If a healthcare professional writes you a prescription for DayQuil, GoodRx can help make your medication more affordable.
Save on related medications
If you’re looking for relief from a cold or the flu, you might be considering taking a combination cold medication like DayQuil. This over-the-counter (OTC) product combines a few medications to treat multiple symptoms at once. But there’s often a dizzying array of DayQuil products on pharmacy shelves — each with slightly different instructions.
It’s important to know what cold medication you’re taking and how much to take. So let’s discuss typical DayQuil dosages for adults and children.
What’s the typical DayQuil dosage for adults?
DayQuil isn’t a single medication, but rather a brand name for a line of OTC products. Each one contains slightly different ingredients. You can find the name and purpose of each medication listed in the active ingredients section of the OTC label.
Most DayQuil products combine two or more of the following medications into one treatment:
Acetaminophen for pain or fever
Dextromethorphan to quiet a cough
Guaifenesin to help thin mucus
Phenylephrine to relieve a stuffy nose or sinuses
Good to know: In September 2023, the FDA deemed that oral phenylephrine is ineffective for congestion. Many cold medications will be reformulated without it in the future. Until that happens, you may still see phenylephrine included in some cold medications, including DayQuil products. Phenylephrine isn’t harmful for most people to take; it just likely won’t provide much benefit.
DayQuil Cold & Flu dosage
This DayQuil formulation comes as a capsule or liquid. It’s also available as an ultra concentrated capsule if you prefer a smaller-sized pill. One capsule, or 15 mL of liquid, contains:
Acetaminophen 325 mg
Dextromethorphan 10 mg
Phenylephrine 5 mg
Adults can take 2 capsules or 30 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (8 capsules or 120 mL) in 24 hours.
DayQuil Severe dosage
DayQuil Severe comes as a capsule or liquid. It also has two additional flavor options: VapoCOOL (menthol-flavored caplet or liquid) and honey. The flavors don’t affect how the medications work.
One capsule, one caplet, or 15 mL of liquid contains:
Acetaminophen 325 mg
Dextromethorphan 10 mg
Phenylephrine 5 mg
Guaifenesin 200 mg
Adults can take 2 pills or 30 mL of liquid by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (8 pills or 120 mL) in 24 hours.
DayQuil Hot Remedy dosage
DayQuil Hot Remedy comes as a powder that’s dissolved in hot water to make a beverage. Each powder packet contains:
Acetaminophen 500 mg
Dextromethorphan 20 mg
Phenylephrine 10 mg
Adults should dissolve the contents of 1 packet into 8 oz (240 mL) of hot water. You can also dissolve the powder in 8 oz of cool water and then microwave the mixture to warm it up. Just be careful not to boil it.
Consume the entire drink within 10 to 15 minutes. Mix and drink 1 packet every 4 hours as needed. Don’t use more than 6 packets in 24 hours.
DayQuil High Blood Pressure dosage
DayQuil High Blood Pressure comes as a liquid. Each 15 mL dose contains acetaminophen 325 mg and dextromethorphan 10 mg. This alcohol-free formulation shouldn’t raise your blood pressure, unlike many other cold medications. It’s also sugar-free, so it’s a safer option if you have diabetes.
Adults can take 30 mL of liquid by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours.
DayQuil Elderberry Cold & Flu dosage
DayQuil Elderberry comes as a liquid. Each 15 mL dose contains acetaminophen 325 mg and dextromethorphan 10 mg. Elderberry supplements may help support the immune system and fight off infections. But in this product, elderberry is an inactive ingredient that’s used to flavor the product.
Adults can take 30 mL of liquid by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours.
Good to know: This product contains the same active ingredients and has the same instructions as DayQuil High Blood Pressure. It’s also alcohol- and sugar-free.
DayQuil Cough DM + Congestion dosage
DayQuil Cough DM + Congestion comes as a liquid. Each 15 mL dose contains:
Dextromethorphan 10 mg
Phenylephrine 5 mg
Guaifenesin 200 mg
Adults can take 30 mL of liquid by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours.
DayQuil Intense Flu dosage
DayQuil Intense Flu comes as a liquid. Each 15 mL dose contains acetaminophen 500 mg and dextromethorphan 15 mg. This formulation provides a higher dose of these two medications than most other DayQuil products.
Adults can take 30 mL of liquid by mouth every 6 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 3 doses (90 mL) in 24 hours.
DayQuil-D Cold and Sinus Plus Severe Congestion dosage
DayQuil-D Cold and Sinus Plus Severe Congestion comes as a capsule. It’s the only formulation of DayQuil that contains pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that’s more effective than the phenylephrine used in other DayQuil products. Each capsule contains:
Acetaminophen 325 mg
Dextromethorphan 10 mg
Guaifenesin 200 mg
Pseudoephedrine 30 mg
Adults can take 2 capsules every 4 hours. Don’t take more than 4 doses (8 capsules) in 24 hours.
Good to know: Pseudoephedrine has a risk of misuse and dependence. Because of this, it’s kept behind the pharmacy counter. You’ll have to show a form of government-issued photo identification to purchase it. There are also limits to how much you can buy per day and per month.
What’s the typical DayQuil dosage for children?
Children ages 12 and older can take the adult dosages for any DayQuil product. Some products can be given to younger children. Be sure to ask your child’s pediatrician before using DayQuil if you don’t see a dose listed for your child’s age group. Some age groups may require lower dosing, or may be too young to safely use DayQuil at all.
Keep in mind that not all dosage forms and flavors are crowd favorites when it comes to kids. DayQuil makes a few products specifically labeled for kids. But some products marketed for adults also include children’s dosage instructions on them.
Children’s dosage for DayQuil Kids Honey Cold and Cough plus Mucus Relief
DayQuil Kids Honey comes as a honey-flavored liquid. Every 15 mL contains:
Dextromethorphan 10 mg
Phenylephrine 5 mg
Guaifenesin 100 mg
The dosage for DayQuil Kids Honey is as follows:
Ages 12 and older: Take 30 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 6-11: Give 15 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 4 doses (60 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 4-5: Speak to your child’s pediatrician before giving.
Under age 4: Do not give.
Children’s dosage for DayQuil Kids Cold and Cough + Fever
DayQuil Kids Cold and Cough + Fever is a grape-flavored liquid. Every 15 mL contains:
Acetaminophen 325 mg
Dextromethorphan 10 mg
The children’s dosage for DayQuil Kids Cold and Cough + Fever is as follows:
Ages 12 and older: Take 30 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 6-11: Give 15 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 4 doses (60 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 4-5: Speak to your child’s pediatrician before giving.
Under age 4: Do not give.
Children’s dosage for DayQuil Kids Free of Artificial Dyes and Sugar Cold and Cough + Mucus
DayQuil Kids Free of Artificial Dyes and Sugar Cold and Cough + Mucus is a strawberry-flavored liquid. It’s a good option for kids that have allergies to or should otherwise avoid artificial dyes. It’s also a safer option for children living with diabetes. Every 15 mL contains:
Dextromethorphan 10 mg
Guaifenesin 200 mg
The children’s dosage for DayQuil Kids Free of Artificial Dyes and Sugar Cold and Cough + Mucus is as follows:
Ages 12 and older: Take 30 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 6-11: Give 15 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 4 doses (60 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 4-5: Speak to your child’s pediatrician before giving.
Under age 4: Do not give.
Children’s dosage for DayQuil Cold & Flu
DayQuil Cold & Flu is an adult DayQuil product that includes directions for children on the package. But only the liquid version of this DayQuil product is safe for kids under age 12. Every 15 mL contains:
Acetaminophen 325 mg
Dextromethorphan 10 mg
Phenylephrine 5 mg
The children’s dosage for DayQuil Cold & Flu is as follows:
Ages 12 and older: Take 30 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 6-11: Give 15 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 4 doses (60 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 4-5: Speak to your child’s pediatrician before giving.
Under age 4: Do not give.
Children’s dosage for DayQuil Severe
Only the honey-flavored liquid version of DayQuil Severe provides children’s dosage instructions. Every 15 mL contains:
Acetaminophen 325 mg
Dextromethorphan 10 mg
Phenylephrine 5 mg
Guaifenesin 200 mg
The children’s dosage for DayQuil Severe is as follows:
Ages 12 and older: Take 30 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 6 to 11: Give 15 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 4 doses (60 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 4 to 5: Speak to your child’s pediatrician before giving.
Under age 4: Do not give.
Children’s dosage for DayQuil Elderberry Cold & Flu
DayQuil Elderberry is another adult product that provides children’s dosages. Every 15 mL contains acetaminophen 325 mg and dextromethorphan 10 mg.
The children’s dosage for DayQuil Elderberry Cold & Flu is as follows:
Ages 12 and older: Take 30 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 6-11: Give 15 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 4 doses (60 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 4-5: Speak to your child’s pediatrician before giving.
Under age 4: Do not give.
Children’s dosage for DayQuil Cough DM + Congestion
DayQuil Cough DM + Congestion is also safe for kids under age 12. A 15 mL dose contains:
Dextromethorphan 10 mg
Phenylephrine 5 mg
Guaifenesin 200 mg
The children’s dosage for DayQuil Cough DM + Congestion is as follows:
Ages 12 and older: Take 30 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 4 doses (120 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 6-11: Give 15 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 4 doses (60 mL) in 24 hours.
Ages 4-5: Speak to your child’s pediatrician before giving.
Under age 4: Do not give.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
There are no suggested dosage adjustments for DayQuil products for people with certain health conditions. But there are a few instances when you should talk to a healthcare professional before taking DayQuil.
Liver problems
Many DayQuil products contain acetaminophen, which is processed by your liver. For most people, occasional acetaminophen use at safe doses isn’t a problem. But if you have liver problems, you may need to take lower doses, or avoid acetaminophen altogether. This can help prevent liver damage.
Be sure to read cold medication labels carefully. Acetaminophen is a common ingredient across many medications. It can be easy to accidentally take too much acetaminophen by combining multiple cold medications or pain relievers.
High blood pressure
The phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine that’s in some DayQuil products tighten blood vessels in and around the nose. But they can also tighten other blood vessels and raise blood pressure. DayQuil High Blood Pressure and DayQuil Elderberry Cold & Flu don’t include those ingredients and would be safer options if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.
Pregnancy
Talk to your prenatal care team about safe options to treat cold and flu symptoms if you’re pregnant. Some of the medications in DayQuil may not be suitable for all stages of pregnancy.
What happens if you miss a dose of DayQuil?
DayQuil products are taken only when needed to help with cold and flu symptoms. So, you don’t need to worry about missing a dose. But, you do need to remember to wait at least 4 hours between each dose (or 6 hours for DayQuil Intense Flu). And never take more than the maximum recommended doses per day (3 or 4 doses per day depending on the product).
What should you do if you take too much DayQuil?
Taking too much DayQuil can lead to potentially dangerous side effects, including possible liver damage. Follow the package instructions carefully, and use the provided dosing cup when measuring liquid doses. Be sure to ask a pharmacist before combining DayQuil with other cough and cold products. Many contain the same or similar ingredients which can cause an unintended overdose.
Misusing OTC cough syrup is a known issue, especially among teens. An overdose of DayQuil could cause liver damage, seizures, or loss of consciousness. If you suspect that you or someone in your family has taken too much DayQuil, contact your prescriber or Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. If you notice any life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
How to save on DayQuil
There are many ways to save on DayQuil, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having a healthcare professional write a prescription for OTC DayQuil, GoodRx can help you save over 60% off the average retail price. DayQuil’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $12.27 with a free GoodRx discount.
Frequently asked questions
It depends. Taking DayQuil products that contain a decongestant, such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, at night can make it hard for you to sleep. And getting enough rest is important when you’re sick.
Consider a nighttime cold medication, such as NyQuil, instead. These products contain an antihistamine that can help you sleep while you’re sick.
Wait at least 4 to 6 hours after taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) before taking most formulations of DayQuil. Some versions of Tylenol, though, last for up to 8 hours at a time. So read the OTC label carefully and double-check with your pharmacist on timing.
Many DayQuil products also contain acetaminophen. So taking DayQuil and Tylenol too close to each other can cause you to take too much acetaminophen. DayQuil Cough DM + Congestion doesn’t contain acetaminophen, so it’s safer to mix with Tylenol.
Ask a pharmacist before combining DayQuil and Mucinex products. Most Mucinex products contain guaifenesin. This medication is also included in several DayQuil products. What’s more, both cold medicine brands may contain other overlapping ingredients, such as acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, or phenylephrine. It’s easy to accidentally duplicate ingredients if you take DayQuil and Mucinex together. It’s a good idea to stick to just one combination cold medication.
It depends. Taking DayQuil products that contain a decongestant, such as phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, at night can make it hard for you to sleep. And getting enough rest is important when you’re sick.
Consider a nighttime cold medication, such as NyQuil, instead. These products contain an antihistamine that can help you sleep while you’re sick.
Wait at least 4 to 6 hours after taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) before taking most formulations of DayQuil. Some versions of Tylenol, though, last for up to 8 hours at a time. So read the OTC label carefully and double-check with your pharmacist on timing.
Many DayQuil products also contain acetaminophen. So taking DayQuil and Tylenol too close to each other can cause you to take too much acetaminophen. DayQuil Cough DM + Congestion doesn’t contain acetaminophen, so it’s safer to mix with Tylenol.
Ask a pharmacist before combining DayQuil and Mucinex products. Most Mucinex products contain guaifenesin. This medication is also included in several DayQuil products. What’s more, both cold medicine brands may contain other overlapping ingredients, such as acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, or phenylephrine. It’s easy to accidentally duplicate ingredients if you take DayQuil and Mucinex together. It’s a good idea to stick to just one combination cold medication.
The bottom line
DayQuil products combine a few over-the-counter cough and cold medications into one convenient dose. But each DayQuil product may have different ingredients, directions, and recommended age groups. You can take most DayQuil products every 4 hours as needed, up to 4 doses per day. But there’s a higher-dose product called DayQuil Intense Flu which you should only take every 6 hours, up to 3 times a day. Remember to carefully check the medication’s label, especially if you’re giving DayQuil to a child. And don’t give any DayQuil product to children under age 6 without a pediatrician’s OK.
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References
DailyMed. (n.d.). Search results for: DayQuil.
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