Drowsiness, Dizziness, and More: 8 NyQuil Side Effects You Should Know About
People often report side effects while taking NyQuil. Here are eight NyQuil side effects to keep in mind and how to manage them.
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
Used for Cold Symptoms, Cough, Nasal Congestion
Used for Cold Symptoms, Cough, Nasal Congestion
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is a combination of three medications: dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), doxylamine (an antihistamine), and phenylephrine (a decongestant). It's used to treat symptoms from the common cold. This medication is available over the counter as a liquid for both adults and children.
What is Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion?
What is Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion used for?
Short-term relief of common cold symptoms:
- Stuffy nose
- Sinus congestion and pressure
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Swelling in nasal passages
How Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion works
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is a combination of three medications:
- Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works in the brain to lower your urge to cough.
- Doxylamine is an antihistamine. It blocks histamine, a natural chemical in your body that causes congestion, sneezing, and promotes coughing.
- Phenylephrine is a decongestant that clears your sinuses to relieve sinus pressure.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | NyQuil Cough DM Plus Congestion, NyQuil Kids Cold and Cough Plus Congestion |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Cough suppressant / Antihistamine / Decongestant |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Over-the-counter |
Side effects of Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
Less Common Side Effects
- Restlessness
- Headache
- Trouble urinating
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Excessive sleepiness or dizziness
- Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, confusion
- Signs of an overdose: seizures, heart rhythm problems, hallucinations, confusion, flushed skin, skin that's warm to the touch, vision changes
Pros and cons of Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
Pros
- Can treat a wide variety of common cold symptoms
- More convenient to take three medications in a single dose
- Available over the counter
- Can be used in children as young as 6 years old
Cons
- Might need to take as often as every 4 hours to relieve symptoms
- More difficult to customize the dose since Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is a fixed combination of three medications
- Only available as a liquid
- Can worsen certain medical conditions
Pharmacist tips for Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
- Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure your dose of Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion. Don't use household spoons because they aren't accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.
- You can take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking the medication with food.
- Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion can make you sleepy or dizzy during the day, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. Don't drive until you know how the medication affects you. To prevent daytime sleepiness, taking the least amount of medication possible close to bedtime can help.
- While Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion usually makes adults sleepy, it's possible for children who use this medication to become overly excited or energetic. If this happens to your child, speak to your child's provider.
- Stop using Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion and contact your provider if you experience any of the following: (1) you feel nervous or dizzy or you have trouble sleeping; (2) your cough or congestion lasts longer than a week or keeps coming back; (3) you have cough or congestion with a fever, rash, or headache; or (4) you have any other new symptoms. These might be signs of a more serious medical condition that your provider needs to check out.
- Tell your provider or pharmacist about all the medications you're taking, especially if you're taking other cough suppressants, antihistamines, or decongestants. They can make sure Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is safe for you to take.
- Don't take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline or phenelzine (Nardil). This combination can raise your risk for severe side effects (e.g., serotonin syndrome, high blood pressure, dizziness). If you're currently taking or have taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks, don't use Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion. Contact your provider for other options to treat your cold symptoms.
- Ask your provider before using Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion if you're on a low-salt diet. It contains some sodium (salt).
Risks and warnings for Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serotonin syndrome
- Risk factors: Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) 14 days before starting Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in your brain
Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition where there's too much serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemicals in your brain responsible for your mood. Your risk for this condition goes up if you use Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion with other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as certain antidepressants, MAOIs, lithium, and certain migraine medications (e.g., sumatriptan (Imitrex)). Make sure your provider knows about all the medications you take (including over-the-counter medications and supplements) before starting Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion so they can check that this medication is safe for you to take. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, and confusion. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Accidental overdose
- Risk factors: Using other medications with similar ingredients
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion contains a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), an antihistamine (doxylamine), and a decongestant (phenylephrine), which can be found in many other over-the-counter products. Using more than one medication containing these ingredients can lead to an accidental overdose and cause serious side effects. These serious side effects include seizures, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), or even death.
To prevent an accidental overdose, read package labels carefully. If you're not sure if a product has any similar ingredients, ask your pharmacist. Keep this medication up and away from children. If you or your loved one experiences an accidental overdose, get medical help as soon as possible or contact a poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Worsening of medical conditions
- Risk factors: Heart disease or high blood pressure | Thyroid problems | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Glaucoma | Cough from smoking, asthma, or emphysema | Mucus-producing cough | Breathing problems (e.g., emphysema, long-term bronchitis) | Urinary conditions
Don't take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion if you have any of the risk factors listed above unless your provider said it's safe to do so. Taking Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion can worsen your condition(s) and cause serious side effects. Make sure your provider knows about all medical conditions you have or have had in the past before starting Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion.
Driving impairment
- Risk factors: Taking with alcohol | Taking other medications that make you less alert
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion can lower your ability to focus, think, and react. Your risk is higher when drinking alcohol or taking other medications that make you drowsy or less alert (e.g., benzodiazepines, opioids). Be careful and avoid activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car or operating machinery, until you know how this medication affects you.
Dangerous for children under 4 years old
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion isn't safe and shouldn't be used in children under 4 years old. Using this medication for children that young can cause serious and possibly fatal problems like fast heart rate and seizures. Speak to your child's provider or your pharmacist to discuss safer alternatives.
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion dosage
Typical dosage for Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
Each 15 mL contains 10 mg of dextromethorphan, 6.25 mg of doxylamine, and 5 mg of phenylephrine.
- Adults and children 12 years and older: The typical dose is 30 mL (2 tablespoons) by mouth every 4 hours. Don't take more than 120 mL (8 tablespoons) in a 24-hour period.
- Children ages 6 to 11 years old: The typical dose is 15 mL (1 tablespoon) by mouth every 4 hours. Don't give more than 60 mL (4 tablespoons) in a 24-hour period.
- Children ages 4 to 5 years old: Ask your child's provider.
- Children ages 3 years and younger: Don't use.
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently take or have taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks
What are alternatives to Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
