Precautions To Take While Administering Nyquil For Kids
- Never give your child more than the recommended dosage at a time. Even if you miss a dose, give them the prescribed dose, but not more, the next time. Never administer two doses at once or give more than the recommended dosage.
- Always measure the medicine with the measuring cup or dispenser you get with it.
- Nyquil can only relieve the symptoms of cold and flu and does not cure them. This fact should be kept in perspective. So, it can take about five to seven days for the cold to subside. However, in this course of time, if the symptoms worsen or new symptoms occur, then take your child to the doctor.
- Your child must get enough rest and fluids when they have a cold.
Before going for Nyquil, try out the alternative measures, such as using a bulb syringe to suck out the mucus, or encourage your child to blow their nose. Running a warm shower in your childs room may help in easing the symptoms .
Children can easily catch a cold or flu. So, make it a habit for them to wash their hands whenever needed, as a precaution. Also, ensure that your child is vaccinated against infections. Cold and flu spread by droplet infection. So in schooland day care centers, make sure the children cover their nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing. This is specially true in cold weather.
Have you been using Childrens Nyquil? Tell us about it in the section below.
References:
Drugs That Interact With Dayquil
The active ingredients in DayQuil can interact with other drugs. These interactions may affect the way the drugs work or increase your risk of harmful side effects. If you use the drugs listed below or any other drugs, supplements, or herbs, check with your doctor before using DayQuil.
The acetaminophen in DayQuil can interact with the following drugs:
- carbamazepine
- phenothiazines
- warfarin
The phenylephrine and dextromethorphan in DayQuil can interact with drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors . Even if youve stopped taking MAOIs, interactions can still occur if youve used them within the past two weeks. Examples of these drugs include:
- isocarboxazid
- selegiline
- tranylcypromine
Also, dont use DayQuil if you drink more than three alcoholic drinks per day. This combination can cause serious liver damage.
Generally, DayQuil is a safe drug to use. However, it can cause harmful effects if you have certain medical conditions, use too much of it, or misuse it.
Vicks Nyquil Cold And Flu Nighttime Relief
RxCUI | |
---|---|
acetaminophen 325 MG / dextromethorphan HBr 15 MG / doxylamine succinate 6.25 MG Oral Capsule | PSN |
acetaminophen 325 MG / dextromethorphan hydrobromide 15 MG / doxylamine succinate 6.25 MG Oral Capsule | SCD |
APAP 325 MG / dextromethorphan hydrobromide 15 MG / doxylamine succinate 6.25 MG Oral Capsule | SY |
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What Is Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the cough reflex in the brain that triggers coughing.
Doxylamine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion .
NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, cough, runny nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Nyquil Cold & Flu Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen in the past and had no reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. If you have this type of reaction, you should never again take any medicine that contains acetaminophen.
Stop using the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:
-
severe headache, seizure
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Does Nyquil Make The Child Sleepy
Nyquil might cause drowsiness in children. The child may feel sleepy. It should always be given under supervision.
However, this medication should never be given to help a healthy child sleep. If children are given Nyquil when they are not sick, it could lead to Nyquil dependency and can cause withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking Nyquil .
What This Means For Your Cold And Flu Season
Acetaminophen is a safe and very effective drug. The vast majority of all patients who take this medication to treat common symptoms of pain and fever will find relief with appropriate use. However, even when in the fog of cold or flu symptoms, be careful to read the label of any cough, cold, or pain medication for the amount of acetaminophen in the drug so that you dont inadvertently take too much. If unsure, ask a pharmacist for assistance in how to safely use combination medications that include acetaminophen.
Finally, keep in mind that in most cases, viral illnesses such as the common cold and flu generally get better on their own with rest, fluids, and time.
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How Does It Work
Acetaminophen is a fever reducer and a pain reliever. It works by changing the way your body senses pain. It also changes how your body regulates its temperature. Dextromethorphan suppresses your urge to cough. The third ingredient, phenylephrine, is a nasal decongestant. It reduces the swelling of the blood vessels in your nasal passages.
How Should I Take Nyquil Cold & Flu
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use for longer than recommended. Cough and cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor if you still have a sore throat after 2 days, or if you have a fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken Nyquil Cold & Flu within the past few days.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.
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What Are The Forms And Dosages
DayQuil comes in liquid-filled capsules called LiquiCaps. It also comes as a liquid that you drink. The following table lists the recommended dosage for each form by age group. Ask your doctor for the correct dosage for children ages 4 to 5 years, and dont give DayQuil to children who are younger than 4 years.
Recommended dosage |
- swelling of your face, throat, tongue, or lips
- swelling of your hands, legs, ankles, or feet
Contact your doctor right away or get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms while taking DayQuil.
What Should I Avoid While Taking Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen, and can increase certain side effects of doxylamine.
This medicine may cause blurred vision or impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
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What Happens If You Take Nyquil Every Night
Someone who regularly takes too much NyQuil could lose consciousness or suffer liver damage from the acetaminophen. Additionally, people should abstain from drinking alcohol while taking NyQuil and they should also avoid taking it together with an anti-depressant or another medication which contains acetaminophen.
The Problem With Too Much Acetaminophen

Nevertheless, you may not realize that acetaminophen is an active ingredient in a combination medication unless you read the label carefully. For example, NyQuil, Theraflu, and Percocet all contain acetaminophen. Unfortunately, using multiple products that contain acetaminophen can result in accidental misuse and overuse, as well as potential liver damage.
Acetaminophen is primarily processed in the liver. The liver breaks down most of the acetaminophen in a normal dose and eliminates it in the urine. But a small portion of the drug is converted to a byproduct that is toxic to the liver cells. If you take too much acetaminophen all at once or over a period of several days this toxic breakdown product can build up and cause damage to the liver.
In addition, there is some evidence that people with dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea, persistent fevers, or underlying liver problems may be at slightly increased risk of liver damage when taking normally safe doses of acetaminophen. The resulting symptoms of right-sided abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and general malaise may be mistaken for a worsening flu-like illness instead of being recognized as warning signs of liver damage.
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Cold And Flu Warning: The Dangers Of Too Much Acetaminophen
- By Susan Farrell, MD, Contributing Editor
Cold and flu season is here.
Peruse the aisles of a local pharmacy or grocery store and you will find more than 30 over-the-counter medications available to treat the symptoms of fever, headache, sore throat, and achy muscles. Many of these multi-symptom products contain acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. This means cold and flu sufferers who are using multiple combination cough and cold remedies may inadvertently be taking more acetaminophen than they intend and putting themselves at risk for a serious complication: acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity.
Acetaminophen is the most commonly available pain-relieving and fever-reducing medication. It is an ingredient in more than 600 over-the-counter and prescription medications, and it has a remarkable safety profile: the dose at which potential toxicity occurs is dramatically higher than the amount that most adults need to effectively treat their symptoms . Moreover, acetaminophen does not cause the unwanted effects that are associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or prescription opioids. As a result, acetaminophen is known as a very safe and effective over-the-counter medication for the treatment of pain and fever, and is taken by millions of people.
Vicks Nyquil Cold And Flu Nighttime Relief And Vicks Childrens Nyquil Cold And Cough
Dosage form: kitIngredients: Acetaminophen 650mg in 30mL, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide 30mg in 30mL, Doxylamine succinate 12.5mg in 30mL Chlorpheniramine maleate 2mg in 15mL, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide 15mg in 15mLLabeler: The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing CompanyNDC Code: 37000-502
Vicks® NyQuil® Cold and Flu Nighttime Relief and Vicks® Children’s NyQuil® Cold and CoughVicks® NyQuil® Cold and FluNighttime Relief
Purpose |
---|
temporarily relieves common cold/flu symptoms:
- cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation
- sore throat
This product contains acetaminophen.
Severe liver damage may occur if you take
- more than 4 doses in 24 hours, which is the maximum daily amount for this product
- with other drugs containing acetaminophen
- 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product
Sore throat warning
If sore throat is severe, persists for more than 2 days, is accompanied or followed by fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting, consult a doctor promptly.
Do not use
- with any other drug containing acetaminophen . If you are not sure whether a drug contains acetaminophen, ask a doctor or pharmacist.
- if you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor , or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.
- to make a child sleep
Ask a doctor before use if you have
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are
When using this product
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Q: What Are The Different Types Of Nyquil
A: NyQuil comes as a liquid or gel caps. NyQuil relieves your sneezing, sore throat, headache, minor aches and pains, fever, runny nose, and cough, so you can get the rest you need. NyQuil COMPLETE delivers additional symptom-fighting ingredients to relieve your toughest cold symptoms at night. NyQuil Cough relieves your cough and runny nose so you can get the sleep you need.
Vicks Nyquil Severe Cold And Flu
RxCUI | |
---|---|
acetaminophen 650 MG / dextromethorphan HBr 20 MG / doxylamine succinate 12.5 MG / phenylephrine HCl 10 MG in 30 mL Oral Solution | PSN |
acetaminophen 21.7 MG/ML / dextromethorphan hydrobromide 0.667 MG/ML / doxylamine succinate 0.417 MG/ML / phenylephrine hydrochloride 0.333 MG/ML Oral Solution | SCD |
acetaminophen 325 MG / dextromethorphan HBr 10 MG / doxylamine succinate 6.25 MG / phenylephrine HCl 5 MG per 15 ML Oral Solution | SY |
acetaminophen 650 MG / dextromethorphan HBr 20 MG / doxylamine succinate 12.5 MG / phenylephrine HCl 10 MG per 30 ML Oral Solution | SY |
APAP 21.7 MG/ML / Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide 0.667 MG/ML / doxylamine succinate 0.417 MG/ML / Phenylephrine Hydrochloride 0.333 MG/ML Oral Solution | SY |
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Q: Are There Any Warnings I Should Be Aware Of When Taking Nyquil
A: NyQuil contains acetaminophen. Severe liver damage may occur if you: take more than the recommended dose of NyQuil within 24 hours, take NyQuil with other drugs containing acetaminophen, consume three or more alcoholic drinks every day while taking NyQuil. If you have a severe sore throat and it persists for more than two days and is accompanied or followed by fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting, consult a doctor promptly. Be sure to read the label carefully, and use NyQuil as directed. If symptoms last more than 5 days or are accompanied by high fever or fever lasts more than 3 days or are accompanied by the production of thick yellow/green phlegm or sore throat pain lasts more than 2 days, consult a doctor. Also if you develop allergic reactions such as wheezing, rash or itching, consult a doctor. Do not take for more than 5 days unless directed by a doctor. May cause marked drowsiness alcohol may increase this effect. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Do not drive a motor vehicle or engage in activities requiring alertness while taking this product. Taking more than the recommended dose can cause serious health problems. In the first 24 hours you may experience increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and loss of appetite. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Centre right away. Quick medical attention is critical for adults as well as children even if you do not notice any signs or symptoms.
What Other Drugs Will Affect Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
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While Using Nyquil As Directed Is Thought To Be Safe Taking It In Ways That Are Not Recommended Like As A Primary Sleep Aid Can Be Dangerous
As the content manager at Advanced Recovery Systems, Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing… read more
Benjamin Caleb Williams is a board-certified Emergency Nurse with several years of clinical experience, including supervisory roles… read more
NyQuil is a common cold and flu relief medication that is sold over-the-counter in either liquid or pill form. It is usually used to relieve coughing, but it also produces a feeling of relaxation and drowsiness. Additionally, some people who have conditions with associated pain use NyQuil to help maintain a pain-free state of sleep.
Because NyQuil is thought to produce a deep and enduring state of sleep, people often ask, Can you take NyQuil just to sleep? or, Can I use NyQuil as a sleep aid? A few aspects of NyQuil need to be considered to answer these questions.
Can You Mix Nyquil And Alcohol

NyQuil and alcohol should never be consumed together.
Procter & Gamble warns that severe liver damage can occur if NyQuil is taken with three or more drinks. This is a cause of the component acetaminophen, which can induce liver damage in toxic doses.
Due to the many short and long-term effects, consuming any amount of alcohol with NyQuil is not recommended.
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