Does Nyquil Have Alcohol Content?
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It’s that time of year: everyone seems to be sick with something! We all know and dread the coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fevers, aches, and pains that come with cold and flu. When we’re not feeling well, we know medication can help us feel better, but we might also be craving a little drink because we believe it will boost our mood or help us sleep (more on this later!). But is it safe to drink alcohol while sick and then take a cold medication such as NyQuil?
This blog will explore why drinking alcohol and taking NyQuil can be quite dangerous. Keep reading, and we will cover the basics on NyQuil and alcohol interactions — and why drinking when we’re sick can make us feel worse. Then we’ll learn some alternatives for fighting off cold and flu viruses.
NyQuil is an over-the-counter medication marketed to treat cold and flu symptoms. NyQuil has three main active ingredients – acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and doxylamine. These active ingredients work to treat common cold or flu symptoms such as headache, body aches, fever, cough, and congestion.
Although it’s not a necessary ingredient, some forms of NyQuil have alcohol — but why is this? Alcohol is added to liquid NyQuil to help the active ingredients dissolve, but it serves no therapeutic purpose.
The active ingredients of NyQuil provide temporary relief of cold or flu symptoms. NyQuil begins to work within 30 minutes of taking it and lasts for about four to six hours. Ingredients in NyQuil can take up to two days to fully leave your system. NyQuil should only be used as advised on the bottle’s label or as advised by a medical professional — it is not recommended to use nightly as a sleep aid for many reasons. Plus, the body rapidly develops tolerance to the sedative effects of antihistamines when used regularly.
Not all NyQuil products contain alcohol. If we’re trying to avoid alcohol, it’s important to check the label of our product to confirm if alcohol is present (that includes generic forms of NyQuil).
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some popular NyQuil products that contain alcohol:
Now let’s look at some popular alcohol-free options:
While reaching for alcohol may seem like a good way to relax, drinking actually does more harm than good. Some people swear by a hot toddy or a white whiskey & orange juice, however, drinking alcohol while sick will only make us feel worse! Here’s what alcohol actually does when we’re fighting off a cold:
We should not reach for alcohol when we’re feeling under the weather. The good news is that there are plenty of over-the-counter medications that can help us feel better when we are sick. However, we must consider that drinking alcohol while taking these medications may not be safe.
NyQuil has multiple active ingredients, so it’s important to understand how each of these interacts with alcohol. Let’s breakdown those three main components of NyQuil to see how alcohol interacts with each.
Alcohol interacts with the active ingredients in NyQuil by enhancing the associated side-effects, such as the following:
NyQuil’s label states that consuming three or more drinks while taking NyQuil can lead to severe liver damage — but that’s not an invitation to pour two drinks. The risk for developing severe liver damage or intense side effects is lower with fewer drinks, but it’s still risky.
If we regularly combine alcohol and NyQuil, there can be severe consequences to our bodies.
For these reasons, it’s not a great idea to mix alcohol and NyQuil. But what if it’s too late and we’ve already mixed the two? Are we in danger? What should we do?
While one or two drinks and a standard dose of NyQuil isn’t necessarily a medical emergency, the risks go up exponentially when the amounts increase. If you already have a liver condition, even small amounts of these substances can be harmful.
If you’ve had fewer than two drinks, you are probably okay. But, it’s best to take some precautionary measures.
If you’ve combined small amounts of NyQuil and alcohol, don’t panic. Just stay in tune with your body and look out for signs you may need medical attention.
Everyone’s body reacts differently to both alcohol and NyQuil, and individual factors like age and overall health play a big part in how we might react to the combination. The most important thing to do is listen to your body. If something feels wrong, get help, and don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if any of your symptoms become severe!
Here are a few danger signs that require immediate attention:
Avoiding alcohol while sick is essential if we want to get back to good health quickly. Medications like NyQuil are helpful in reducing the uncomfortable symptoms of cold and flu. However, for those of us making a firm effort to steer clear of alcohol, there are plenty of options that don’t involve drinking or using alcohol-containing cold and flu medicines.
There are a host of over-the-counter cold and flu medications that don’t contain alcohol, including a variety of NyQuil products. Let’s review some alcohol-free ways to treat cold and flu.
Just because a product doesn’t contain alcohol does not mean it is safe to take with alcohol! Read labels and consult a doctor before taking any of these over-the-counter medications. Ultimately, recovering from a cold or flu takes time and rest! Medications or natural remedies can help us tolerate symptoms, but they will not cure them.
Colds and flus are quite unpleasant to deal with. We might think it’s a good idea to have a drink to take the edge off, but as we’ve learned throughout this blog, drinking may actually make our symptoms worse and extend our illness. Most cold and flu medications should not be mixed with alcohol, and it’s an especially bad idea to take NyQuil with alcohol!
Liquid NyQuil contains 10% alcohol, so if we are trying to avoid alcohol, we can try one of the many alcohol-free cold and flu remedies out there. We can also help prevent the next illness by exercising, eating healthy, and quitting or cutting back on alcohol — all of which will boost our immune system and overall health!
1. Does NyQuil have alcohol?
Liquid NyQuil typically contains 10% alcohol to help the active ingredients dissolve. Not all NyQuil products contain alcohol.
2. Can I take NyQuil after drinking alcohol?
No, you should not mix alcohol and NyQuil at all, whether you’re taking them together or at different times. Mixing the two substances can cause severe liver damage or lead to extreme sleepiness.
3. Is it bad to drink alcohol when you have a cold?
Yes, drinking alcohol while you’re sick can worsen your symptoms or lengthen your recovery time.
4. What do I do if I already took NyQuil and drank alcohol? Will I die if I take NyQuil after drinking?
First of all: don’t panic! A standard dose and one or two drinks isn’t dangerous, but everyone is different. Understand your own health status and what risk factors you have for a severe reaction. Monitor your symptoms and make sure to seek emergency help for severe reactions such as hallucinations, severe drowsiness, uncontrollable vomiting, intense stomach pain, or seizures.
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