Does nyquil have alcohol in it?

Nyquil, the go-to sleep aid for people who need to wake up early but can’t seem to turn off their brains at night. Whether you have a cold, allergies or just can’t fall asleep, Nyquil promises relief. But before taking any medication it’s important to know what’s inside of it – and that includes alcohol.

Introduction

As someone who has taken Nyquil on multiple occasions without ever questioning its contents, I too was surprised when a friend asked me if it contains alcohol. My immediate response was “No way, it’s medicine!” Turns out that may not be entirely true.

What is Nyquil?

There are many different types of Nyquil which come in various forms such as liquid capsules and syrups – but they all contain ingredients designed to provide relief from colds and flu symptoms. Some key active ingredients include:

  • Acetaminophen: A pain reliever / fever reducer
  • Dextromethorphan HBr: Cough suppressant
  • Doxylamine succinate: Antihistamine / Sleep aid

Most varieties also contain other inactive ingredients like sodium benzoate and citric acid used for flavoring purposes.

Breaking Down the Ingredients

Let’s dive deeper into these prominent components of this ‘magic’ potion:

Acetaminophen

The recommended adult dosage for acetaminophen is 325-650mg every four hours/twice daily (maximum 3000mg/day). This commonly used pain reliever works by blocking certain chemicals called prostaglandins produced in your brain that cause pain/fever/swelling/inflammation^1^. Higher doses can lead to serious liver damage/failure especially when combined with long-term excessive use^2^. Ouch!

Dextromethorphan HBr

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works in the brain to suppress coughs. It’s recommended that adults take between 10 – 20 mg every four hours as needed for cough suppression, not exceeding more than 120mg within a day^3^. When taken in excess it has the potential to cause abnormal heart rhythms and serotonin syndrome which can lead to death if untreated.

Doxylamine succinate

Doxylamine succinate is an antihistamine/ sleep-aid used to treat allergies/hives/motion sickness/sleep disorders. The optimal adult dose is usually twenty-five milligrams (or half of one tablet) for nighttime use only^4^. Daily intake should be in ranges of sixty-five milligrams; doses higher than this are usually ineffective and may result in daytime sedation or nausea/vomiting.

Inactive Ingredients

Sodium Benzoate serves as a preservative with anti-fungal/bacterial properties while Citric acid gives Nyquil its characteristic tart taste /odor-enhancing flavors^5^. Besides these mentioned ingredients, there’s still more question left unanswered – what about alcohol?

The Truth Behind Alcohol Content In Nyquil

Nyquil formula underwent various modifications through the years due to drug abuse cases among youth where they got high from consuming excessive amounts beyond prescribed doses. This led manufacturers towards creating non-alcoholic products; however, most kinds still contain some amount of alcohol (~10%) sufficient enough for severe reactions with certain medications like MAO inhibitors when consumed together or devices operated by motor skills such as driving cars ^6. So yes, there is certainly some truth behind this rumor!

Is That Small Amount Considered Safe?

While certain parties might argue that ten percent isn’t much, it should be acknowledged by consumers that all types of NYQUIL have different compositions/amounts according to their respective effects on treatment of symptoms/Nyquil dosage. Discuss with your doctor if consuming Nyquil is safe concerning any underlying conditions like history of liver disease, alcoholism, or personal prescription medication intake.

What Happens If You Mix Nyquil And Alcohol?

It’s a generally-known fact that mixing medications and alcohol are never recommended. Combining the two can amplify the effects of each substance causing dizziness/sleepiness/vertigo/confusion/disorientation/impaired judgment^7^. Even though experts point out excessive amounts may cause “Nyquil high”, such practice remains frowned upon due to these possible side-effects.

Conclusion

So, it turns out that yes, most kinds do contain some amount of alcohol in varying percentages. Alcoholic/NASAA (Non-alcohol containing) varieties should be selected according to individual needs/prescription instructions for fruitful health benefits. Therefore it’s certainly not advisable to mix up your quils with tequila late-night partying under all circumstances! Remember: staying healthy isn’t just about reducing symptoms but also pondering carefully over medication choices beforehand; Because they’re not always effortless solutions – especially without professional advice!

Sources:

1. Acetaminophen- https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681004.html

2. Long-term acetaminophen use/harmful effects- http://safety.med.miami.edu/news/the-danger-of-long-term-acetaminophen-use/

3. Dextromethorphan – https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3448/dextromethorphan-hbr-oral/details

4. Doxylamine succinate – https://www.drugs.com/cdi/doxylamine-tablets.html

5. Inactive Ingredients – https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/iig/index.cfm?fuseaction=Label_Information&labeltype=ndc&labelid=0062-0921

6. Consumers reports on alcohol content in Nyquil – https://www.consumerreports.org/health/diet-nutrition/vitamins-supplements/natural-medicines/cold-and-flu-cures/nyquil-alcohol/

7. Mixing Nyquil And Alcohol –https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/mixing-nyquil

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