Dayquil vs Nyquil – detailed comparison:
Dayquil Cold And Flu
It is a combination of phenylephrine, acetaminophen, and dextromethorphan.
Phenylephrine (a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist of the phenethylamine class) is a nasal decongestant that reduces the swelling of the blood vessels in your nasal passages.
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer that works by changing the way the body senses pain. In addition, acetaminophen changes how the body regulates its temperature. Dextromethorphan suppresses the urge to cough.
Uses
This product is commonly used to temporarily relieve symptoms caused by sinusitis, allergies, the common cold, flu, and bronchitis.
Dosage
The usual recommended dosage is 2 tbs (30 ml) every 4 hours. The maximum recommended dose is 6 tbs per 24 hours.
Side Effects and Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- nausea;
- stomach pain;
- vomiting;
- lightheadedness;
- nervousness;
- dizziness;
- trouble sleeping;
- drowsiness.
Rare side effects may include:
- red blistering skin;
- itchiness;
- difficulty breathing;
- rash;
- swelling of your tongue, hands, ankles, legs, feet, face, throat, or lips;
- hives;
- trouble swallowing.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known precisely whether this drug will negatively affect an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to fall pregnant before taking this medication.
This medication passes into breast milk and may negatively affect the infant. Tell your doctor that you are breastfeeding a baby before taking this medication.
Drug Interactions
It may negatively interact with other drugs, especially:
- ibuprofen;
- magnesium oxide;
- Zyrtec (cetirizine);
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine);
- tramadol;
- Tylenol (acetaminophen);
- prednisone;
- trazodone;
- theraflu;
- gabapentin.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this product since alcohol can considerably increase the risk of side effects.
Nyquil Cold & Flu
It is a combination of dextromethorphan, doxylamine, and acetaminophen, which are used to treat a sore throat, fever, headaches, sneezing, cough, and runny nose in adults and children 12 years and older.
Dextromethorphan (a drug of the morphinan class with dissociative, sedative, and stimulant properties) is a cough suppressant that affects the cough reflex in the brain, which triggers coughing. Acetaminophen is a fever reducer and pain reliever.
Doxylamine, a first-generation antihistamine, reduces the effects of the natural chemical histamine in the human body. This neurotransmitter can produce symptoms of sneezing, watery eyes, itching, and a runny nose.
Uses
This product is used to treat sneezing, headaches, body aches, fever, cough, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
Dosage
The usual recommended dosage is 30 mL every 6 hours.
Side Effects And Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- constipation;
- dry mouth or nose;
- trouble concentrating;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- mild dizziness;
- blurred vision;
- drowsiness;
- headaches;
- mild skin rash;
- dry eyes;
- upset stomach;
- feeling excited or restless (particularly in children).
Less common side effects may include:
- pounding heartbeat;
- little or no urinating;
- slow or shallow breathing;
- seizure (convulsions);
- unusual bleeding;
- uneven heartbeats;
- feeling light-headed;
- severe headaches;
- confusion;
- restless muscle movements;
- pale skin;
- tremor;
- dark urine;
- severe drowsiness;
- pain in the upper stomach;
- easy bruising;
- loss of appetite;
- hallucinations;
- clay-colored stools;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Ask your healthcare professional if it’s safe for you to take this product if you have other medical conditions, particularly:
- if you take potassium supplements;
- glaucoma;
- blockage in your digestive tract;
- a history of alcoholism;
- coronary artery disease;
- overactive thyroid;
- heart disease;
- liver disease;
- bladder obstruction;
- if you use monoamine oxidase inhibitors, because these medications can cause serious complications;
- pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).
Drug Interactions
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medications you use, and those you started or stopped using during this treatment, especially:
- blood thinners, such as – warfarin;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as – celecoxib, ketorolac (an NSAID in the family of heterocyclic acetic acid derivatives), naproxen (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or diclofenac;
- diuretics or “water pills”;
- tums;
- medicines used to prevent blood clots, such as – desirudin, dalteparin, tinzaparin, enoxaparin, or fondaparinux.
Alcohol
Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this product since alcohol may increase the risk of liver damage and can increase the risk of other side effects.
Bottom Line – Dayquil vs Nyquil
DayQuil Cold & Flu (active ingredients – phenylephrine, acetaminophen, and dextromethorphan) is a combination medication which treats symptoms of the common cold and flu. These symptoms include:
- headaches;
- a sore throat;
- nasal congestion;
- fever;
- minor aches and pains;
- a cough.
Nyquil Cold & Flu is a combination medicine that is typically used to treat body aches, a headache, fever, cough, runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.
The main difference between these two products is that Nyquil Cold & Flu contains a first-generation antihistamine, and this is added to give a mild sedative effect. However, both products have plenty of side effects.
READ MORE: Theraflu vs Alka Seltzer
7 Cold and Flu Home Remedies
#1 Getting Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is vital to preventing and a faster healing of the illness.
According to studies, even a couple of nights of interrupted sleep can leave the body worn down and unable to resist illness.
#2 Cayenne Pepper
It is known to open nasal passageways for congestion, boost metabolism, soothe psoriasis symptoms, maintain blood sugars, lower blood pressure, increase blood circulation, decrease the effects of heart disease, and quicken blood clotting.
READ MORE: Fiorinal vs Fioricet
#3 Echinacea
This medicinal plant is known to have antibacterial, antiviral, and blood-cleansing attributes.
According to research, it can reduce your chances of catching a cold by 60 percent as well as it shortens the length of a cold by 1 to 4 days.
#4 Water
In order to keep mucous membranes moist and to help relieve dry eyes and other common flu symptoms, drink as much water as you can. In addition, water helps thin mucus so that it is easier to expel.
#5 Ginger
It naturally combats vomiting and nausea, making it an excellent flu treatment.
#6 Lemons
These fruits contain a lot of vitamin C that strengthens the body’s immune system, and may help to fight the flu or cold virus in the body.
#7 Stress Reduction
Mindfulness meditation, yoga, or Tai Chi are simple and effective practices to prevent damage caused by stress and to boost your immune system.
Diseases strongly associated with stress include Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, depression, gastrointestinal problems, as well as the common cold and flu.
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References http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp0707400 https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/ https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2015/july/self-medication-for-co