The Dangers of Mixing Dayquil with Alcohol
Dayquil is an OTC drug used to treat symptoms of a cold and flu, including a runny nose and sore throat. This medication relieves the symptoms of a cold without causing drowsiness and dizziness, unlike Nyquil. Dayquil is suitable for daytime consumption, whereas Nyquil is for nighttime use.
Dayquil is a nasal decongestant because it contains Phenylephrine. In contrast, Nyquil is a sedative because of Doxylamine succinate. Dayquil has three active ingredients called acetaminophen (counter medication to relieve pain and fever symptoms), dextromethorphan (to ease flu symptoms), and phenylephrine (a decongestant to clear nasal congestion).
People misuse counter medications and do not consider their dangerous interaction with other drugs.
It is advised to only drink water while consuming Vicks Dayquil to help relieve the pain and restlessness from flu and cold. Dayquil contains active ingredients that can have adverse effects when mixed with alcohol. Vicks Dayquil has warned consumers about the severe liver damage that can occur if more than the prescribed doses alongside alcohol is taken. Taking alcoholic beverages with Dayquil can result in liver and other organ damage, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, and hallucinations.
A person who suffers from alcohol addiction, drug abuse, and alcohol use disorder must avoid Dayquil. Combining alcohol with cough syrups or other medication is dangerous for your health. Contact The Recovery Team today if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol and want to recover in a safe environment.
Side Effects of Combining Dayquil and Alcohol
If people consume the prescribed dose of Dayquil combined with alcohol, they may feel dizziness, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Excessive drinking with Dayquil can also result in withdrawal symptoms when a person reduces or stops taking the medication. Cold medicine can also result in liver damage if it contains acetaminophen. Too much alcohol consumption with Dayquil can result in severe symptoms, including overdose.
- Fever
- Liver damage
- Lack of concentration
- Unusual bleeding
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Risks of Combining Dayquil with Alcohol
Since Dayquil consists of ingredients that interact with alcohol and increases the dangers of convulsions, liver damage, irregular sleeping cycle, overdose, and dizziness. A single drink of alcohol stays in our system for about 2-3 hours, and Dayquil is active in our body for 4-6 hours. According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration, OTC cough and cold medications can result in overdosing. They have warned parents to be careful when they treat their children’s fever and cough by using these medications. If someone consumes alcoholic drinks, they should ensure that Dayquil is not active in their system.
Acetaminophen with Alcohol
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and is effective in treating cold symptoms. Acetaminophen other than Dayquil is used in 600 medications in the USA. Although doctors prescribe it as an effective pain reliever, it can cause severe liver damage. Dayquil manufacturer Procter and Gamble warns that acetaminophen should not be consumed with alcohol.
Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Its overdose is the second leading cause of liver failure. Mixing alcohol with acetaminophen can lead to adverse side effects such as joint swelling, bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, tiredness, and loss of appetite.
Risk of Liver Damage
When you consume too much acetaminophen or take it with alcohol, it can negatively impact your liver. When the liver processes acetaminophen, it breaks down the substances in the drug. Those substances are then excreted in our urine.
However, the liver cannot efficiently process one substance called NAPQI. The liver produces glutathione to break down NAPQI, which prevents liver damage. However, alcohol reduces the production of glutathione which increases NAPQI. Harmful effects of NAPQI include acetaminophen overdose. Symptoms of liver damage include abdominal pain, vomiting, and jaundice.
Dextromethorphan with Alcohol
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant used in Dayquil known as DXM. It works by numbing the sore throat and relieves pain. It is not safe when mixed with alcohol. Side effects of dextromethorphan such as lightheadedness, headache, and nausea. Some people experience difficulty in understanding and judgment. Substance abuse is common among teenagers who use excessive drugs, resulting in substance use disorder.
Consuming more than the prescribed dose of DXM can result in lethargy, loss of concentration, high blood pressure, and hallucination. Flu medications consist of DXM, and combining it with alcohol can cause respiratory problems and sedation.
Dextromethorphan Overdose
Teenagers sometimes experiment with flu medications that contain Dayquil and combine it with large quantities of drugs to enhance its effect. When alcohol is mixed with dextromethorphan, it can result in liver damage. Such people risk overdose and experience dangerous side effects like increased heart rate and uncoordinated muscle movement.
Prescription medications should not be misused, and people should be aware of their interaction with other drugs. Ask your healthcare provider to learn more about a medication if you are unsure. If you experience severe symptoms, seek medical attention for proper treatment. Our facility provides quality treatment programs for drug addiction and substance abuse.
Interaction with other Drugs
Be cautious about the medicines you are taking, whether they are OTC or prescribed ones. Interactions can occur between cold medications and drugs that you consume. Dayquil can interact with antidepressants because it contains dextromethorphan, resulting in serotonin syndrome.
Dayquil with Doxylamine
Doxylamine interacts with dextromethorphan and increases its side effects. A person may feel difficulty focusing on a particular task. They will experience confusion, headache, nausea, and difficulty in motor coordination. You should avoid activities that require concentration and alertness, such as driving a vehicle. That is why it is best to inform your doctor about the medications that you are consuming before taking other medications.
Dayquil with Albuterol
High doses of Dayquil, when taken with Albuterol, may increase the risk of heart diseases such as an increase in heart rate and high blood pressure. Dayquil has Phenylephrine and has adverse effects when mixed with Albuterol. You can seek help from our treatment facility, which provides Dialectical Behavioral therapy, a quality addiction treatment. This allows patients to heal from traumas and alcohol abuse.
Dayquil with Nyquil
Dayquil and Nyquil are used for cold and flu relief and contain Acetaminophen and Dextromethorphan. Dayquil does not have sedative effects, but Nyquil is a sedative antihistamine that helps patients to sleep. Although they both are cold relievers, it is not safe to consume them together. Taking both substances together can result in liver damage due to increased acetaminophen in the liver. If you have liver disease, ask a doctor before taking Dayquil or Nyquil.
Dayquil with Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and many more. Combining nutritional supplements with cold medications can have life-threatening effects. Vitamin C can interact with acetaminophen and other cold medications. The doctor recommends avoiding them. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, millions of American misuse prescribed medication.
Dayquil with Prozac
Prozac increases the effects of dextromethorphan on your body. You may experience shortness of breath, drowsiness, anxiety, increased heart rate, diarrhea, and confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, then immediately contact a doctor. You should inform your doctor about any medications, including dietary supplements.