DayQuil® FAQs: Pharmacist Answers

DayQuil® is a common daytime cold and flu medicine, but many people have practical questions about when to use it and what it can be combined with. I have collected some of the questions and provided pharmacist answers to them to help you make the right decision.

What Is DayQuil® Used For?

DayQuil® is a multi-symptom cold and flu medicine for daytime use.

Regular DayQuil® typically contains acetaminophen for fever and body aches, dextromethorphan for cough, and phenylephrine in the current U.S. formulation. It makes the most sense when you have several symptoms at once and still need to stay awake and functional.

Are DayQuil® capsules Different From DayQuil® Liquid?

No!

Both liquid and capsules contain the same ingredients, one gel capsule of DayQuil contains the same amount of ingredients in 15ml of the liquid.

Does DayQuil® Make You Sleepy?

Not usually!

DayQuil® does not contain the sedating antihistamine found in NyQuil®, which is why it is designed for daytime use, but dextromethorphan can cause some drowsiness in some people, specially in eldely and in combination with other sedating medications.

Does DayQuil® Contain Caffeine?

No!

DayQuil® is non-drowsy because it does not contain a sedating antihistamine, not because it contains caffeine.

Can I Take DayQuil® at Night?

Yes!

DayQuil® can still treat cold and flu symptoms at night, but it does not have the sedating antihistamine found in NyQuil®, and it does not keep you awake.

Can I Take DayQuil® and NyQuil® on the Same Day?

Yes!

A common approach is DayQuil® during the day and NyQuil® at night, just make sure that you space the transition around 4-6 hours as both may contain acetaminophen and dextromethorphan, and mixing them at the sametime can result in overdose.

Can I Take Tylenol® With DayQuil®?

Yes, but with cautions!

DayQuil® already contains acetaminophen, which is the same active ingredient in Tylenol®, and the max dose of acetaminophen is 4000mg in healthy, non-alcoholic adults.

Does DayQuil® Help With Mucus?

No!

DayQuil® contains a cough suppressant that is intended for dry cough, if you have a heavy mucous in your chest, I would find an alternative.

Can I Take DayQuil® With Mucinex®?

Only in a specific situation!

Plain Mucinex® contains guaifenesin, which is intended to dissolve the mucous and help you cough it out. If the mucous is heavy, avoid taking DayQuil® is it will suppress the cough reflex and could dry the secretions. The only exception is if you have cleared out most of the mucous, and ready to suppress the cough.

Can I Take DayQuil® With Delsym®?

No!

both Delsym® and DayQuil® contain dextromethorphan, and although they are in different forms, using them together could result in detromethophan overdose.

Is DayQuil® the Same as Delsym®?

No!

Delsym® contains a long-acting form of dextropmethorphan, and it is intended for dry cough only. DayQuil® contains other ingredients in addition to dextromethorphan and can be used to manage dry cough with cold symptoms.

Can I Take DayQuil® With Ibuprofen?

Yes, with caution!

DayQuil® contains acetaminophen, which is a pain and fever reducer. Ibuprofen can be used alongside to support acetaminphen if you do not have ulcers or cardiovascular health concerns.

Can DayQuil® Raise Blood Pressure?

Yes!

DayQuil® formulations contain phenylephrine, a decongestant that could cause your blood vessels to constrict raising your blood pressure, but it is more concerning if you already hypertensive or having other cardiovascular concerns.

Can I Take Dayquil® With Zyrtec® or Zyrtec®-D?

Yes!

Zyrtec® contains Ceterizine, an antihistamine that could potentiate the effects of DayQuil® in symptoms suppression; however, the combination could make you more drowsy, and caution must be excersized.

With Zyrtec®-D

Not recommended

Both DayQuil® and Zyrtec®-D contain decongestants and this could significantly increase blood pressure.

Is DayQuil® Good For Sore Throat?

Not the first choice

DayQuil® contains acetaminophen that can help with sore throat pain, but it is not indicated for this purpose. Cough drops are typically the first choice.

Is DayQuil® Good For Runny Nose?

Not the first choice

DayQuil® contains phenyephrine, a decongestant that can help with runny nose, but it is not very effective. Nasal sprays or antihistamines with Pseuoehedrine are considered more effective.

Pharmacist Tips

• DayQuil® contains three active ingredients, Acetaminophen for pain, Phenylephrine, a nasal decongestant, and Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant. That is why it is indicated to manage multisymptoms of cough and cold.

• Before combining DayQuil® with another medicine, check the Active Ingredients.If the same ingredient appears in both products, make sure you are not doubling up unnecessarily.

• If you have any additional question that you want to include in this FAQ, please contact us.

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Pharmacist Reviewed: the information in this article was clinically reviewed by Samer Altameemi, a licensed pharmacist. It is intended for educational purposes, not to substitute for a doctor's professional medical advice.