DayQuil is a multi-symptom relief drug that helps with cold and flu symptoms. But, if you take DayQuil before going to bed, does it keep you awake or make you sleepy, and how long does DayQuil keep you awake?
DayQuil does not include any stimulants. Therefore it will not keep you awake. DayQuil does not make you sleepy because it does not include any drowsiness-inducing ingredients.
DayQuil is a non-drowsy variant of NyQuil that can be taken during the day or before going to bed without impacting your sleep.
We’ve answered this commonly asked question below, as well as provided you with all you need to know about this combo medication.
What Exactly is DayQuil?
DayQuil is a flu and cold medicine used to treat symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, fever, mild aches, and cough. It is sold without a doctor’s prescription and can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC).
Dextromethorphan HBr (cough suppressant), acetaminophen (pain reliever), and phenylephrine hydrochloride are the active components in DayQuil (nasal decongestant). These ingredients do not cause drowsiness.
DayQuil doesn’t ‘kill’ the virus that causes colds. But it can help with the symptoms. There is currently no known medication that can treat viral infections. The same is true when it comes to colds. Colds are self-limiting and will go without treatment. But, you do not have to suffer from the symptoms. It would be beneficial to take Dayquil/NyQuil.
What Are the Active Ingredients in DayQuil?
Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine are the active ingredients of DayQuil. These three medications each have a different purpose in improving DayQuil’s overall effectiveness.
Does DayQuil Keep You Awake? Best Sleeping Tips and It Works!
The straight, simple answer is no! DayQuil does not cause drowsiness. It does not usually include caffeine or any other stimulant.
Although it may have some sleepiness as a side effect, it does not include any active ingredients that would cause you to stay up all night.
DayQuil can be used in the same way as NyQuil is used to help people sleep at night. But does it actually work that way? First of all, putting any medicine into your body that you don’t truly need to stay awake is a bad idea.
Does DayQuil Make You Drowsy?
As previously stated, DayQuil has some side effects, including sleepiness and dizziness. These side effects, however, may not necessitate medical attention. Instead, when your body reacts to the medication, they fade away.
DayQuil, like most other over-the-counter medications for cold and flu symptoms, includes acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine. While some people may have adverse effects with dextromethorphan, others may not.
Dizziness and sleepiness are two of the nervous system side effects of dextromethorphan, which is a key ingredient in DayQuil.
Will DayQuil Wake You Up?
When most individuals want to take DayQuil, one of their main concerns is the possibility of DayQuil stimulants causing them to stay awake.
As a result, one of the most common questions people have before buying DayQuil is, “Does DayQuil Keep You Up?” The answer is straightforward. There are no stimulant ingredients in DayQuil. As a result, no ingredient in DayQuil can keep you awake unless you have a severe adverse reaction to dextromethorphan or acetaminophen.
Pseudoephedrine was present in its original formulation (a decongestant). However, it was gradually phased out due to the requirement that items containing it be kept behind the pharmacy or other staffed shop counters where their sale would be properly documented and reported.
The main difference between DayQuil and NyQuil is that the latter include antihistamine, which is known to cause sleepiness.
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Side Effects of DayQuil
DayQuil may have some negative side effects. Most of these adverse effects do not need any medical treatment. They may go away when your body gets used to the medication. You should consult your doctor if you have any mild symptoms that are bothersome or do not go away.
Common Side Effects
The following are some of the most common DayQuil side effects:
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
Also, avoid consuming grapefruit juice while on this medication. Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of dextromethorphan, one of DayQuil’s ingredients. Side effects such as anxiety and dizziness are more likely at higher doses.
Serious Side Effects
An allergic reaction is a serious side effect of DayQuil. Among the symptoms are:
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Red, peeling, or blistering skin
- Itchiness
- Difficulty breathing
- Trouble swallowing
If you have any of these symptoms while taking DayQuil, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention.
Drugs That Interact With DayQuil
DayQuil’s active ingredients may interact with other medications. These interactions may affect how the medications work or increase your risk of experiencing serious side effects. If you use any of the medicines listed below or any other medicines, vitamins, or herbs, ask your doctor before using DayQuil.
The acetaminophen in DayQuil may interact with the medicines listed below:
- Carbamazepine
- Isoniazid
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Phenothiazines
- Warfarin
Dextromethorphan and phenylephrine are two ingredients in DayQuil that can interfere with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Even if you’ve stopped using MAOIs, interactions might occur if you’ve taken them in the last two weeks. These are some examples of these drugs:
- Isocarboxazid
- Phenelzine
- Selegiline
- Tranylcypromine
Also, do not use DayQuil if you consume more than three alcoholic beverages each day. This combination has the potential to cause severe liver damage.
3 Tips For Sleeping After Taking DayQuil
As previously said, getting enough sleep is important, especially if you are sick. This will help your body’s recovery. However, we understand that sleeping can be difficult when you have a cold or the flu. So, what are the methods that should be used?
1. Gargle With A Mixture Of Water And Salt
Likely, your parents and grandparents are still doing it. It’s not surprising, given that this technique works and has been used as a treatment for centuries.
First, just prepare lukewarm saline water. It may seem not very easy, but all it takes is one cup of water and a quarter of a teaspoon of table salt. After that, gargle the solution for instant relief. This should help in the prevention of the growth of bacteria.
2. Use Steam Before Going to Bed
Steaming is also beneficial for those suffering from colds and flu. This might help to clear out your upper respiratory tract and reduce nasal congestion. If you have a sore throat, this might also be a good remedy. To increase the effectiveness of the water, some people add eucalyptus oil.
However, there is a word of warning. To inhale properly, you must exhale slowly and gently. If you do it abruptly, you may have discomfort.
3. Invest In A Good Humidifier
It’s a good thing you have a humidifier. You should use this because it helps to increase the moisture in the air. As a result, breathing becomes easier for you. However, you must check that your product is appropriate for the size of your room. You must properly check the label. Also, remember to clean it so that it is free of dirt and bacteria.
DayQuil Won’t Make You Sleepy But NyQuil Will
In conclusion, DayQuil is a non-drowsy multi-symptom relief drug that will not keep you awake if taken before bedtime and should not be used to try to stay awake because it lacks the active mimicking elements that promote alertness.
DayQuil has no effect on sleeping patterns or quality of sleep. NyQuil, on the other hand, includes doxylamine, an antihistamine that might make you drowsy, but it should not be used just as a sleep aid because greater dosages can produce hallucinations.
DayQuil is an excellent and safe sleep aid, however it may interact negatively with alcohol, MAOIs, and other medications.
DayQuil, like other medications, may cause mild side effects such as nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and stomach discomfort, as well as significant negative effects anaphylactic responses, for instance, require immediate medical attention. Although it is typically safe to use with nonmedicated sleeping aids, DayQuil does not appear to interfere with sleep medications.
The Bottom Line
Finally, note that DayQuil is only a non-drowsy medicine, not a stimulating or energizing one. This means you can take it whenever you want and still get a good sleep at night. There are several sleep aid options that you might use in combination with DayQuil to improve the quality of your sleep. Some of the people deeply believes that better eating habits also helps for a good sleep.
Other healthy sleep hygiene practices are as useful. Moreover, you have a variety of safe methods to increase your energy levels healthily. We hope the information in this article is useful to you when you begin using DayQuil to feel better.
