Drug Trade Name- DayQuil, Alka-Seltzer Plus Flu Liquigels, Comtrex Non-Drowsy, Dayquil Liquicaps, Daytime Cold, Non-Drowsy Daytime, Robitussin Honey Flu Non-Drowsy, Theraflu (pseudoephedrine) Daytime Severe Cold, Theraflu Severe Cold & Congestion Non-Drowsy, Triaminic Cough & Sore Throat (pseudoephedrine), Triaminic Softchew Throat Pain and Cough, Triaminic Softchews Cough & Sore Throat (pseudoephedrine)
Category- Upper Respiratory Combinations
Generic Name- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, phenylephrine
Introduction and Quick Information about DayQuil:
DayQuil belongs to a class of medications known as Upper Respiratory Combinations. phenylephrine, dextromethorphan, acetaminophen is the generic name of DayQuil.
Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever and fever reducer. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that affects the signals in the brain which trigger cough. Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages as dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion.
Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, cough, stuffy nose, and sinus congestion caused by allergies, flu or common cold.
It can also help in treating cough due to emphysema, COPD and smoking.
Is DayQuil Approved by U.S. FDA?
No doubt DayQuil is an effective medication for the treatment of cough, stuffy nose, sinus congestion, and fever or pain due to common flu and cold. These drugs are generally not reviewed by U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration). So, do not take DayQuil without consulting your healthcare provider.
Usage and Benefits of DayQuil:
acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine is the generic name of DayQuil. The mixture of Phenylephrine , Dextromethorphan, and Acetaminophen is used to treat cough, sinus congestion, stuffy nose, and fever or pain caused by the common flu or cold.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant that constricts blood vessels (arteries and veins). It decreases the blood circulation to certain portions and thus reduces swelling and allows respiratory (breathing) and nasal passages to open up.
Dextromethorphan affects those signals in your brain system, which trigger cough reflex. Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant.
The mixture of Phenylephrine, Dextromethorphan, and Acetaminophen is used to treat a cough, sinus congestion, stuffy nose, and fever or pain caused by the common flu or cold. This drug can also help in relieving cough due to emphysema, COPD and smoking.
DayQuil Side Effects:
Do not use DayQuil if you are allergic to it or to diet pills, decongestants, ADHD medications, or stimulants. Stop taking a cough and cold drug if you are already taking an MAO inhibitor such as selegiline (Zelapar, Emsam, Eldepryl), isocarboxazid (Marplan), furazolidone (Furoxone), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), tranylcypromine (Parnate), since last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction may occur, leading to severe adverse reactions.
Ask a pharmacist or doctor about using DayQuil, if you have:
- Liver disease
- A history of cirrhosis
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Chronic bronchitis or emphysema
- Diabetes
- An enlarged prostate
- Glaucoma
- A thyroid disorder
You should confirm your doctor about the side effects of DayQuil because misuse of the drug may lead to various kinds of unwanted side effects.
Side Effects of DayQuil:
- Severe anxiety, dizziness, nervousness, or restless feeling
- Uneven, pounding, or fast heartbeat
- Hallucinations, confusion
- Shallow, slow breathing
- Easy bleeding or bruising, unusual fever, weakness, body aches, chills, flu symptoms
- Increased blood pressure (blurred vision, seizure, trouble concentrating, headache, numbness, chest pain)
- Upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, nausea, dark urine, jaundice, and clay-colored stools
- Upset stomach, mild loss of appetite
- Tingling, warmth, or redness on the skin
- Feeling restless or excited
- Sleep problems
- Itching or skin rashes
It is a partial list of side effects but might experience some other adverse effects that are not listed here. Consult your medical practitioner about any kind of adverse reaction that seems unusual before your problem becomes bothersome.
General Recommended Dosages of DayQuil:
Adults should avoid having more than 1000 mg (1 gram) of acetaminophen per dose or 4000 mg (4 grams) per day. In case you consume more than three alcoholic beverages a day, never consume more than 2000 mg (2 grams) of this medicine on that day.
Do not give DayQuil to children younger than 4 years old. Parents should ask a physician before giving cough or cold drug to a child. Improper use of a cough or cold medication in a very young child may lead to Life-threatening symptoms.
Always talk to your medical expert before taking or giving DayQuil.
In case I Miss my Dose?
In case you forget to use your regular dose of DayQuil, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is a time to take your next scheduled dose, you should skip the missed dose and take your regularly scheduled dose. Never think of taking a double dose to make up for the missed doses to prevent various unwanted side effects.
Patients should call their medical expert if they forget to take their scheduled dosages of DayQui; Inform your medical expert immediately about missing your regular dose of DayQuil.
In case I Take Overdose?
You should be aware of unwanted sedative effects that might occur if you have consumed more than recommended dosage of DayQuil. So, avoid consuming excess amount of any medicine to prevent any negative reaction.
Overdose symptoms of DayQuil may include:
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Stomach pain
- Weakness
- Confusion
In case a patient has swallowed an excessive amount of this medication then contact your health care provider without delay. An Instant treatment can provide you relief and prevent more severe outcomes.
Drug Interactions of DayQuil:
Some medicines may interact with DayQuil. You should inform your doctor about other medications together with DayQuil. Interactive drug can cause various severe reactions.
Interactive Drugs of DayQuil might include:
- probenecid (Benemid)
- celecoxib (Celebrex)
- AIDS or HIV medicine such as ritonavir (Kaletra, Norvir) or zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir)
- An antidepressant such as bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin), amitriptyline (Limbitrol, Vanatrip, Elavil), fluoxetine (Sarafem, Prozac), imipramine (Tofranil, Janimine), fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), and others
- Blood pressure or heart medication such as carvedilol (Coreg), atenolol (Tenoretic, Tenormin), labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne), metoprolol (Toprol, Lopressor), propranolol (InnoPran, Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), quinidine (Quin-G), nadolol (Corgard), and others; or
- Seizure drugs such as phenobarbital (Solfoton) or phenytoin (Dilantin)
Talk to your pharmacist and doctor before using any over-the-counter or prescription medicines, including herbal products.
Life Style and Food Habits You Must Follow When on DayQuil:
Use DayQuil exactly as recommended by your healthcare provider. Avoid using smaller or larger amounts or consuming it for more than the prescribed period. You should follow the important instructions given on the prescription label.
This medication might influence your thinking abilities. Be careful while operating machines, driving, or doing something which requires you to be attentive. Ask a pharmacist or physician before taking any other allergy, cold, sleep, or pain medication.
Always use recommended dose of this medicine. In case your symptoms do not get better, or they become worse, consult your medical practitioner immediately.
How safe is DayQuil for Pregnant Women or Nursing Mothers?
DayQuil has not been assigned to any pregnancy category by the U.S. FDA. DayQuil might cause harm to your unborn child. Consult your medical expert if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant while using this medicine. It is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives left and its benefit outweighs the risk
It is also not known whether DayQuil is found in breast milk. It might contaminate breast milk. This medication could harm your nursing child. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant or if you are experiencing any unusual signs. Do not use this medicine without consulting your healthcare provider if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Complications and Conditions Possible Due to Prolonged Use of DayQuil:
Prolonged use of DayQuil might lead to numerous side effects that are actually harmful to your body. Avoid taking medication for more than the recommended duration. Prolonged use of any drug is harmful for your body. Sometimes it might impose a risk on human life.
Use this medication as recommended by your medical healthcare professional or as directed on the label of medication box. Prolonged use of any drug can make your body system reliant on it. In most of the cases, long-term use of drugs might increase the risk of many health complications. So try to avoid using DayQuil for longer than prescribed duration.
Consult your physician & discuss everything about extended use of DayQuil in case you want to use it for a longer period.
Availability of DayQuil:
You can easily get DayQuil at any drug store. It is recommended to consult your doctor before using this drug and he can also provide information on where this drug can be purchased from.
