Does Dayquil keep you awake?

Does Dayquil keep you awake?

The drug Dayquil is used to treat the symptoms of the common cold and flu. Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine are the active components. Dayquil was created to be used throughout the day, as the name suggests.

Because some cold medications might keep you awake, many individuals question if taking Dayquil will keep you awake. Make sure to read to the end of this page to learn what Dayquil is, what it accomplishes, possible side effects, and the answer to the question “Does Dayquil keep you awake?”

This article will provide you with some useful information.

What is Dayquil?

Dayquil is a cold and flu medication that relieves a variety of symptoms, including sore throat, fever, nasal congestion, headache, cough, and more.

The active ingredients are:

• acetaminophen (analgesic),
• dextromethorphan (cough suppressant), and
• phenylephrine (decongestant).

Dayquil, how does it work?

Acetaminophen is a fever reducer (antipyretic) and pain reliever (analgesic). It works by changing your body’s perception of pain. It also has an impact on how your body regulates its temperature.

Coughing is prevented by dextromethorphan. The third component, phenylephrine, is a nasal decongestant. It aids in the reduction of nasal blood vessel enlargement.

Does Dayquil keep you awake?

Dayquil does not include any stimulants; thus, it will not keep you awake. It usually doesn’t have any caffeine or other stimulants in it.

What dosages and types are available?

Dayquil is contained in LiquiCaps, which are liquid-filled capsules. It can also be consumed as a beverage. The suggested dosage for each type is broken down by age group in the table below. Consult your doctor for the recommended dosage for children aged 4 to 5, and do not give Dayquil to children under the age of 4.

Recommended dosage	LiquiCaps	Liquid
Adults and children 12 years and older	two capsules every 4 hours as needed, no more than four doses in 24 hours	30 mL every 4 hours as needed, no more than 4 doses in 24 hours
Children ages 6-11 years	Ask your doctor	15 mL every 4 hours as needed, no more than four doses in 24 hours
Children ages 4-5 years	Ask your doctor	Ask your doctor
Children younger than 4 years	Do not use	Do not use

Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or worsen after two days of taking Dayquil.

Dayquil side effects

Dayquil may come with a number of unfavorable side effects. The majority of these side effects are self-limiting and do not demand medical attention. Rather, they may go away when your body responds to the medicine.

Sleeping problems, vomiting, dizziness, anxiousness, nausea, stomach pain, lightheadedness, and sleepiness are just a few of Dayquil’s side effects.

One thing to keep in mind is that taking Dayquil with grapefruit juice is a no-no. Avoid grapefruit juice while using this medication. Dextromethorphan, a component of Dayquil, may be raised by grapefruit juice. At higher doses, side symptoms like anxiety and dizziness are more common.

Overuse of Dayquil

Dayquil contains acetaminophen, which can cause catastrophic liver damage at very high doses. For that matter, you don’t have to overuse Dayquil. Also, make sure you’re not using any other drugs that contain acetaminophen or let your doctor/pharmacist know about it.

Note that mixing Dayquil with other acetaminophen-containing drugs can result in an overdose, even if you take it exactly as advised.

The dangers of taking Dayquil

Dayquil, while generally regarded as a safe medicine, can be hazardous if used without regard for pre-existing medical issues. You should check with your doctor before using Dayquil if you have diabetes, thyroid illness, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, or an enlarged prostate.

The primary element in Dayquil, dextromethorphan, is a commonly misused medication. In large doses, it causes pleasure and even hallucinations. This dangerous behavior is referred to as “robo-tripping” or “skittling,” and it can be deadly. Dayquil should be taken exactly as advised.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Does Dayquil have caffeine in it?

Caffeine is not present in Dayquil. Acetaminophen for pain relief and fever reduction, dextromethorphan for cough suppression, and phenylephrine hydrochloride for nasal congestion relief are the key components or constituents.

Is Dayquil a stimulant?

Because Dayquil does not include any stimulants, it has no effect on energy levels. As a result, you can resume your normal daily activities without feeling invigorated at work after taking it.

Does Dayquil make you sleepy?

Yes, sleepiness is one of the possible side effects of Dayqui. Because this side effect does not stay long and doesn’t affect everyone, no medical intervention is required in response to it.

Is it possible to take Dayquil at night?

It’s not a good idea to take Dayquil at night. Dayquil is supposed to be used throughout the day, as the name suggests. The dosage of Dayquil is one of the reasons why you shouldn’t take it at night.

It has a four-hour dosing interval and three-times-daily ingestion. The three-time limit, however, cannot be exceeded. People who do not begin their daily dose early may end up taking the last dose late in the evening or at night.

It should be noted that taking the three daily doses is not required. This is due to the fact that the third dose is usually taken at night, so take Nyquil instead when it gets close to bedtime for your last dose.

Another reason to avoid taking Dayquil at night is that it contains phenylephrine, a decongestant that does not last as long as pseudoephedrine or other decongestants (Sudafed).

Dayquil should not be taken at night since it can make you feel uncomfortable and restless and cause your heart to race. Dayquil might make some people feel joyful or awake when taken late at night.

It has the potential to cause negative side effects. The majority of these side effects are self-limiting and do not demand medical attention. Rather, they may go away when your body responds to the medicine. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach discomfort, and other adverse effects are among them.

We wrote an extensive article on why you should not take Dayquil at night so you can check it out for more information: Can you take dayquil at night?

Summary

Dayquil is a medicine that is used to treat the symptoms of a common cold or flu. As the name implies, Dayquil was designed to be used throughout the day. Because Dayquil has no stimulants, it will not keep you awake. There is usually no caffeine or other stimulants in it.