Wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages include alcohol, often referred to as ethanol or ethyl alcohol. Alcohol is regarded as a depressive and a “sedative-hypnotic” substance. Higher alcohol consumption levels cause the central nervous system to become depressed (CNS).
Like many antihistamines, doxylamine causes extreme sleepiness, dizziness and light-headedness, and alcohol can increase these effects. Combining the two can also cause slowed breathing, impaired motor control, unusual behavior and memory problems. Drinking alcohol can also increase the side effects of dextromethorphan, or DXM, the cough suppressant component of NyQuil.
- Binge drinking can also make people susceptible to alcohol-related cancers.
- If you’ve already combined them, make sure you know how to recognize the signs of a potential overdose.
- It’s best to avoid alcohol until the drug has left your body, about 24 to 48 hours after your last dose.
- Some people who mix the two substances just fall asleep faster and experience deeper sleep.
- This can lead to excessive drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired cognitive function.
People usually choose to have interactions with alcoholic beverages to feel more relaxed, uninhibited and cheerful. Having two or three drinks a week isn’t likely art therapy for drug andalcohol addiction recovery to cause negative side effects for most. However, drinking too much alcohol can lead to health conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart arrhythmias.
Risks & Dangers of Nyquil and Alcohol Interaction
The dosage amount can vary by product, so it’s imperative to read the label on each medicine and use as directed. For example, 30 milliliters of NyQuil Liquid can be taken every six hours, while a proper dosage of NyQuil LiquiCaps is two pills every six hours. Doxylamine succinate is an antihistamine, which means it blocks the symptoms of allergies, including nasal congestion and sneezing. According to the Vicks website, the alcohol concentration is 10 percent in NyQuil Liquid products 2. That’s about the same alcohol content as the average white wine, according to Alcohol.org, a resource maintained by American Addiction Centers, Inc. Keep in mind, though, that a dose of NyQuil is much smaller than the average serving of wine 13.
Having a drug addiction doesn’t make you a bad person, but it can affect your health and happiness. It’s hard to stop on your own, and FHE Health is experienced in helping people with medical advice, diagnosis or treatment to overcome addiction. Pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in Sudafed, is a decongestant and pain reliever that reduces the swelling and stuffiness caused by a cold. Taking it can lead to a feeling of nervousness, drowsiness and dizziness that some people interpret as being high. However, taking Sudafed and alcohol can suppress respiration and may result in an overdose.
Those with preexisting conditions should be careful about their alcohol intake because drinking may worsen them. Common cold medications such as dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) and pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) are easier to get than prescription drugs, and they can be purchased online. Some websites even instruct users about how much to snort or swallow to get high. The easy access, combined with the fact that these aren’t illegal drugs, has led to the abuse of cold remedies.
He creates this site to offer guidance and support to individuals seeking to overcome addiction and achieve lasting sobriety. With extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment, Francisco is dedicated to helping individuals access the resources they need for successful recovery. If you or a loved one is experimenting with alcohol use or drinking a lot, it’s important to get help sooner rather than later, before drinking turns into an irreversible health concern. In addition to these active ingredients, NyQuil also contains 10 percent alcohol, but an alcohol-free version is available. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records.
Pristiq (Desvenlafaxine) Interaction With Alcohol
Read on for answers to more questions about mixing NyQuil with alcohol.
Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking NyQuil?
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken this medicine within the past few days. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. So does this mean it is okay writing a goodbye letter to addiction to have a little whiskey while you fight the fever and severe aches and pains brought on by this punishing virus? Based on the percentages above, taking one dose (30 ml) of NyQuil liquid would provide a similar amount of alcohol to a small shot of wine. In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses the alcohol content of liquid Nyquil.
Other Nyquil Interactions: Medications That Contain Acetaminophen
Additionally, we have another drug of concern here, acetaminophen, which is the active ingredient in Tylenol. Doxylamine is a very sedating antihistamine, similar to Benadryl. Since alcohol has sedating and CNS (central nervous system) depressant effects, combining it with a sedating antihistamine like doxylamine will make these effects more pronounced. Users describe effects ranging from mild stimulation to alcohol or marijuana-like intoxication.
What Are The Alternatives To Nyquil For Alcoholics?
Alcohol also impairs the body’s production of cytokines, which coordinate the body’s overall immune response. Unfortunately, alcohol impairs the immune system in several ways, making it harder for your body to recover from what’s ailing you. Even users who use NyQuil for its intended purpose may develop a dependency or tolerance. Alcohol also impairs the body’s immune system, making it harder for the body to recover from illness. There are several different NyQuil products on the market, many of which contain alcohol. People should not consume alcohol while taking NyQuil, even if they are using alcohol-free versions.
It can also cause impaired vigilance, which an individual could worsen by consuming alcohol. Dextromethorphan is one of the most common cough-suppressing drugs in OTC medications, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for use back in 1958. Again, scientists are uncertain about how the drug works, although it may affect a part of the brainstem that controls a person’s cough reflex. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever, which some people may know as paracetamol.
At high doses, users report feeling sensations of physical distortion and hallucinations. Adults and children over 12 should take one dose of Nyquil every 6 hours while symptoms last. Scientists remain unsure about how acetaminophen produces its pain-relieving effects. However, unlike some other pain killers, acetaminophen does not reduce the inflammation that might be causing a person’s pain.
If you’re still unsure about whether a medication contains acetaminophen, ask your healthcare professional or a pharmacist. Because alcohol is a depressant drug, it also has sedative effects. Taking doxylamine succinate with alcohol can lead abstinence violation effect definition of abstinence violation effect to a potentially dangerous level of sedation. Doxylamine succinate is an antihistamine that can help with a runny nose and sneezing. It makes you drowsy, which is why it’s often an ingredient in OTC sleep medications, such as Unisom.
If you have any questions or concerns about the medication’s instructions, consult your healthcare professional for clarification. The respiratory system may also be affected by the combination of NyQuil and alcohol. Both substances can depress the respiratory system, leading to slowed breathing and potential respiratory distress.