Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIngredientsDosageSide EffectsEffectiveness
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Dosage
Side Effects
Effectiveness
DayQuil Cold & Flu is a multi-purpose medication used to treat common cold and flu symptoms. DayQuil ingredients include a fever and pain reducer (acetaminophen), cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), and decongestant (phenylephrine).
DayQuil is the daytime equivalent of NyQuil, designed to provide temporary symptom relief without making you drowsy. The medicine comes in a gel cap and liquid formulas. They may contain different amounts of Dayquil ingredients or added components like guaifenesin.
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DayQuil Ingredients
DayQuil is available in either a gel cap or syrup formulation. They come in blue or orange colors, in contrast to their nighttime counterpart,NyQuil, which is green. The syrup has a sweetened orange flavor with an antiseptic aftertaste.
DayQuil (regular strength) contains the following three active ingredients per recommended adult dose of either 30 milliliter (mL) liquid or two gel caps:
Different formulations of DayQuil may contain different ingredients. DayQuil typically starts to work to relieve symptoms in about 30 minutes.
FDA and Phenylephrine EffectivenessIn 2023, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel concluded that phenylephrine isn’t effective as a decongestant when taken orally. For now, however, it’s still included in Dayquil and similar products.
FDA and Phenylephrine Effectiveness
In 2023, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel concluded that phenylephrine isn’t effective as a decongestant when taken orally. For now, however, it’s still included in Dayquil and similar products.
Inactive Ingredients
The inactive ingredients in DayQuil include:
Again, inactive ingredients may differ based on the specific formulation.
Does DayQuil Have Caffeine in It?No, DayQuil does not contain caffeine, making it a suitable choice for people who are sensitive to caffeine.It also does not contain alcohol.
Does DayQuil Have Caffeine in It?
No, DayQuil does not contain caffeine, making it a suitable choice for people who are sensitive to caffeine.It also does not contain alcohol.
Recommended Dosage
DayQuil should not be used in children under the age of 6 unless under the direction of a pediatrician.
Side Effects and Considerations
While DayQuil is considered safe if used as directed, the active ingredients phenylephrine and dextromethorphan can cause the following side effects:
Serious Side Effects
DayQuil can cause serious side effects, especially if you take other medication or drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day. Severe issues may include the following:
If you take a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor medication, you should avoid taking DayQuil at the same time.Talk with your healthcare provider to ensure it is safe for you to use.
Can I take DayQuil and Tylenol?No, you should not take DayQuil and Tylenol together. Dayquil contains acetaminophen, which is the same medicine as Tylenol. Taking more than 4,000 mg a day can cause liver damage.
Can I take DayQuil and Tylenol?
No, you should not take DayQuil and Tylenol together. Dayquil contains acetaminophen, which is the same medicine as Tylenol. Taking more than 4,000 mg a day can cause liver damage.
Drug Effectiveness of DayQuil
While the acetaminophen component of DayQuil is effective in treating cold symptoms such as headache and fever, several studies have found thatibuprofenis superior to acetaminophen for relieving pain.
In terms of cough relief, the results are mixed. Some research shows that OTC cough formulations, including DayQuil, provide no better or worse relief than receiving no treatment at all.
On the other hand, there is also evidence that dextromethorphan, one of the active ingredients in DayQuil, may be the most effective cough suppressant available after all.
Some studies suggest that oral phenylephrine is not effective at treating symptoms of nasal congestion.While the FDA notes the evidence on efficacy, its advisors did not find safety concerns with taking DayQuil at the recommended dose. An evaluation process continues.
Summary
DayQuil Cold and Flu is a multi-purpose medication used to treat cold and flu symptoms. It contains three active ingredients: the pain-reliever acetaminophen, the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, and the decongestant phenylephrine. Research evidence suggests that oral phenylephrine may not be effective at treating nasal congestion.
DayQuil is considered safe when used as directed, but it does come with a potential for side effects in some people, such as nervousness, dizziness, and sleepiness. If your symptoms last more than seven days despite taking DayQuil, stop taking the drug and contact your healthcare provider.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vicks.DayQuil.Dayquil.DayQuil™ and NyQuil™ Cough, Cold & Flu Relief Liquid Co-Pack.Food and Drug Administration.FDA clarifies results of recent advisory committee meeting on oral phenylephrine.Vicks.Dayquil label.Vicks.DayQuil FAQs.MedlinePlus.Phenylephrine.MedlinePlus.Dextromethorphan.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Talton CW.Serotonin syndrome/Serotonin toxicity.Fed Pract. 2020;37(10):452-459. doi:10.12788/fp.0042Food and Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of rare but serious skin reactions with the pain reliever/fever reducer acetaminophen.Moore RA, Derry S, Wiffen PJ, Straube S, Aldington DJ.Overview review: Comparative efficacy of oral ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) across acute and chronic pain conditions.Eur J Pain. 2015 Oct;19(9):1213-1223. doi:10.1002/ejp.649Morice A, Kardos P.Comprehensive evidence-based review on European antitussives.BMJ Open Resp Res. 2016;3(1):e000137. doi:10.1136/bmjresp-2016-000137Livier Castillo J, Flores Valdés JR, Maney Orellana M, Satish S, Ijioma CE, Benjamin J,et al.The Use and Efficacy of Oral Phenylephrine Versus Placebo Treating Nasal Congestion Over the Years on Adults: A Systematic Review.Cureus. 2023 Nov 19;15(11):e49074. doi:10.7759/cureus.49074
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vicks.DayQuil.Dayquil.DayQuil™ and NyQuil™ Cough, Cold & Flu Relief Liquid Co-Pack.Food and Drug Administration.FDA clarifies results of recent advisory committee meeting on oral phenylephrine.Vicks.Dayquil label.Vicks.DayQuil FAQs.MedlinePlus.Phenylephrine.MedlinePlus.Dextromethorphan.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Talton CW.Serotonin syndrome/Serotonin toxicity.Fed Pract. 2020;37(10):452-459. doi:10.12788/fp.0042Food and Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of rare but serious skin reactions with the pain reliever/fever reducer acetaminophen.Moore RA, Derry S, Wiffen PJ, Straube S, Aldington DJ.Overview review: Comparative efficacy of oral ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) across acute and chronic pain conditions.Eur J Pain. 2015 Oct;19(9):1213-1223. doi:10.1002/ejp.649Morice A, Kardos P.Comprehensive evidence-based review on European antitussives.BMJ Open Resp Res. 2016;3(1):e000137. doi:10.1136/bmjresp-2016-000137Livier Castillo J, Flores Valdés JR, Maney Orellana M, Satish S, Ijioma CE, Benjamin J,et al.The Use and Efficacy of Oral Phenylephrine Versus Placebo Treating Nasal Congestion Over the Years on Adults: A Systematic Review.Cureus. 2023 Nov 19;15(11):e49074. doi:10.7759/cureus.49074
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vicks.DayQuil.Dayquil.DayQuil™ and NyQuil™ Cough, Cold & Flu Relief Liquid Co-Pack.Food and Drug Administration.FDA clarifies results of recent advisory committee meeting on oral phenylephrine.Vicks.Dayquil label.Vicks.DayQuil FAQs.MedlinePlus.Phenylephrine.MedlinePlus.Dextromethorphan.MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Talton CW.Serotonin syndrome/Serotonin toxicity.Fed Pract. 2020;37(10):452-459. doi:10.12788/fp.0042Food and Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of rare but serious skin reactions with the pain reliever/fever reducer acetaminophen.Moore RA, Derry S, Wiffen PJ, Straube S, Aldington DJ.Overview review: Comparative efficacy of oral ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) across acute and chronic pain conditions.Eur J Pain. 2015 Oct;19(9):1213-1223. doi:10.1002/ejp.649Morice A, Kardos P.Comprehensive evidence-based review on European antitussives.BMJ Open Resp Res. 2016;3(1):e000137. doi:10.1136/bmjresp-2016-000137Livier Castillo J, Flores Valdés JR, Maney Orellana M, Satish S, Ijioma CE, Benjamin J,et al.The Use and Efficacy of Oral Phenylephrine Versus Placebo Treating Nasal Congestion Over the Years on Adults: A Systematic Review.Cureus. 2023 Nov 19;15(11):e49074. doi:10.7759/cureus.49074
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Dayquil.DayQuil™ and NyQuil™ Cough, Cold & Flu Relief Liquid Co-Pack.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA clarifies results of recent advisory committee meeting on oral phenylephrine.
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Vicks.DayQuil FAQs.
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Food and Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of rare but serious skin reactions with the pain reliever/fever reducer acetaminophen.
Moore RA, Derry S, Wiffen PJ, Straube S, Aldington DJ.Overview review: Comparative efficacy of oral ibuprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) across acute and chronic pain conditions.Eur J Pain. 2015 Oct;19(9):1213-1223. doi:10.1002/ejp.649
Morice A, Kardos P.Comprehensive evidence-based review on European antitussives.BMJ Open Resp Res. 2016;3(1):e000137. doi:10.1136/bmjresp-2016-000137
Livier Castillo J, Flores Valdés JR, Maney Orellana M, Satish S, Ijioma CE, Benjamin J,et al.The Use and Efficacy of Oral Phenylephrine Versus Placebo Treating Nasal Congestion Over the Years on Adults: A Systematic Review.Cureus. 2023 Nov 19;15(11):e49074. doi:10.7759/cureus.49074
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