How Effective Is DayQuil Compared to a Regular Pain Reliever? (2024)

DayQuil Cold & Flu is a multi-purpose medication used to treat common cold and flu symptoms. It is the daytime equivalent of NyQuil, designed to provide temporary symptom relief without making you drowsy.

DayQuil ingredients include a fever and pain reducer (acetaminophen), cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), and decongestant (phenylephrine). The medicine comes in a gel cap and liquid formulas.

This article discusses DayQuil ingredients. It also explains how to take DayQuil, its potential side effects, and its interactions.

DayQuil Ingredients

DayQuil is available in either a gel cap or syrup formulation. Both are orange-colored (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 30 milliliter (mL) or two gel caps:

• Acetaminophen 650 milligrams (mg) (pain reliever/fever reducer)
• Dextromethorphan 20 mg (cough suppressant)
• Phenylephrine 10 mg (nasal decongestant)

Different formulations of DayQuil may contain different ingredients.

Inactive Ingredients

The inactive ingredients in DayQuil include:

• FD&C Red No. 40
• FD&C Yellow No. 6
• Gelatin
• Glycerin
• Polyethylene glycol
• Povidone
• Propylene glycol
• Purified water
• Sorbitol special
• Titanium dioxide
  

Again, inactive ingredients may differ based on the specific formulation.

Recommended Dosage of DayQuil

The dosage of DayQuil varies by formulation. For the standard syrup formulation, the recommended dosage is as follows:

• Adults and children over 12: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) every four hours with no more than six doses per 24 hours
• Children ages six to 12: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) every four hours with no more than five doses per 24 hours

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:

• Lightheadedness
• Drowsiness
• Nervousness
• Restlessness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Dizziness
• Sleeplessness

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:

• Liver damage: This is most often associated with too much acetaminophen or the combination of using acetaminophen while drinking alcohol.
• Serotonin syndrome: This potentially lethal condition occurs when you mix antidepressant medication (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs) and dextromethorphan.
• Allergic reactions: Signs of an allergy may include skin reddening, blisters, or rash. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction.

You should stop taking DayQuil and call your healthcare provider if your cold or flu symptoms worsen, last for more than seven days, or are accompanied by a fever lasting for more than three days. The same rules apply to children if the cold or flu symptoms last more than five days.

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 that ibuprofen is superior to acetaminophen for relieving pain.

Acetaminophen is better known by the brand name Tylenol. Ibuprofen, meanwhile, is marketed under the brand names Advil and Motrin, among others.

In terms of cough relief, the jury remains largely split. 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.

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 dextromethorpan, and the decongestant phenylephrine.

DayQuil is considered safe when used as direction, 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.