Can You Take DayQuil And Ibuprofen Together?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not DayQuil and ibuprofen can safely be taken together.
I'm getting over a cold and taking DayQuil. I usually take ibuprofen when my arthritis flares up. Is it safe to combine both?
Nov 04, 2022- It is safe to take DayQuil and ibuprofen together since there is no known drug interaction between them.
- If you take DayQuil High Blood Pressure, talk to your doctor first because ibuprofen can raise blood pressure and may not be appropriate for you.
- Some studies show that combining ibuprofen and acetaminophen, which is in DayQuil, can be more effective for pain and fever than either medicine alone.
Answer
It is safe to combine DayQuil and ibuprofen. There is no known drug interaction between them.
It is important to note that there are several 'DayQuil' products available on the market, including:
- DayQuil Cold & Flu
- DayQuil Cold & Flu Severe
- DayQuil Cough DM+ Congestion
- DayQuil High Blood Pressure
While all these products contain slightly different ingredients, they are all safe to take with ibuprofen.
Use Caution With 'DayQuil High Blood Pressure'
I do want to call out 'DayQuil High Blood Pressure' though. I'd assume if you are taking this DayQuil product, you are doing so because you have high blood pressure and want to make sure you aren't taking anything to raise it further.
NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of cardiovascular events in certain individuals.
In general, NSAIDs like ibuprofen should be used cautiously if you have high blood pressure or if you have a heart condition.
So, while there is not a specific interaction between 'DayQuil High Blood Pressure' and ibuprofen, you should talk to your doctor first regarding whether or not ibuprofen is safe for you.
What Is In DayQuil?
Since you didn't mention a specific DayQuil product in your question, I'll assume you are referring to the original DayQuil. It contains:
- Acetaminophen
- Dextromethorphan
- Phenylephrine
The 'severe' version of DayQuil also includes guaifenesin, an expectorant.
As mentioned, ibuprofen does not interact with any of the drugs in DayQuil.
In fact, some studies show that combining ibuprofen and acetaminophen (the pain reliever in DayQuil) can be more effective in treating pain and reducing fever than either alone. You can even get acetaminophen and ibuprofen in combination with one another (e.g., Advil Dual Action).
Final Words
Thanks for your great question and reach back out anytime!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Drug interaction
- A reaction that occurs when two medications affect each other's effectiveness or cause unexpected side effects when taken together.
- NSAIDs
- A class of pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications that includes ibuprofen and can affect blood pressure.
- Acetaminophen
- A common pain reliever and fever-reducer medication found in many over-the-counter cold and flu products.
- Dextromethorphan
- A cough suppressant ingredient commonly found in cold and cough medicines.
- Phenylephrine
- A decongestant medication that helps relieve nasal congestion by narrowing blood vessels in the nose.
- Guaifenesin
- An expectorant medication that helps thin and clear mucus to make coughing easier.
- Cardiovascular events
- Serious heart and blood vessel problems such as heart attacks or strokes.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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