Can You Take NyQuil And Delsym Together?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses why you shouldn't take Delsym and NyQuil together.
I never quite know what medications I can combine when I'm dealing with a cold. NyQuil works well at night but I don't know if I can take Delsym at night along with it.
Apr 12, 2023- NyQuil and Delsym both contain dextromethorphan and should not be taken together because this creates a risk of taking too much of the same cough suppressant at one time.
- Taking too much dextromethorphan can cause side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, and in rare cases at high doses may lead to a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
- Always check the label of over-the-counter products to see what active ingredients they contain before taking them together.
Answer
NyQuil (and NyQuil Severe) should not be taken with Delsym as they both contain the same ingredient, the cough suppressant dextromethorphan.
Taking NyQuil and Delsym would be considered a therapeutic duplication (as you'd be taking the same drug) and you would be at risk of taking too much at one time, which could increase the risk of side effects.
Always Check The Label Of Over-The-Counter Products
It is very important to always look at the label of the product you are looking to take to understand the active ingredient(s) it contains.
Although there are several different 'NyQuil' and 'Delsym' products available, most of them contain the cough suppressant dextromethorphan.
For example, below are the drug labels for 'NyQuil' and 'Delsym 12-hour'. You can see they both contain dextromethorphan.
Taking too much dextromethorphan increases the risk of side effects, which include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Additionally, dextromethorphan is associated with serotonergic effects, especially at high doses.
Excessive dosages have been reported to increase the rare but serious condition known as serotonin syndrome, whose symptoms include:
- Confusion
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Increased heart rate
- Increased body temperature
- Delirium
- SeizuresMuscle spasmuscle spasm
How Long To Separate Doses
NyQuil products have a duration of action of 4 to 6 hours per dose, whereas Delsym products usually last up to 12 hours per dose (although there are some Delsym products that last 4 hours per dose).
If you need to take both NyQuil and Delsym for your symptoms, it is important to separate the doses by the appropriate amount of time to avoid the risk of double dosing.
So, if you take NyQuil first, you can safely take Delsym after 4 to 6 hours.
If you take a 12-hour version of Delsym first, you should wait at least that amount of time before taking NyQuil.
Final Words
Thanks so much for reaching out and please feel free to do so again anytime!
References & sources
- Dextromethorphan Monograph — PubChem
- NyQuil Manufacturer Website — Vicks
- Delsym Manufacturer Website — Delsym.com
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Dextromethorphan
- A cough suppressant ingredient found in many over-the-counter cold and cough medications.
- Therapeutic duplication
- Taking two or more medications that contain the same active ingredient, which can lead to overdosing.
- Active ingredients
- The chemical components in a medication that produce the desired therapeutic effect.
- Serotonergic effects
- The influence a substance has on serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain and body.
- Serotonin syndrome
- A rare but serious condition caused by excessive serotonin in the body, which can produce dangerous symptoms.
- Duration of action
- The length of time a medication remains active and effective in the body.
- Delirium
- A state of severe confusion and disorientation that can develop suddenly.
- Seizures
- Sudden, uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that causes involuntary movements or loss of consciousness.
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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