Can You Take Tylenol With DayQuil?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be taken with DayQuil.
I am taking DayQuil and wanted to know if I can take Tylenol as well on top of it for fever?
Sep 27, 2021- DayQuil and Tylenol both contain acetaminophen, so taking them together at the same time could cause an overdose and serious liver damage.
- You can take DayQuil and Tylenol on the same day if you separate the doses by at least 4 to 6 hours apart.
- The maximum daily dose of acetaminophen is 4,000 mg, so you need to account for the acetaminophen content in both products when using them.
Thanks for reaching out to us! DayQuil and Tylenol (acetaminophen) should not be taken at the same time as they both contain acetaminophen. Taking both together could result in an overdose of the drug.
Taking too much acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage and acetaminophen overdose is one of the main causes of liver injury according to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
However, acetaminophen and DayQuil could certainly be taken on the same day as long as they are separated by at least 4 to 6 hours, as that is the approximate duration of action for both products.
Acetaminophen In DayQuil
DayQuil contains the following drugs (per 15 ml):
- Acetaminophen 325 mg (Pain reliever/fever reducer)
- Dextromethorphan HBr 10 mg (Cough suppressant)
- Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg (Nasal decongestant)
The usual/recommended dose of DayQuil for an adult is:
- Two tablespoonfuls (30 mL) every four to six hours
The usual/recommended dose of DayQuil for children (6 to 12 years old) is:
- One tablespoonful (15 mL) every four to six hours.
Based on the recommended dosage, one adult dose contains 650 mg of Tylenol (acetaminophen) while the dose for children contains 325 mg.
Acetaminophen In Tylenol
Over-the-counter Tylenol comes in multiple dosages, ranging from 325 mg per tablet (Tylenol Regular Strength) to 650 mg per tablet (Tylenol Arthritis Extended-Release).
The maximum recommended amount of Tylenol per dose is 1,000 mg for the immediate-release tablets and 1,300 mg for the extended-release tablets.
The maximum daily dose of acetaminophen is 4,000mg (although some sources recommend to take more than 3,000 mg per day, depending on the medical situation of the individual).
Taking Tylenol With DayQuil
Taking as little as one adult dose of DayQuil (650 mg acetaminophen) and one tablet of extra-strength Tylenol (500 mg acetaminophen) would result in an overdose, potentially increasing the risk of side effects, such as liver injury.
As the duration of action of DayQuil is about 4 to 6 hours, it is important to separate doses of it from Tylenol by at least that amount of time.
So while DayQuil and Tylenol should not be used at the same time, they can be used during the same day, just separated by 4 to 6 hours.
Final Words
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References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Acetaminophen
- A common pain reliever and fever reducer medication found in many over-the-counter drugs.
- Overdose
- Taking too much of a medication, which can cause serious harmful effects in the body.
- Dextromethorphan HBr
- A cough suppressant ingredient that helps reduce coughing.
- Phenylephrine HCl
- A nasal decongestant ingredient that helps relieve congestion and stuffiness in the nose.
- Duration of action
- The length of time a medication continues to work in your body.
- Extended-release
- A type of medication designed to release slowly into the body over a longer period of time.
- Maximum daily dose
- The largest total amount of a medication that is considered safe to take in a 24-hour period.
- FDA
- The Food and Drug Administration, the government agency that oversees the safety of medications and foods.
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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