Can You Take Tylenol With ZzzQuil?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses the safety of combining Tylenol with ZzzQuil.
Hello! I have migraines sometimes and take Tylenol. I have been having some issue sleeping and want to know if it is okay to take it with ZzzQuil.
Oct 03, 2022- Tylenol is safe to take with most ZzzQuil products since there are no known interactions between them.
- Do not combine Tylenol with ZzzQuil Night Pain or similar products that already contain acetaminophen, as this can lead to taking too much acetaminophen at once.
- Always check the product label to see what active ingredients are in your ZzzQuil product before combining it with other medications.
Answer
Thanks so much for reaching out to us!
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is safe to take with most ZzzQuil products, including the original 'ZzzQuil'. There are no known interactions between the two.
Now, this only applies to most ZzzQuil products. Similar products, like NyQuil, 'ZzzQuil Night Pain' and DayQuil already contain Tylenol (acetaminophen), and therefore, you don't want to combine them and risk taking too much acetaminophen at once.
What Is In ZzzQuil?
Unlike NyQuil and Dayquil, which contain a number of drugs, ZzzQuil only contains one active ingredient:
- Diphenhydramine (or doxylamine, depending on the ZzzQuil product)
ZzzQuil Ultra tablets contain doxylamine, while ZzzQuil LiquiCaps and ZzzQuil liquids contain diphenhydramine. Both of these drugs are first-generation, sedating antihistamines, and are taken to help make you drowsy and fall asleep faster.
Don't Combine Tylenol With 'ZzzQuil Night Pain'
When ZzzQuil was first introduced to the market, it only contained a sedating antihistamine (i.e. doxylamine or diphenhydramine). However, the product line is ever expanding and you have to be sure to take the time to read product labels.
A new ZzzQuil product has recently been released, 'ZzzQuil Night Pain'. This product contains:
- Acetaminophen
- Diphenhydramine
It's rarely a good idea to combine two products that have the same active ingredient. This is especially the case for Tylenol (acetaminophen), where inadvertent overdoses are common, and among the most commonly reported to Poison Control.
So, just make sure you are combining Tylenol only with ZzzQuil products that don't contain acetaminophen.
Final Words
Thanks so much for reaching out! I hope you start to feel better!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Acetaminophen
- A common pain reliever and fever reducer found in many over-the-counter medications like Tylenol.
- Antihistamines
- Drugs that reduce the effects of histamine in the body and are often used to cause drowsiness and help with sleep.
- Diphenhydramine
- A first-generation antihistamine used in sleep aids to help make you drowsy and fall asleep faster.
- Doxylamine
- A first-generation antihistamine similar to diphenhydramine that is used in some sleep aid products.
- Active ingredient
- The part of a medication that produces the intended therapeutic effect in the body.
- Interactions
- Unwanted effects that occur when two or more drugs are combined and affect how each other works in the body.
- Overdose
- Taking too much of a substance, which can cause harmful or dangerous effects.
- Poison Control
- A medical emergency service that provides guidance and treatment information for people exposed to harmful substances.
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...
More answers from Brian →