Concerns Combining Xanax And NyQuil
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses concerns with combining Xanax and NyQuil.
I have been taking 1.5 mg of Xanax every night for sleep for the past 10+ years. I have a cold and was wondering if it is okay to take NyQuil. I took my Xanax at 9:30 PM and it is now 11:35 PM. Is this okay?
Feb 02, 2023- NyQuil and Xanax both depress your central nervous system and combining them increases the risk of serious side effects like excessive sedation, confusion, and respiratory depression. If you need to take both, space them at least four to six hours apart or ask your doctor about using a non-sedating alternative like DayQuil instead. Taking NyQuil just two hours after your Xanax dose means the medications would still be working together in your system.
Answer
Thanks for reaching out to us!
We have actually answered this exact question before, and that answer can be found on our website.
To summarize the concerns with combining NyQuil and Xanax:
- NyQuil contains doxylamine, a sedating antihistamine
- Xanax (alprazolam) is a benzodiazepine and acts as a CNS (central nervous system) depressant
- Doxylamine (the antihistamine in NyQuil) may enhance the CNS depressant effects of other CNS Depressants, like Xanax
- This can increase the risk of side effects, such as sedation, confusion, drowsiness, respiratory depression, and weakness
How To Manage The Interaction
As a general rule of thumb, you don't want to combine drugs like Xanax with other CNS depressants, like NyQuil due to the increased risk of side effects.
Nevertheless, they are sometimes combined if you and your doctor decide it represents the best therapy for you. Just be sure to start at a low dose of each and monitor yourself for side effects.
If you want to avoid the interaction, you should separate the dosing of each by at least four to six hours. Both NyQuil and Xanax have a duration of action around that amount of time, although this can vary by individual.
Final Words
In your question, you mentioned taking Xanax at 9:30 PM and are considering NyQuil at 11:30 PM. In this situation, it's likely that Xanax is still in your system and having an effect on you. As mentioned, I would recommend at least 4 hours between doses to lessen the effects of combined use.
You also have the option of taking other cough/cold medications that don't contain a sedating antihistamine, like DayQuil.
Thanks for reaching out to us! Let us know if we can be of any more help!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks histamine, a chemical in the body that causes allergy and cold symptoms like sneezing and runny nose.
- Benzodiazepine
- A class of medications that calm the nervous system and are often prescribed for anxiety or sleep.
- CNS depressant
- A drug that slows down brain and nervous system activity, reducing alertness and causing drowsiness.
- Doxylamine
- A sedating antihistamine commonly used in over-the-counter sleep and cold medicines to cause drowsiness.
- Alprazolam
- The generic name for the prescription anxiety medication commonly known as Xanax.
- Respiratory depression
- A dangerous slowdown in breathing rate that can occur when the nervous system is overly depressed.
- Duration of action
- The length of time a medication remains active and effective in your body.
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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