Does NyQuil Contain Benadryl?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not NyQuil contains Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
Does NyQuil contain Benadryl?
Dec 27, 2022- NyQuil does not contain Benadryl but instead contains doxylamine, which is a different antihistamine used as a sleep aid.
- You should not take NyQuil and Benadryl together because both contain antihistamines and combining them increases the risk of serious side effects like excessive drowsiness, confusion, and breathing problems.
Answer
No, NyQuil does not contain Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
NyQuil contains the following medications:
- Acetaminophen: An analgesic used for the treatment of fever, headache, aches, and pains.
- Dextromethorphan: An antitussive agent to help control cough.
- Doxylamine: A first-generation antihistamine that is commonly used as a sleeping agent due to its side effect of sedation or drowsiness.
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is also a first-generation antihistamine that can cause sedation or drowsiness. It is considered to be in the same class of drugs as the doxylamine that is found in NyQuil. Benadryl can also be used as a short-term sleeping aid, but it is also commonly used to treat allergies, allergic reactions, and itching. Since Benadryl and NyQuil both contain antihistamines, they should not be taken together. There is an increased risk of the side effects of sedation, drowsiness, confusion, coordination problems, respiratory depression (breathing problems), and dizziness.
Final Words
As stated before, NyQuil does not contain Benadryl (diphenhydramine). It does, however, contain doxylamine which is also an antihistamine like Benadryl that can be used as a sleep aid.
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Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Analgesic
- A medication that relieves pain.
- Antitussive
- A medication that helps suppress or control cough.
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks the effects of histamine in the body to reduce allergic reactions and other symptoms.
- Sedation
- A state of reduced alertness or sleepiness caused by medication.
- Diphenhydramine
- The active ingredient in Benadryl, a first-generation antihistamine.
- Doxylamine
- A first-generation antihistamine used in NyQuil as a sleep aid.
- Respiratory depression
- A slowing of breathing rate that can be caused by certain medications.
- Dextromethorphan
- An active ingredient in NyQuil that suppresses coughing.
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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