Does NyQuil Help With Nasal Congestion?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not NyQuil will help to relieve nasal congestion.
I have a cold and am really having trouble with nasal congestion. I have a bottle of NyQuil and wondering if it will help clear my congestion.
Sep 13, 2022- Original NyQuil does not contain a decongestant and will not effectively treat nasal congestion, though it may help slightly with postnasal drip through its antihistamine ingredient. NyQuil Severe contains phenylephrine, a decongestant that can help with congestion, though pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is likely more effective if you're primarily concerned with clearing a stuffy nose. Other options for congestion include nasal steroids like Flonase for long-term relief or topical decongestants like Afrin for quick relief, though topical decongestants should not be used for more than two to three days.
Answer
Hello and thanks for your question! There are several NyQuil products on the market and you want to make sure you pick the right one for your symptoms.
If you are mostly having trouble with congestion, it is very important that you pick the correct NyQuil product since only some of them contain a decongestant.
For example, the original NyQuil formula does not have a decongestant in it! It only contains the following three active ingredients:
- Acetaminophen
- Dextromethorphan
- Doxylamine
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever/fever reducer. It is also the active ingredient in Tylenol. When it comes to its use in treating a cold, it will help with minor aches and pains and can also lower your temperature if you have a fever.
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant and should reduce both the frequency of cough and the severity of it.
Lastly, doxylamine is a sedating antihistamine. It (in addition to the alcohol that NyQuil contains) is what makes you tired. Antihistamines also help to reduce the severity of many cold symptoms, including a runny nose, watery eyes, and postnasal drip. They may help slightly in treating nasal congestion since they can reduce inflammation and have a 'drying' effect (i.e. reduce mucus secretion), but drugs that are specifically classified as decongestants are far more effective.
Pick NyQuil Severe For Congestion
If you want a NyQuil product that has a decongestant, be sure to pick up NyQuil Severe. NyQuil Severe contains four active ingredients:
- Acetaminophen
- Dextromethorphan
- Doxylamine
- Phenylephrine
As you can see, NyQuil Severe simply contains one additional ingredient, the nasal decongestant phenylephrine.
Studies show that phenylephrine likely isn't as effective as the other oral decongestant available over the counter, pseudoephedrine, but it can still be a good option to use to help with your stuffy nose.
So, the overall point is that the original NyQuil won't help to clear your congestion since it doesn't contain a decongestant. NyQuil Severe, on the other hand, is a perfectly fine option since it does contain a decongestant (phenylephrine).
Other Options For Congestion
If nasal congestion is your only concern here, there are several other alternative options available that could effectively treat it.
First and foremost, the oral decongestant pseudoephedrine (also available as the brand name Sudafed) will likely be your most effective option.
While it is available over the counter, it must be purchased at the pharmacy and you will have to show identification for it (pursuant to the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act). It works very well to reduce congestion but be sure to ask your doctor about its use first if you have high blood pressure or a history of cardiac issues.
Other over-the-counter options to treat congestion include:
- Nasal steroids (e.g. Flonase, Nasonex)
- Topical decongestants, such as Afrin and Neo-Synephrine
- Nasal steroids are great at reducing inflammation and congestion over the long term but don't do a great job of providing immediate relief.
Topical decongestants, like Afrin, begin to work in only a few minutes, but they can only be used for a maximum of two to three days before rebound congestion can occur.
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Decongestant
- A medication that reduces nasal swelling and congestion to help you breathe more easily.
- Acetaminophen
- A pain reliever and fever reducer commonly found in over-the-counter medications like Tylenol.
- Dextromethorphan
- A cough suppressant that reduces how often and how severely you cough.
- Doxylamine
- A sedating antihistamine that reduces allergy symptoms and causes drowsiness.
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks the body's reaction to histamine, reducing symptoms like runny nose and watery eyes.
- Phenylephrine
- A nasal decongestant that helps clear a stuffy nose by narrowing blood vessels in the nasal passages.
- Pseudoephedrine
- An oral decongestant sold as Sudafed that is more effective than phenylephrine but requires showing identification when purchased.
- Nasal steroids
- Anti-inflammatory medications like Flonase that reduce swelling and congestion over time but don't provide immediate relief.
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 →