NyQuil With Prednisone - Interaction Details
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not there is an interaction between NyQuil and prednisone.
I have a sinus infection, so my doctor gave me prednisone and a Zpak. I also want to take NyQuil. I know that is safe with the Zpak but I don't know about NyQuil.
Oct 19, 2022- There is no known interaction between prednisone and NyQuil or NyQuil Severe, so they are safe to take together.
- NyQuil may actually help with some prednisone side effects like insomnia and jitteriness by promoting sleep.
Answer
There is no known interaction between prednisone and any of the drugs contained in NyQuil or NyQuil Severe. They are considered safe to take together.
More Detail
There are a variety of NyQuil formulations on the market, with the two most popular being NyQuil and NyQuil Severe.
NyQuil contains the following ingredients:
- Acetaminophen
- Dextromethorphan
- Doxylamine
NyQuil Severe contains the following ingredients:
- Acetaminophen
- Dextromethorphan
- Doxylamine
- Phenylephrine
So, when considering interactions between prednisone and NyQuil, we have to take into account all of the drugs contained in NyQuil products.
Fortunately, prednisone is safe to take with all of the above drugs.
In fact, NyQuil may help alleviate some of the side effects many individuals experience from prednisone, namely, insomnia and jitteriness. NyQuil can be a good option to help you get some sleep at night.
About NyQuil
NyQuil is a combination ingredient cold/flu medication. As mentioned, it comes in a variety of forms, and can contain the following drugs:
- Acetaminophen: A pain reliever and fever reducer. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in Tylenol.
- Doxylamine: A sedating antihistamine, similar to Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
- Dextromethorphan: A cough suppressant.
- Phenylephrine: A nasal decongestant.
NyQuil begins working about 15 to 30 minutes after taking a dose and has a typical duration of action of around 4-6 hours.
About Prednisone
Prednisone is used alone or with other medications to treat the symptoms of low corticosteroid levels (lack of certain substances that are usually produced by the body and are needed for normal body functioning).
Prednisone is also used to treat other conditions in patients with normal corticosteroid levels. These conditions include:
- Arthritis
- Severe allergic reactions
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lupus
- Various conditions that affect the lungs, skin, eyes, kidneys, blood, thyroid, stomach, and intestines.
Prednisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids and works in those with low levels of corticosteroids by replacing steroids that are normally produced naturally by the body. It works to treat other conditions by reducing swelling and redness and by changing the way the immune system works.
Final Words
I hope you found this answer helpful and please reach back out in the future if anything else comes up!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Prednisone
- A corticosteroid medication that replaces or supplements steroids naturally made by the body and reduces inflammation and immune system activity.
- Acetaminophen
- A pain reliever and fever reducer commonly found in over-the-counter medications like Tylenol.
- Dextromethorphan
- A cough suppressant ingredient found in many cold and flu medications.
- Doxylamine
- A sedating antihistamine that causes drowsiness and is used to help with sleep in cold medications.
- Phenylephrine
- A nasal decongestant that helps reduce nasal congestion and swelling.
- Corticosteroids
- A class of medications that reduce inflammation and suppress immune system activity.
- Antihistamine
- A medication that blocks histamine to reduce allergic reactions and can cause drowsiness.
- Duration of action
- The length of time a medication continues to work in your body after you take it.
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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