Does Nyquil Make You Sleepy?

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What is NyQuil?

NyQuil is a widely used medication for flu and cold symptoms, which contains components that address fever, coughing, congestion, and joint aches. Notably, many people often ask, “Does NyQuil make you sleepy?” The answer is yes, NyQuil can make you drowsy. This is mainly because NyQuil contains doxylamine, an antihistamine that helps treat itchy eyes, sneezing, and congestion by reducing histamine in the body, a compound responsible for such symptoms. While NyQuil is tailored for nighttime use to help users get a restful sleep, its counterpart, DayQuil, is formulated for daytime use and does not induce drowsiness. Whether in gel, capsule, or liquid form, it’s essential to choose the right product based on your needs and the time of day..

Why Does Nyquil Make you Sleepy?

The reason why NyQuil is so addictive is that it contains ingredients that develop a need for this drug.

Nyquil ingredients include:

1.    Dextromethorphan HBr

This ingredient acts as a cough suppressant. If you take Nyquil more than 12 times the recommended dosage, it will affect your hearing and sight. You will develop a feeling of dissociation, detachment from yourself, and the environment. Low doses of DXM can also induce a NyQuil high that give you psychedelic trips if your body is unusually slow in metabolizing it.

The presence of DXM temporarily relieves coughing by suppressing activity in the medulla oblongata region of your brain. Medulla oblongata helps in controlling reflex activates such as coughing, vomiting, sneezing, and swallowing.

2.    Doxylamine Succinate

This sleeping aid gives you a relaxed and drowsy feeling. This ingredient is officially listed as an antihistamine.

3.    Citric Acid

Citric Acid is a useful flu killer, but only when you spray it in your nose. As you need to swallow NyQuil instead of inhaling, the presence of citric acid is too much for your body.

4.    Propylene Glycol and Polyethylene Glycol

These chemical cousins are used as thickeners. The consistency is somewhere between honey and water, but it does not look like that naturally. Drug marketers know that most people prefer syrup as their medication.

5.    Sodium Citrate

To maintain the acid-base concentration and balance between the ingredients, they add sodium citrate. Sodium citrate is also an anticoagulant, which helps in buffering.

6.    Flavor

This isn’t suggested by P&G, but due to NyQuil’s taste, we are sure that it includes flavor. You can swallow one or two tablespoons but cannot drink it.

7.    High Fructose Corn Syrup

One or two spoons of sugar help users in swallowing it.

Does NyQuil Include Alcohol?

NyQuil liquid contains 10% alcohol. This drug is the only medicine containing alcohol. In the form of gel capsules, this does not include alcohol. There is a low risk of intoxication for this liquid. However, if you try to take high quantities to get intoxicated, you will overdose from various other components. The reaction is very quick, and you may suffer from fatal effects before any treatment. If you are using it for a long time daily, it can cause severe addiction. You can recover by joining our rehabilitation program.

NyQuil Addiction

Misuse is not common, but it happens to a lot of people. There is a probability that some people develop a tolerance for this drug causing long term transfer addiction. No matter if you are using it for the right reason or not, this medication should be for short-term use only. Some people use this as a sleep aid due to its relieving and relaxing qualities; some use this drug for asthma, which is not made for, while others use it because they like the feeling it gives. Using NyQuil for these reasons is dangerous, and you should avoid doing so. Here are some properties of NyQuil addiction:

• This drug contains alcohol
• You may feel hallucinogenic, which is also the side effect of PCP and ketamine
• You may also suffer from seizures, hallucinations, and respiratory disorders

Using NyQuil Excessively

Some people cannot tolerate using NyQuil for so long, but others may feel relaxed and help while sleeping. But this will gradually convert into addiction and becomes a gateway to other drugs and substances such as alcohol. On using both drugs, you can raise the risk of serious health conditions, including death. Your liver will also be at risk when taking high doses of it for long periods. However, there is always help; you can join our rehab center for recovery.

NyQuil and Sleepiness: How Does NyQuil Make You Sleepy?

NyQuil is a popular over-the-counter medication known for its effectiveness in relieving common cold and flu symptoms such as coughing, congestion, and runny nose. It is available in various formulations, but many NyQuil products contain a combination of ingredients, including antihistamines like doxylamine succinate, which is known for its sedative effects and why it makes you sleepy.

Here’s how NyQuil can affect your sleepiness:

1. Induces Drowsiness: NyQuil’s sedative component, doxylamine succinate, is designed to help you get restful sleep when you’re feeling under the weather. This ingredient can indeed make you feel drowsy, which is often desirable when you’re looking to alleviate cold or flu symptoms and get some much-needed rest.
2. Promotes Sleep: For individuals who struggle with sleep disturbances due to cold or flu symptoms, NyQuil can be beneficial. It can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy a more peaceful night’s rest, allowing your body to recover from illness.
3. Duration of Sleepiness: It’s important to note that the drowsiness induced by NyQuil is typically intended to last through the night. However, this effect can vary from person to person. Some individuals might still feel somewhat drowsy the next morning, especially if they haven’t had a full night’s sleep.
4. Cautions and Recommendations: While NyQuil’s sleep-inducing properties can be advantageous when you’re unwell, it’s crucial to use the medication as directed. Avoid using NyQuil when you need to be alert or operate heavy machinery. Additionally, if you have a history of sensitivity to sedatives or experience excessive sleepiness, consult with a healthcare professional before using NyQuil.

NyQuil does indeed have the potential to make you feel sleepy due to the sedative properties of ingredients like doxylamine succinate. This can be helpful when you’re dealing with cold or flu symptoms and need a good night’s sleep to aid in your recovery. However, it’s important to use NyQuil responsibly and follow the recommended dosage to avoid excessive drowsiness or other adverse effects. If you have concerns about how NyQuil may affect your sleep, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Consequences of Overdosing NyQuil

Similar to any drug, an overdose of NyQuil can have severe consequences. If your body is used to this drug, you may also feel withdrawal symptoms while quitting. These symptoms include nausea, stomach pain, chills, depression, and anxiety. These symptoms will interfere with a healthy recovery, and you will feel hopeless. You can get help by calling our addiction specialists.

What are the Withdrawal Symptoms?

If you exceed the recommended dose or use it with alcohol for more than two to three weeks daily, you will experience withdrawal symptoms when you quit using this drug. Here are some signs of NyQuil withdrawal:

• Diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Insomnia
• Agitation, anxiety, and restlessness
• Cravings for medication that contains similar ingredients
• Gray mood, depression, or suicidal ideation

Dextromethorphan causes symptoms like a stimulant, such as increased heartbeat, hallucinations, sweating, distorted perceptions, and hyperactivity. This ingredient was officially developed by the U.S. Navy and CIA to help people with codeine addiction. FDA approved the use of DXM 50 years ago in over-the-counter medication as a cough suppressant.

Severe Symptoms of Addiction

The symptoms of withdrawal are not life-threatening, and you can resolve them with professional treatment. However, if you are taking it along with marijuana or alcohol for a long time, you will face severe withdrawal symptoms. To overcome such severe consequences, you need to join a rehab center for treatment. If you are looking for help, visit our rehabilitation center.

Side Effects and Abuse of Nyquil

Almost every drug has side effects, including NyQuil. This drug will affect you, depending on its usage. Any addiction is dangerous, so you should not take it lightly.

The most common side effects include:

• Stomach pain
• Blurred vision
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness

If you are using NyQuil, you should always follow instructions and prescriptions from your doctor. Taking too much can lead to severe side effects. By using acetaminophen, you can damage your liver. You may also lose consciousness when you consume excessive amounts of it regularly. It can also trigger allergic reactions that pop up suddenly and include itching, difficulty in swallowing, hives, and swelling. If you think that your usage has led to an addiction and you cannot quit the habit of consuming it, join our rehab program.

Help for Addiction

Many long-term users have been successfully treated at Resurgence Behavioral Health.

If you want to know more about our addiction treatment programs, contact us at 855-458-0050.

We offer effective drug and alcohol rehab programs that can help you get on the path of recovery.