Can You Take DayQuil and Ibuprofen Together? - Health Central
These over-the-counter drugs can both be used to treat similar symptoms. We asked the experts whether taking them together is OK.
When you have a cold or the flu, the only thing you're worried about is finding relief. Can you take both DayQuil and ibuprofen together in order to ease your symptoms? The answer is yes, but there are exceptions you need to know about. Here's what the experts have to say about these over-the-counter medications and how they can work together.
What Is DayQuil?
As its name implies, DayQuil is a medication meant to be taken during the day since it is less likely to make you drowsy (unlike its sibling, the nighttime cold and flu medication NyQuil, which has a specific antihistamine that can make you sleepy). DayQuil's active ingredients are:
Acetaminophen, the same painkiller that's found in Tylenol
Phenylephrine, a decongestant that can relieve a stuffy nose caused by allergies, the common cold, and the flu.
Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant
"Some formulations of DayQuil also contain guaifenesin," says Claudia Rondon, Pharm.D., a clinical pharmacist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Guaifenesin is a common expectorant that helps clear mucus and phlegm that develops due to chest congestion.
Each of the active ingredients in DayQuil comes with a few precautions:
Acetaminophen has a maximum daily dose of no more than 4,000 milligrams. If taken in excess, it can cause liver damage, according to research. You should avoid taking it or drugs that contain it, such as DayQuil, if you drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day, per the Cleveland Clinic. Do not take other drugs that contain acetaminophen while you are taking DayQuil; otherwise, you risk a potentially dangerous overdose.
Phenylephrine can cause your blood pressure to rise. If you already have high blood pressure, or hypertension, taking phenylephrine may exacerbate symptoms, per research in the Journal of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. Talk to your doctor before you take phenylephrine or medications that contain it, such as DayQuil.
Dextromethorphan, also called DXM, can be abused. Research shows that in high doses, it causes hallucinations and euphoria.
Side Effects of DayQuil
While this OTC drug is used by millions of Americans, it also can be misused. "It does have some potential to be misused, so purchases are limited in many states to those who are 18 and older," says Mary Catherine Platz, Pharm.D., a pharmacy resident at the University of West Virginia School of Pharmacy in Morgantown, WV.
Along with its cold and flu benefits, there are possible side effects to taking DayQuil, including:
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headache
Insomnia
Nervousness
Nausea
More serious side effects are rare but can occur. They include:
If you experience any of these side effects, talk with your doctor about what you're experiencing. Head straight to the emergency room if you develop chest pain or a fast or irregular heartbeat.
Allergic reactions are rare but very serious. Go to the ER if you develop:
Rash
Itching or swelling, particularly on your face, throat, or tongue
Breathing problems
Severe dizziness
Other Drugs That Interact With DayQuil
Do not take DayQuil if you take a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as Marplan (isocarboxazid) or have taken one in the previous two weeks. These psychiatric medications can cause very serious, potentially fatal, interactions with the ingredients in DayQuil, per Kaiser Permanente.
Dr. Rondon recommends talking with your healthcare provider before taking DayQuil if you take any of the following medications:
What Is Ibuprofen?
Iburprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID. In addition to relieving headaches and other types of pain, NSAIDs temporarily reduce fever. The drug works by blocking an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX for short) from producing prostaglandins, which are hormones involved in inflammation, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen provide pain relief, while prescription-strength versions also help fight inflammation caused by diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
"It can be used alone to help control many types of pain as well as in combination with other products to help control symptoms of the flu or a cold," says Dr. Platz, who warns that ibuprofen can interact with many drugs. "It is important to let your doctor and pharmacist know if you have been taking ibuprofen."
Drugs That Interact With Ibuprofen
Ask your doctor before taking ibuprofen if you take any of the following, as there can be adverse reactions when the two medications mix:
Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, like Coumadin and Jantoven (both are warfarin)
Aspirin
Other NSAIDs, such as Aleve (naproxen)
Oral steroids, such as Rayos (prednisone) and Medrol (methylprednisone)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Celexa (citalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Paxil (paroxetine)
Selective Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor XR (venlafaxine)
Ibuprofen and Your Kidneys
Ibuprofen may raise your risk of kidney failure. That risk may be even higher for people who have kidney dysfunction; this population is discouraged from taking ibuprofen. Avoid ibuprofen if you have kidney disease. Tell your doctor about any family history of kidney disease or kidney failure before starting ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen and Your Digestive System
Ibuprofen blocks a COX enzyme that protects the lining of your stomach. That makes you more likely to develop the following:
Stomach pain
Heartburn
Diarrhea
Nausea
Ulcers
Bleeding
Can I Take DayQuil and Ibuprofen at the Same Time?
Because the active ingredients for pain (acetaminophen and ibuprofen itself) have different mechanisms of action, these two OTC meds are safe to take at the same time to reduce your cold or flu symptoms. "However," Dr. Platz says, "you may want to spread out taking the medications to see better benefit."
It doesn't matter which you take first, DayQuil or ibuprofen, but after you take one, wait until the middle of the four-hour dose before taking the other medication. And if you only want to take one of them, choose DayQuil. "DayQuil will most likely be more effective at relieving more symptoms of the common cold than ibuprofen alone due to it being a combination product that works on multiple symptoms," says Dr. Platz.
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