Why is Nyquil bad?

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Why is Nyquil bad?

Nyquil is a popular brand of an over the counter medicine usually taken to relieve common cold symptoms. It is considered safe as long as taken in moderation and based on doctor’s prescription. However, just like any other stuff, Nyquil can be bad especially to one’s health if taken too much and it is due to its active ingredients which are acetaminophen (325mg/15mL), dextromethorphan (15mg/15mL), doxylamine succinate (6.25 mg/15mL), and pseudoephedrine (30mg/15mL) which is found only in Nyquil D and is no longer produced since September 2010.

Nyquil is recommended to be taken at night primarily because of its components that generally consists of sedating antihistamines, alcohol, and/or hypnotic drugs. Its corresponding medicine is called Dayquil which intends to prevent drowsiness and does not include sedating antihistamines as an ingredient.

Nyquil overdose can be best understood by discussing the various effects of its active ingredients which are as follows:

Acetaminophen ‒ also known as paracetamol, it is basically a harmless analgesic drug and antipyretic. But if taken in excess, this can cause acute liver failure which can also lead to death if not treated immediately.

Dextromethorphan ‒ is an antitussive drug which can also be seen in many other over-the-counter cough medicines like Robitussin, Dimetapp, Vicks, and much more. This drug has many side effects which includes nausea, drowsiness, sweating, blurred vision, dilated pupils, vomiting, hypertension, urinary retention, hallucinations, disassociation, bruxia, difficulty in breathing, gastrointestinal disturbances, and psychological dependence among others.

Doxylamine succinate ‒ is a sedating antihistamine which can cause dilated pupils, dry mouth, euphoria, hallucinations, insomnia, night terrors, rhabdomyolysis (a rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle caused by an injury to muscle tissue), seizures, and worst is death if consumed more than its recommended dosage.

Pseudoephedrine ‒ acts as a nasal decongestant. Its adverse effects are anxiety, dizziness, excitability, nervousness, sleepiness, and may cause episodes of paranoid psychosis.

Author: khristine

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