DayQuil
Encyclopedia
DayQuil is a medicine intended to relieve symptoms of the common cold
and flu. Made by Vicks
, it is available in syrup and capsule (LiquiCap) form. DayQuil's night time counterpart is NyQuil
, which contains sedative antihistamines. Because DayQuil lacks antihistamines, it does not cause drowsiness, and thus is suitable for use in the daytime. DayQuil was introduced in 1974 under the name "DayCare". The brand was reintroduced as "DayQuil" in 1992.
As with NyQuil, DayQuil no longer contains pseudoephedrine
in the United States. It has been replaced with phenylephrine
due to restrictions on pseudoephedrine sales. In other countries, such as Canada, DayQuil still contains pseudoephedrine.
and flu symptoms, including:
It should not be taken by people who consume an excessive amount of alcohol
, who are taking other medicines containing acetaminophen, or who are using a prescribed monoamine oxidase inhibitor
. Large amounts of caffeine
should also be avoided if taking this medicine.
Other formulations:
DayQuil Sinus (per LiquiCap):
DayQuil Cough (per 15 mL syrup):
DayQuil Mucus Control (per 15 mL syrup):
DayQuil Mucus Control DM (per 15 mL syrup):
Common cold
The common cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever...
and flu. Made by Vicks
Vicks
Vicks is a line of over-the-counter medications owned by the American company Procter & Gamble. Vicks manufactures NyQuil and its sister medication, DayQuil. The Vicks brand also produces Formula 44 cough medicines, cough drops, VapoRub, and a number of inhaled breathing treatments...
, it is available in syrup and capsule (LiquiCap) form. DayQuil's night time counterpart is NyQuil
NyQuil
NyQuil is a brand of over the counter medication which is intended to relieve various symptoms of the common cold. Because all of the medications within the NyQuil imprint contain sedating antihistamines, hypnotics, and/or alcohol, they are intended to be taken before sleep...
, which contains sedative antihistamines. Because DayQuil lacks antihistamines, it does not cause drowsiness, and thus is suitable for use in the daytime. DayQuil was introduced in 1974 under the name "DayCare". The brand was reintroduced as "DayQuil" in 1992.
As with NyQuil, DayQuil no longer contains pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes. It is used as a nasal/sinus decongestant and stimulant, or as a wakefulness-promoting agent....
in the United States. It has been replaced with phenylephrine
Phenylephrine
Phenylephrine is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil, and to increase blood pressure...
due to restrictions on pseudoephedrine sales. In other countries, such as Canada, DayQuil still contains pseudoephedrine.
Uses
DayQuil is intended for the temporary relief of coldCommon cold
The common cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever...
and flu symptoms, including:
- nasal congestionNasal congestionNasal congestion is the blockage of the nasal passages usually due to membranes lining the nose becoming swollen from inflamed blood vessels. It is also known as nasal blockage, nasal obstruction, blocked nose, stuffy nose, or stuffed up nose.Nasal congestion has many causes and can range from a...
- sore throatPharyngitisPharyngitis is an inflammation of the throat or pharynx. In most cases it is quite painful, and is the most common cause of a sore throat.Like many types of inflammation, pharyngitis can be acute – characterized by a rapid onset and typically a relatively short course – or chronic....
- headacheHeadacheA headache or cephalalgia is pain anywhere in the region of the head or neck. It can be a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and neck. The brain tissue itself is not sensitive to pain because it lacks pain receptors. Rather, the pain is caused by disturbance of the...
- cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation
- muscle pains
- feverFeverFever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
Ingredients
The active ingredients of DayQuil Cold & Flu Relief (per LiquiCap, or per 15 mL syrup):- Acetaminophen (325 mg) (pain reliever/fever reducer)
- DextromethorphanDextromethorphanDextromethorphan is an antitussive drug. It is one of the active ingredients in many over-the-counter cold and cough medicines, such as Robitussin, NyQuil, Dimetapp, Vicks, Coricidin, Delsym, and others, including generic labels. Dextromethorphan has also found other uses in medicine, ranging...
(10 mg) (cough suppressant) - PhenylephrinePhenylephrinePhenylephrine is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil, and to increase blood pressure...
(5 mg) (nasal decongestant)
It should not be taken by people who consume an excessive amount of alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
, who are taking other medicines containing acetaminophen, or who are using a prescribed monoamine oxidase inhibitor
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are a class of antidepressant drugs prescribed for the treatment of depression. They are particularly effective in treating atypical depression....
. Large amounts of caffeine
Caffeine
Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug. Caffeine is found in varying quantities in the seeds, leaves, and fruit of some plants, where it acts as a natural pesticide that paralyzes and kills certain insects feeding on the plants...
should also be avoided if taking this medicine.
Other formulations:
DayQuil Sinus (per LiquiCap):
- Acetaminophen (325 mg) (pain reliever/fever reducer)
- PhenylephrinePhenylephrinePhenylephrine is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil, and to increase blood pressure...
(5 mg) (nasal decongestant)
DayQuil Cough (per 15 mL syrup):
- DextromethorphanDextromethorphanDextromethorphan is an antitussive drug. It is one of the active ingredients in many over-the-counter cold and cough medicines, such as Robitussin, NyQuil, Dimetapp, Vicks, Coricidin, Delsym, and others, including generic labels. Dextromethorphan has also found other uses in medicine, ranging...
(15 mg) (cough suppressant) - PhenylephrinePhenylephrinePhenylephrine is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil, and to increase blood pressure...
(5 mg) (nasal decongestant)
DayQuil Mucus Control (per 15 mL syrup):
- GuaifenesinGuaifenesinGuaifenesin INN or guaiphenesin , also glyceryl guaiacolate, is an expectorant drug sold over the counter and usually taken by mouth to assist the bringing up of phlegm from the airways in acute respiratory tract infections.-History:Similar medicines derived from the guaiac tree were in use as a...
(200 mg) (expectorant)
DayQuil Mucus Control DM (per 15 mL syrup):
- DextromethorphanDextromethorphanDextromethorphan is an antitussive drug. It is one of the active ingredients in many over-the-counter cold and cough medicines, such as Robitussin, NyQuil, Dimetapp, Vicks, Coricidin, Delsym, and others, including generic labels. Dextromethorphan has also found other uses in medicine, ranging...
(10 mg) (cough suppressant) - GuaifenesinGuaifenesinGuaifenesin INN or guaiphenesin , also glyceryl guaiacolate, is an expectorant drug sold over the counter and usually taken by mouth to assist the bringing up of phlegm from the airways in acute respiratory tract infections.-History:Similar medicines derived from the guaiac tree were in use as a...
(200 mg) (expectorant)