As the cold and flu season rolls around, it's time to stock up on tissues, cough drops, and of course - daytime and nighttime medication. But which one is actually better? Is it worth spending extra for the "nighttime" formula? In this article, we'll dive into the science behind DayQuil vs NyQuil to determine which one reigns supreme.
What Are DayQuil And NyQuil?
First things first - let's get an understanding of what these two drugs are all about. Both DayQuil and NyQuil are over-the-counter medications used to treat common cold and flu symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, sore throat, fever, nasal congestion (or just snot-filled misery).
The Ingredients
Dayquil contains:
- Acetaminophen - a pain reliever/fever reducer
- Dextromethorphan HBr - suppresses cough
- Phenylephrine HCI - a decongestant
Nyquil (for night) contains:
- Acetaminophen – pain reliever/fever reducer
- Dextromethorphan HBr – suppresses cough
- Doxylamine succinate- antihistamine that causes drowsiness
- Pseudoephedrine HCI – decongestant
So essentially there is only one difference between these popping pills at different times of day — doxylamine succinate, which brings us that sweet sleep-inducing bliss needed during bedtime).
Battle Of The Brands
It's not just about whether you should choose a daytime or nighttime medication though; both brands have been waging war against each other for years now in terms of effectiveness.
Vicks Vs Robitussin
Vicks is the brand name under Procter & Gamble while Robitussin is the brainchild of Pfizer. The two have been linked in numerous comparisons but when it comes to Dayquil and NyQuil - Vicks may be onto something (you know, aside from their iconic vapor rub).
Better Data On The Brand
According to a survey conducted by Nielsen on behalf of P&G in 2018, DayQuil was found more effective for treating coughs while NyQuil was better with reducing fever.
Those results are pretty much confirmed as well, according to an analysis done by Reviews.com where they compared ingredient amount per dose between both medications, finding that NyQuil has almost double the number of milligrams per dose at which point it makes sense that its effectiveness would be greater.
Side-Effects
Now we've got some science and stats out of the way; let's talk about what you can expect when taking these products. As with all medications - there is always a risk involved alongside any relief obtained.
What To Expect With Dayquil?
When taking daytime medication such as DayQuil- you can typically anticipate side effects such as nervousness (sorry) , dizziness or sleepiness (Although how one could deal with feeling tired yet nervous... beats me). It should also avoid being taken on an empty stomach since acetaminophen alone isn’t exactly friendly towards gut health — otherwise known as inflammation ala’ ulcers!
Pro tip: If your cold symptoms keep persisting over several days-and especially if high fever surfaces despite using acetaminophen regularly during each waking hour--- consult your doctor ASAP! You might need antibiotics because possibilities then do not rule out communicable disease; yes even Covid
What To Expect With Nyquil?
But so talking about nighttime medication like Nyquill will probably assist people into drifting off easily into slumberland due to its Doxylamine component( just don't forget shutting those peepers before doing so 😉). However, it can also induce a feeling of grogginess (All that dozing off coupled with mouth-breathing has to catch up at some point) which makes it far from ideal if you need to be well rested for work the following day. And since Doxylamine is an antihistamine ingredient, dry mouth and throat are common -- avoiding dehydrating substances like alcohol too during recovery.
Also bear mind alcohol intake as per Mayo Clinic. "Alcohol increases the risk of liver damage and may increase certain side effects of acetaminophen."
Final Thoughts
If one's budget allows or insurance covers some medication costs; then using both Dayquiland NyQuil when required would probably offer optimal relief/treatment results seeing its tailored components towards daytime/nights (similar to batman even changing suits depending on where needs his fancy superhero boots).
But if only wielding just one elixir because life happens; basically run through dosing intervals on meds/peep into instructions leaflets inside packaging whether strictly adhering- clinical exceptions aside-and consider consulting healthcare providers should complications arise beyond initial reliability expectations in alleviating flu-like symptoms.
At the end of the day, which medication will work better largely depends on your specific set of symptoms - so consult your doctor accordingly (they have all kindsa' degrees stuck onto their walls)) but hopefully this article has given you a good starting point for making an informed decision!