Can you overdose on NyQuil? Symptoms and Prevention

It is possible to overdose on NyQuil. It is a combination medication, and each of its active medications has a possibility of overdose. A NyQuil overdose may occur by taking too much medication, either with too high of a dosage or taking it too frequently. Symptoms of an overdose can be mild (nausea, constipation, vomiting) to more life-threatening (heart arrhythmias, seizures, coma). To prevent a NyQuil overdose, it should only be taken as directed, and it should be stored out of reach of children and those who might misuse it.

What is NyQuil Made From?

NyQuil is a combination medicine for symptoms of the common cold and the flu, including fever, headache, body aches, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and sore throat. [1]  The three main medications in NyQuil are: [2]

• Acetaminophen is an analgesic. It helps relieve aches and pains that often accompany a cold or flu. It is also a fever reducer.
• Dextromethorphan is an antitussive or cough suppressant. Antitussive drugs help relieve coughing. Dextromethorphan acts directly on the cough reflex in the brain, which triggers coughing.
• Doxylamine is an antihistamine that relieves and prevents the effects of the body’s natural chemical histamine. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Doxylamine is used in NyQuil to help relieve cold symptoms of sneezing and runny nose.

Side Effects of NyQuil

Common side effects of NyQuil may include: [3]

• Headache
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Dry eyes, blurred vision
• Dry mouth or nose
• Mild dizziness or drowsiness
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling restless or excited
• Mild skin rash.

If you experience serious side effects, discontinue taking NyQuil immediately and call your healthcare provider. Serious side effects of NyQuil may include: [4]

• Severe headache,
• Seizure or convulsions
• Fast or irregular heartbeats
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Severe dizziness
• Extreme drowsiness
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Tremors or restless muscle movements
• Little or no urinating or very dark urine
• Flu symptoms
• Easy bruising or unusual bleeding
• Weakness
• Feeling light-headed
• Nausea
• Pain in your upper stomach pain
• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Clay-colored stools
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or very pale skin

Overdose on NyQuil

Nyquil is a safe medication for treating cold and flu symptoms. However, because it contains a combination of three different drugs, taking more than the recommended amount or taking other medications that contain the same or similar drugs could result in exceeding the recommended daily dose for any one drug. This can be by accident or on purpose.

Dextromethorphan

Dextromethorphan is a medicine that helps stop coughing. It is an opioid substance. Dextromethorphan overdose can happen when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine.

Symptoms of a dextromethorphan overdose include: [5]

• Breathing problems:  slow and labored breathing, shallow breathing, and no breathing
• Bluish-colored fingernails and lips
• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Hallucinations
• Slow, unsteady walking
• High blood pressure or low blood pressure
• Muscle twitches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pounding heartbeat and rapid heartbeat
• Raised body temperature
• Spasms of the stomach and intestines
• Seizures
• Coma

Doxylamine

Doxylamine is an antihistamine that helps block histamines in the body and prevent symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes—taking more than the recommended amount can result in a doxylamine overdose.

Doxylamine Overdose symptoms include [6]

• Anhidrosis – Sweat glands are not making sweat
• Hyperthermia – Overheating or high body temperature
• Reddening of the skin
• Enlarged, dilated pupils
• Hallucinations
• Urinary retention
• Delirium
• Respiratory failure
• Heart arrhythmias
• Seizures
• Coma

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common poisonings. People often think that this medicine is very safe. However, it can be deadly if taken in large doses. Symptoms of an acetaminophen overdose can occur up to 12 hours after it was taken. With rapid treatment, within eight hours, the recovery outlook is positive. Without rapid medical attention, liver failure and death can occur in a few days.

Acetometaphen overdose symptoms include [7]

• Abdominal pain, upset stomach
• Appetite loss
• Diarrhea
• Irritability
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Nausea, vomiting
• Sweating
• Seizures
• Coma

What To Do In Case of A Nyquil Overdose

A NyQuil overdose can be serious, and medical attention should be sought immediately. For questions regarding a possible overdose, you may wish to call the poison control center. Trained experts in poisoning staff this hotline, and they can give you instructions on the next steps. If the person is already experiencing symptoms of an overdose, call 911 for emergency medical treatment.

Information to Gather

The poison control or emergency department will find the following information beneficial in providing rapid care [8]

• The Person’s age, weight, and current physical condition in response to the overdose
• The name of the product they ingested, along with the dosage strength
• The time it was ingested
• The amount that was ingested
• If the person who is experiencing the overdose is on any other drugs, both legal and illicit.

Medical Treatment for a NyQuil Overdose

If you or a loved one presents to the emergency department for a NyQuil overdose, the medical team will monitor the person’s vital signs (temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure). They will complete blood and urine tests and possibly an electrocardiogram.

Depending on the severity of the overdose, other drugs the person has taken, and the physical symptoms they are experiencing, NyQuil overdose treatment may include: [9]

• IV Fluids
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• Medicine to reverse the effect of the narcotic in the medicine (effects may include changes in mental state and behavior)
• Breathing support, including a tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a ventilator

Preventing a NyQuil Overdose

To prevent a NyQuil overdose, take it only as directed. For example, the directions for NyQuil Cold and Flu are to take 30mL every six hours and not to exceed four doses in 24 hours.[10] These directions are for adults and children over the age of 12.  If symptoms have not improved after seven days, discontinue use and contact your doctor.

Due to its risk of abuse and overdose, NyQuil should be stored in a location where those who may be at risk for misuse can not access it. This will also eliminate the possibility of accidentally overdosing, such as with young children who may drink it, not knowing the risks and consequences.

NyQuil Overdose Is Serious

NyQuil is a commonly used and safe medication if it is taken as directed. However, many people, especially teenagers, take it in very high amounts to achieve a euphoric feeling or high and to have hallucinations. This can have serious consequences, resulting in dangerous and possibly life-threatening overdose symptoms. While many people who abuse NyQuil require no overdose treatment, those who do require medical attention for an overdose must receive it quickly for their survival.