When you’re feeling under the weather because of a cold, you want your symptoms like stuffiness, coughing, and sneezing to go away. Sometimes, even your go-to home remedies don’t work. That’s when an over-the-counter product like NyQuil can be helpful. However, be cautious about using other cold symptom relief products with NyQuil. Mixing medications with NyQuil can lead to unwanted side effects, even if they are available without a prescription, like ibuprofen.
What’s the risk of using NyQuil and ibuprofen together, especially if you experience a headache or body aches along with your other symptoms? Although it might seem logical to think that ibuprofen offers a quick solution, it’s not necessary. According to the National Library of Medicine, NyQuil already contains acetaminophen, a painkiller. This means you could end up overdoing it — and perhaps experiencing unwanted side effects.
This doesn’t mean you have to stop using ibuprofen if you’re taking NyQuil. According to the Cleveland Clinic, you can alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen. However, they should not be taken simultaneously. Instead, allow a window of about four to six hours between doses to avoid complications.
Possible complications of taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen together
Taking acetaminophen-containing NyQuil and ibuprofen within the same dosing window might cause uncomfortable (though preventable) side effects such as gastrointestinal distress, topical reactions, ringing in the ears, and other unpleasant physical responses.
Additionally, mixing NyQuil and ibuprofen increases your risk of experiencing the most common side effects of each medication. Both medications share several potential side effects, including drowsiness, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea. Drugs.com notes that taking NyQuil and ibuprofen together may exacerbate symptoms like tiredness, confusion, and dizziness.
In other words, using double the painkillers doesn’t mean you’ll recover twice as fast. On the contrary, you might end up feeling worse due to your body’s reactions to either or both products. Not exactly what you want, especially when your goal is to return to good health.
Other drugs that may interact with NyQuil
Ibuprofen isn’t the only medication to be cautious about when using NyQuil. WebMD suggests avoiding several other drugs, too. These include MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors, opioid medications, and other prescribed and over-the-counter cold and flu medications. Otherwise, you could encounter even more side effects.
Apart from possible interactions with ibuprofen and the drugs listed above, be mindful of which NyQuil formula you choose. For instance, regular NyQuil might not be suitable if you have issues related to high blood pressure. According to Vicks, the maker of NyQuil, people with hypertension may want to avoid NyQuil products containing a decongestant. Consequently, if you’re managing blood pressure with medications or have been advised to monitor it, some NyQuil products may not be appropriate for you.
If you’re uncertain about NyQuil and other medications you’re taking (or considering), reach out to your healthcare provider for personalized advice. And if you’re unsure about NyQuil’s interactions with other drugs, you might want to reconsider its use, especially since recent evidence questions its efficacy. In 2023, a panel from the Food and Drug Administration reported that one of NyQuil’s primary and most advertised ingredients, the decongestant phenylephrine, is ineffective. Therefore, you may be better off choosing a different product to alleviate your symptoms.
