DayQuil is a medicine that has acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine all in one pill. It is used to treat cold and flu symptoms like sore throat, fever, cough, congestion, and aches. Since it’s not likely to make you sleepy, it’s a good choice for daytime use. DayQuil Cold & Flu may work for you if you want a product that treats both cold and flu symptoms and won’t put you to sleep. So, how long does it take for Dayquil to work? Now if you are wondering if can you take DayQuil on an empty stomach and what must be the DayQuil dosage for adults, you can follow the article through and have the answers.
1. Can You Take Dayquil on an Empty Stomach?
Use the liquid form of DayQuil (acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and pseudoephedrine) as your doctor tells you. Yes, you can take DayQuil on an empty stomach or if it makes your stomach sick, take it with food. Do you know How Acidic Is Stomach Acid?
2. What is the Required Dayquil Dosage for Adults?
DayQuil comes in liquid-filled capsules called LiquiCaps. You can also drink a liquid form of it. So, how can you take DayQuil on an empty stomach? In the table below, you can see how much of each form you should take for each age group. Ask your doctor about the right dose for kids aged 4 to 5, and don’t give DayQuil to kids younger than 4 years old.
Recommended dosage | Liquid |
Adults and children 12 years and older | As needed, 30 mL every 4 hours, but no more than 4 doses in 24 hours |
Children ages 6-11 years | 15 mL every 4 hours as needed, no more than four doses in 24 hours |
Children ages 4-5 years | Ask your doctor |
Children younger than 4 years | Do not take |
3. How Long does it Take for Dayquil to Work?
This depends on a lot of different things, but DayQuil usually starts to work after 30 minutes. Must read How Long does Gas-X Take to Work?
4. What are Dayquil Side Effects?
Common DayQuil side effects are:
DayQuil can be bought without a prescription and is usually well tolerated, but it can still cause side effects. Most people can take DayQuil without many side effects, but here are some that could happen, especially at higher doses-
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Feeling nervous
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Upset stomach
Worst side effects of DayQuil are:
Even though they are rare, some people who take DayQuil can also have serious side effects. If you notice any of these side effects, you should see a doctor right away. If you take too much acetaminophen, it can hurt your liver. This can sometimes cause damage to the liver. Some signs of a liver that has been hurt are-
- Less hunger than usual
- Dark urine fatigue
- If your stomach is upset or hurting,
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow.
5. Dayquil Dosage How often should One take?
Besides wondering whether can you take DayQuil on an empty stomach, note that you can take this medicine orally, with or without food, usually, every 4 to 6 hours or as your doctor tells you to. If your doctor doesn’t tell you otherwise, drink a lot of fluids while taking this medicine. Do you know Why Does Zoloft Cause Weight Gain?
6. What is the Difference between DayQuil/NyQuil?
NyQuil and DayQuil are both over-the-counter medicines that can be used to treat the common cold. Their comparison is given below:
NYQUIL | DAYQUIL |
NyQuil has antihistamine for the nose. | DayQuil has a decongestant for the nose |
It has acetaminophen a medicine to stop a cough. | It has acetaminophen a medicine to stop a cough. |
NyQuil can help with mild pains or aches, fever, cough, and, of course, colds. | DayQuil can help with mild pains or aches, fever, cough, and, of course, colds. |
NyQuil can make you sleepy. | DayQuil can stop your nose from running or you’re sneezing. |
Women who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding should talk to a doctor before taking NyQuil. | Women who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding should talk to a doctor before taking DayQuil. |
Both NyQuil and DayQuil might hurt the liver in the long run. It should not be taken with warfarin. Stop taking NyQuil and DayQuil if you start to swell up and get red. Also, if your cough and fever last for 3 days or more, stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor. Whenever you have new symptoms or problems, you should see a doctor because these can be signs of life-threatening conditions.
7. How much Dayquil and Nyquil can I Take in a Day?
As the directions say, you should take them at least 4 to 6 hours apart. If you take both NyQuil and DayQuil on the same day, you shouldn’t take more than 4 doses of each in 24 hours. If you need help choosing between DayQuil and NyQuil, talk to your pharmacist. (Also read How Do We Get Sick?)
8. What is Dayquil Dosage for Adults Pills?
How can you take DayQuil on an empty stomach? Adults should take two capsules every four hours, with a maximum of six doses per day.
9. How many Days can You Take DayQuil?
DayQuil isn’t meant to be taken for a long time. If you have a cold or the flu, you should only take DayQuil when you need it and for the shortest time possible. If you have a sore throat that lasts longer than 2 days, a cough that lasts longer than 7 days, or a fever that lasts longer than 3 days, you should see a doctor. (See How Long does a Bottle of Liquid Chlorophyll last?)
10. How much DayQuil Liquicaps Dosage by Weight should one Consume?
Recommended dosage | LiquiCaps |
Adults and kids over 12 | take two capsules every four hours as needed, but no more than four doses in a 24-hour period. |
Children ages 6-11 years | Ask your doctor |
Children ages 4-5 years | Ask your doctor |
Children younger than 4 years | Do not use |
11. How Long does DayQuil Last?
After taking Nyquil, your symptoms will feel better for about 6 hours. If you want to keep feeling better, you will need to take Nyquil every 6 hours. Some kinds of Nyquil have an ingredient called doxylamine that can make you sleepy or dizzy for a longer time, sometimes up to 8 hours. (See Marijuana: 8 Reasons Why was it made illegal in the first place)
12. Can You Take Nyquil on an Empty Stomach?
You can take this drug orally with or without food, or as your doctor tells you. If this medicine makes your stomach upset, taking it with food or milk might help. If your doctor doesn’t tell you otherwise, drink a lot of fluids while taking this medicine.
13. How to Take DayQuil Liquicaps?
So, can you take DayQuil on an empty stomach? Yes, you can. You can take this medicine orally with or without food, usually, every 4 to 6 hours or as your doctor tells you to. If your doctor doesn’t tell you otherwise, drink a lot of fluids while taking this medicine. The liquid will help get the mucus in your lungs to move around. (See How to Make Hydroxyquinoline at Home?)
14. Can You Take DayQuil at Night?
Some DayQuil and NyQuil products are sold together to make it easier for people to buy them. Apart from discussing whether can you take Dayquil on an empty stomach or not, you must know that the DayQuil product doesn’t make you sleepy, so it can be used during the day to relieve symptoms. The NyQuil products, which do make you sleepy, can be used at night to relieve symptoms and help you sleep. You can take DayQuil at night but it is advisable to take Nyquil at night as it will help you sleep peacefully.
15. Can DayQuil make You Sleepy?
Yes, it can. While explaining how can you take Dayquil on an empty stomach, additionally you must note that some of the most common side effects of DayQuil are dizziness and feeling sleepy. (Also read What is NKDA Allergy?)