Dayquil Cold & Flu

DayQuil Cold & Flu is an over the counter medication used to treat the symptoms associated with a cold or the flu, including nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, headache, fever, and minor aches and pains.

It is a single product containing 3 ingredients: acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine. Acetaminophen belongs to a group of drugs called analgesics, which is thought to work by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. Dextromethorphan belongs to a group of drugs called antitussives, which work by blocking cough signals and reducing the urge to cough. Phenylephrine belongs to a group of drugs called nasal decongestants. Nasal decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels and reducing the swelling inside your nasal passage, which allow you to breathe easier. 

DayQuil Cold & Flu comes in a oral (by mouth) liquid and a capsule form, and is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours with or without food. 

Common side effects of DayQuil Cold & Flu include fast heartbeat and shakiness/tremors. DayQuil Cold & Flu can also cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

DayQuil Cold & Flu is an over-the-counter medication used to temporarily relieve common cold and flu symptoms such as:

• Nasal congestion
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Minor aches and pains
• Fever

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

The recommended dose of DayQuil Cold & Flu liquid is:

• Adults and children 12 years and over: 30 mL (2 TBSP) every 4 hours
• Children 6 to under 12 years: 15 mL (1 TBSP) every 4 hours
• Ask a doctor before using in children 4 to 6 years of age
• Do not use in children under 4

The recommended dose of DayQuil Cold & Flu liquid capsules is:

• Adults and children 12 years and over: 2 liquid caps with water every 4 hours
• Ask a doctor before using in children 4 to 12 years of age
• Do not use in children under 4

Do not take DayQuil Cold & Flu if you

• are taking any other drugs containing acetaminophen (prescription or over-the-counter)
• are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar), isocarboxazid (Marplan), and rasagiline (Azilect)
• are allergic to acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, or phenylephrine
• have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day

Serious side effects have been reported with aDayQuil Cold & Flu. See the "DayQuil Cold & Flu Precautions" section.

Common side effects of include the following:

• nasuea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• nervousness
• irritability

This is not a complete list of DayQuil Cold & Flu side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar), isocarboxazid (Marplan), and rasagiline (Azilect)
• any other drug containing acetaminophen (prescription or over-the-counter)
• the blood thinner medication, warfarin

This is not a complete list of DayQuil Cold & Flu drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Ask a health care professional before using DayQuil Cold & Flu if you are pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Ask a health care professional before using DayQuil Cold & Flu if you are breastfeeding.