What you can take with NyQuil: the rules
- No second acetaminophen. That rules out Tylenol, Excedrin and most cold powders.
- No second cough suppressant. That rules out Robitussin DM, Delsym and Mucinex DM.
- No second sleepy antihistamine. That rules out Benadryl, ZzzQuil and Unisom.
- NSAIDs are fine. Ibuprofen or naproxen, one at a time.
- No alcohol. It adds to the drowsiness and liver strain.
How to check any medicine against NyQuil
On a prescription?
Text Pymander before you mix NyQuil with it. Free, any time.
What pain reliever can you take with NyQuil?
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). They're NSAIDs, a different kind of pain reliever from the acetaminophen already in NyQuil. Pick one, not both. More in NyQuil and ibuprofen at the same time.
Common medicines with NyQuil
Medicine by medicine
For standard NyQuil Cold & Flu. Check the label on NyQuil Severe or HBP.
| Medicine | With NyQuil? |
|---|---|
| Advil, Motrin (ibuprofen) | Usually OK |
| Aleve (naproxen) | Usually OK |
| Plain Mucinex | Usually OK |
| Tylenol (acetaminophen) | Don’t mix |
| Excedrin | Don’t mix |
| Neocitran, Theraflu | Don’t mix |
| Robitussin DM, Delsym, Mucinex DM | Don’t mix |
| Benadryl, ZzzQuil, Unisom | Don’t mix |
| DayQuil | Not together |
| Midol | Depends |
| Promethazine, brompheniramine | Ask first |
| Antidepressants, sleep pills | Ask first |
Don’t see your medicine here?
Text Pymander the name and we’ll tell you if it mixes with NyQuil.
NyQuil with prescription medicines
- MAOI antidepressants: don't take NyQuil with an MAOI or within 2 weeks of stopping one.
- SSRIs and migraine medicines: the cough suppressant can add to serotonin effects.
- Sleep pills, opioids, anxiety medicines: too much drowsiness and slower breathing.
- Blood thinners like warfarin: regular acetaminophen can affect them.
When to get help
- You took two products with the same ingredient
- You’re much sleepier than usual after NyQuil
- You’re unsure about a prescription you take every day
Common questions
What can you take with NyQuil?
Ibuprofen, naproxen and plain Mucinex are usually fine. Skip anything with acetaminophen, a cough suppressant or a sleepy antihistamine.
Can you take NyQuil and Tylenol together?
No. NyQuil already contains acetaminophen.
Can you take NyQuil and cough syrup together?
Usually not. Most cough syrups have the same cough suppressant as NyQuil.
Can you take ZzzQuil and NyQuil together?
No. Both have a sleepy antihistamine.
Can I take NyQuil with Mucinex DM?
Not together. Plain Mucinex is fine.
Can you take Excedrin and NyQuil?
No. Excedrin contains acetaminophen.
Can you take NyQuil and Neocitran at the same time?
No. Neocitran has acetaminophen and an antihistamine.
Does NyQuil interact with antidepressants?
It can. Never with an MAOI. With SSRIs, ask a pharmacist first.