NyQuil 472445 212055131 2008-05-13T06:48:41Z 98.227.189.232 /* Reformulation */ [[Image:DSC00135.JPG|thumbnail|250px|NyQuil LiquiCaps]] '''NyQuil''', produced by the [[Vicks]] company, is the brand name of a family of cold [[medication|medicine]] designed to help relieve many symptoms of the [[common cold]]. Because all of the medications within the NyQuil imprint contain [[antihistamines|sedating antihistamines]] and/or [[hypnotics]], they are typically taken at night, just before bedtime. Its daytime counterpart is [[DayQuil]], which does not contain sedating antihistamines and is not intended to induce drowsiness. NyQuil comes in both liquid form and packaged in capsules (LiquiCaps). The liquid form was introduced in the fall of 1968 (with numerous [[magazine]] ads and [[television commercial]]s), while the capsules were introduced in the late 1980s. ==Products== ===NyQuil Cold/Flu Multisymptom Relief=== NyQuil Cold/Flu Multisymptom Relief is available in both syrup and LiquiCap form. It previously contained [[pseudoephedrine]], a decongestant [[#Reformulation|below]]. The liquid version of NyQuil Cold/Flu Multi-symptom Relief has the following active ingredients (15mL is one tablespoon, which is half the recommended adult dose): * [[Acetaminophen]] (500 mg/15mL) (pain reliever/fever reducer) * [[Dextromethorphan]] (15 mg/15mL) (cough suppressant) * [[Doxylamine succinate]] (6.25 mg/15mL) (antihistamine/hypnotic) The pill (Liquicap) version has less Acetaminophen per dose. The following is the active ingredients for one pill, which is half the recommended adult dose: * [[Acetaminophen]] (325 mg/pill) (pain reliever/fever reducer) * [[Dextromethorphan]] (15 mg/pill) (cough suppressant) * [[Doxylamine succinate]] (6.25 mg/pill) (antihistamine/hypnotic) ===NyQuil D=== NyQuil D is available in syrup form only. It contains [[pseudoephedrine]], a decongestant, and is available behind the pharmacy counter. NyQuil D has the following active ingredients (15mL is one tablespoon, which is half the recommended adult dose): * [[Acetaminophen]] (500 mg/15mL) (pain reliever/fever reducer) * [[Dextromethorphan]] (15 mg/15mL) (cough suppressant) * [[Doxylamine succinate]] (6.25 mg/15mL) (antihistamine/hypnotic) * [[Pseudoephedrine]] (30 mg/16mL) (nasal decongestant) ===NyQuil Cough=== Nyquil Cough's active ingredients are: * [[Dextromethorphan]] (cough suppressant) * [[Doxylamine succinate]] (antihistamine/hypnotic) NyQuil Cough is available in syrup form only to help prevent abuse of both the [[hypnotic]] (from [[Doxylamine succinate]]) and [[dissociative]] (from [[Dextromethorphan]]) features of the syrup. ===NyQuil Sinus=== Nyquil Sinus' active ingredients are: * [[Acetaminophen]] (pain reliever/fever reducer) * [[Doxylamine succinate]] (antihistamine/hypnotic) * [[Phenylephrine]] (nasal decongestant) Nyquil Sinus is available as LiquiCaps only. ====Reformulation==== Previously, NyQuil Cold/Flu Multisymptom Relief and NyQuil Sinus contained [[pseudoephedrine]] (30 mg/15mL), another nasal decongestant that also formed the active ingredient in [[Sudafed]]. Following the passage of the [[Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005|Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act]] in 2006, all pseudoephedrine-containing medications must be kept behind a pharmacy counter and all purchases must be logged. Vicks chose to keep its products more easily accessible by reformulating NyQuil Sinus, replacing [[pseudoephedrine]] with [[phenylephrine]]. Many people were outraged by this change and chose to boycott the product, because some experts believe that phenylephrine is no more effective than a placebo. Due to the protest, however, Vicks chose to revert to the original formula. <ref>[http://news.ufl.edu/2006/07/19/decongensant/ UF press release on the Hendles letter]</ref> Production difficulties related to the reformulation caused occasional supply shortages in some parts of the U.S. in 2006.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} For those who want to have the same active ingredients as the older version of NyQuil Cold/Flu, they can take NyQuil D. In 2007, Vicks launched NyQuil D Cold/Flu Multisymptom Relief, which contains the same active ingredients as NyQuil, plus pseudoephedrine (PSE). It is available without a prescription and is sold behind the pharmacy counter ===NyQuil Children's=== [[Image:Cnyquil.jpg|thumb|100px|Children's NyQuil is artificially flavored for easier consumption by children and without alcohol]] NyQuil Children's active ingredients are: * [[Chlorpheniramine]] (antihistamine) * [[Dextromethorphan]] (cough suppressant) NyQuil Children's is unique among the NyQuil line in that it contains no alcohol. It is available in the syrup form only. ==Warnings== NyQuil should not be taken with medications that contain other antihistamines or cough suppressants. People who have other diseases, such as [[diabetes mellitus]], [[glaucoma]], [[asthma]], chronic [[cough]], excess mucus production, enlarged [[prostate]], [[high blood pressure]], or women who are [[nursing]] or [[pregnant]], or may become pregnant. Some should consult a physician or pharmacist to ensure that NyQuil will not interact negatively with their disease states. Additionally, concurrent use of NyQuil with [[monoamine oxidase inhibitors]] (MAOIs) or other drugs containing [[acetaminophen]] is contraindicated. Another concern with Nyquil of any formulation is that it contains acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol). It is essential to avoid excessive amounts of acetaminophen as this may cause damage to the liver. This risk is additive when separate co-ingestion of acetaminophen is used. The normal maximum for acetaminophen per day is 65 mg/kg/24hrs or 4g/day, whichever is less. Certain patients such as those on medications processed by the liver or diseases of the liver (eg Hepatitis A,B,C) should consult their physician. ==Notes== <references /> ==External links== * [http://www.vicks.com Vicks.com] * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx9Fa6bxcj4 Rainn Wilson and Chris Hardwick on Wired Science's segment "What's Inside"] [[Category:Antihistamines]] [[Category:Vicks brands]]