What is the difference between nighttime and daytime cold medicine

Avoid taking any product containing dextromethorphan with grapefruit juice, which can increase concentrations of the drug in the bloodstream and make side effects worse. The only difference is the drug manufacturer and product name; many people turn to Tylenol because of brand awareness, as it was the original OTC brand name for acetaminophen in the United States. Tylenol Cold Max Night is not intended for daytime use as it can cause drowsiness.

Like NyQuil, it is taken as a syrup in ml doses and carries the same restrictions in children. Unlike naproxen, ibuprofen, or aspirin, acetaminophen is not an NSAID and is not associated with the risk of gastric bleeding. However, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation are not uncommon. Overuse of any drug containing acetaminophen can cause liver damage.

The risk is further amplified if alcohol is consumed. Alka-Seltzer is an effervescent OTC drug commonly used to treat heartburn, indigestion, and stomach upset. The brand also has a multi-symptom cold and flu remedy that contains a different mix of drugs. The four active ingredients are acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine.

This places it in line with the per-pill dose of Tylenol Extra Strength , commonly used to treat arthritis pain. It is intended for use in adults and children over It should never be used in children under Alka-Seltzer effervescent products are ideal for people who don't like pills or syrups.

While some drugs are known to be delivered faster and act quicker using effervescent agents, there is no evidence Alka-Seltzer's effervescence makes it any more or less effective than other OTC cold and flu remedies. Medications containing pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, or dextromethorphan should not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOI antidepressants. MAOIs can amplify the side effects of antihistamines or lead to a rare but serious reaction called serotonin syndrome when taken with dextromethorphan.

Many people turn to Theraflu products because they feel comforting and soothing. As opposed to syrups and pills that are clearly medicinal, Theraflu products are mixed with warm water and sipped like tea. It contains among the highest dose of acetaminophen compared to other OTC remedies milligrams. Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold and Cough can be used in adults and children over Avoid use in younger children.

It can be taken every four hours, with a daily limit of no more than five packets every 24 hours. Simply mix it with eight ounces of warm water, let it dissolve, and sip. There is also a daytime formula, called Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold and Cough, which contains half the dose of dextromethorphan.

While uncommon, allergies to acetaminophen have been known to occur, including potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. These are only a few of the multi-symptom cold and flu products found on drugstore and grocery store shelves. To compete with well-known brands, many retailers have created their own versions of these products with the same ingredients and typically cheaper prices. While these generally work no better or worse than the brand name options, always compare labels to ensure that all of the ingredients are, in fact, the same.

Looking to avoid getting the flu? Depending on these drugs long-term can disrupt your sleep and cause other health problems: avoid them if you take medication to regulate your blood pressure, and stay away from alcohol. AM or Daytime: These can simply be the same brand of medicine as the version designed for nighttime use, only without ingredients that make you sleepy.

Or they could actually include caffeine. Excedrin Extra Strength and Excedrin Migraine have identical amounts of active ingredients, but the dosing information especially the maximum number of pills differs. None of these ingredients has sleep-inducing properties. Examples include phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine.

These typically do not cause drowsiness and can make some people feel hyper or more alert. Some cold medicines, especially those labeled for both allergies and colds, may have an antihistamine in them to help with a runny nose and postnasal drip. Antihistamines are known to cause drowsiness in some people.

The generic drug dextromethorphan is the common cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cough medicines including:. Quieting a cough may not be your best option during the day, however. Coughing works to clear mucous from the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia or other lung infections if not moved out.

Taking an expectorant during the day can help loosen chest congestion and thin mucous, allowing it to drain. This medication will not stop your cough, but it will make it easier to cough up phlegm and clear the lungs. Guaifenesin is the only expectorant approved by the U. It's available as a generic drug and in multiple brand-name products, including:. Over-the-counter cold medicine is not recommended for children under the age of 4.

For nasal symptoms including a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing, many people turn to antihistamines. Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergic rhinitis. They work by blocking the receptor for histamine, a chemical released in response to an allergen. Antihistamines work well to relieve congestion related to an allergic response, but their effect on the common cold is questionable. A Cochrane review of 18 randomized controlled trials with more than 4, subjects found that antihistamines may help relieve congestion better than a placebo in the first two days of a cold, but not on day three or later.

Some antihistamines have side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, irritability, and constipation. People with glaucoma, enlarged prostate, epilepsy, overactive thyroid, heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes should talk to their healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking antihistamines. These are often helpful when you have a cold or flu because they treat many different symptoms in one dose. Multi-drug medications should be used with caution, however.

Always read the ingredients list to ensure the formula only includes medications that treat the symptoms you have. Avoid taking additional medications at the same time to prevent accidental overdose and interactions. For example, if a medicine contains acetaminophen, do not also take Tylenol, Midol, or Excedrin, drugs that also contain acetaminophen. You also should not take a multi-symptom reliever that contains dextromethorphan or guaifenesin along with cough syrup, which also contains those ingredients.

Some turn to natural remedies to help with cold and flu symptoms as well. Know that some supplements can interact with other medications you may be on—including those sold over the counter. Speak to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before using an OTC cold or flu product alongside any supplement.

Looking to avoid getting the flu? Our free guide has everything you need to stay healthy this season. Sign up and get yours today. Safety and efficacy of over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for use in children. Expert Opin Drug Saf.

Treating acute sinusitis.