Common cold can make bedtime quite annoying. It makes your nose stuffy, gives you a headache, and eventually makes it impossible for you to sleep. In such situations, you might have the urge to pop in an over-the-counter cold medication such as NyQuil to alleviate the irritation and sleep better. But can you use NyQuil when you are breastfeeding? Is it safe for the baby? MomJunction answers these questions about NyQuil while breastfeeding and if the medicine has any effect on the baby.
What Is NyQuil?
NyQuil is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that provides relief from the symptoms of cold and flu such as a sore throat, sneezing, cough, minor body aches, headache, fever, and runny nose. There are several variants of NyQuil available as syrup or liquid-filled capsules.
What Are The Ingredients Of NyQuil?
NyQuil contains a pain and fever reliever, a cough suppressant, and antihistamine. A few variants have added nasal decongestant or may consist of only a cough suppressant and antihistamine. Of the many variants of this medicine, DayQuil is for daytime usage and ZZZQuil is a non-habit forming medicine used to facilitate sleeping at night. The variant that is commonly used for nighttime relief from cold symptoms is NyQuil Cold & Flu, which is the original version of the medicine. There is also a sub-variant called NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu. The following table contains information about the various active ingredients found in the medicine (1) (2) (3): Note: The manufacturer-recommended dosage of NyQuil Cold & Flu is 30ml in six hours, and NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu is 30ml in four hours. If you have the NyQuil Cold & Flu capsule version, then the recommended dosage is two capsules every six hours. You should not have more than four doses of NyQuil in 24 hours. Besides alcohol, NyQuil has several other inactive ingredients that do not have a remarkable effect on you. Having alcohol during lactation is never a good thing even if it is in small quantities. Alcohol and other active ingredients make breastfeeding mothers worry about the safety of NyQuil during lactation.
Is It Safe To Have NyQuil While Breastfeeding?
The safety of NyQuil while breastfeeding depends on how safe is each active ingredient: Alcohol can cross the blood-milk barrier and from there enter the infant’s body. Medical experts state that less than two percent of alcohol consumed by the mother reaches her breast milk (11). The quantity of alcohol in a dose of NyQuil is too little to pass through the breast milk and cause any problems to the baby. Moreover, an alcohol-free version of NyQuil liquid is available, and the capsule versions do not contain alcohol at all. In any case, it is best to consult a doctor before you use NyQuil. Even if you get the green signal to have NyQuil, you must be watchful of the probable side effects of the medicine on the baby.
Can NyQuil Have Side Effects In Babies?
There are no documented side effects of maternal NyQuil usage on a breastfeeding infant. However, watch out for the potential side effects that the baby may show.
Some babies may develop a rash as a side effect to acetaminophen. This is mostly not dangerous. Excessive drowsiness and lethargy to the point that the baby seems sedated. An abrupt change in feeding and sleeping patterns. The baby does not seem to get enough breast milk per feed. Chronic colic due to no discernible reason. Constant irritability and lack of interest in playing, and other activities.
If you notice any of these problems, then stop NyQuil usage and consult the physician. There are some situations in which you must avoid the drug entirely.
When To Avoid NyQuil?
It is best to avoid NyQuil if: In such cases, you should contact your doctor for alternatives to treat the symptoms of a common cold.
What Are The Alternatives To NyQuil?
When you cannot have NyQuil but need some relief from symptoms of cold, you can try the following.
