Safe To Take Nyquil When Pregnant

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Cough, running nose, and minor body pains are some common symptoms of cold and flu. Though these are minor disturbances, they can cause significant discomfort during pregnancy as they keep you awake during the night.

There are several over-the-counter medications that provide relief and help you sleep better. One such medication is NyQuil which gives relief from sore throat, sneezing, fever, headache, minor pains and aches, cough and a runny nose.

But can you take it when you are pregnant? MomJunction tells you whether or not you can have NyQuil during pregnancy, and if it has any effects on the unborn baby.

Can You Take NyQuil During Pregnancy?

Some forms of NyQuil are safe to use while some are not. The alcohol content in NyQuil Liquid has about 10% alcohol, and it is not advisable to take; NyQuil LiquiCaps and Alcohol-free NyQuil Cold & Flu Nighttime Relief Liquid can be taken (1).

But before going for any over-the-counter medications, try some simple and safe measures at home for relief. If the cold does not subside within a week or if you are experiencing high fever or any such severe symptoms, then consult your doctor and take the prescribed medication.

[ Read: Cold During Pregnancy ]

NyQuil And Its Ingredients

NyQuil is available in three types – NyQuil Cold and Flu (2), NyQuil Severe Cold and Flu (3), and NyQuil Cough (4). Each of these contains a combination of active and inactive ingredients. The below table gives you the details of the ingredients in each type.

Ingredient Forms of NyQuil containing the ingredient Symptoms it could treat
Acetaminophen (5)
  • NyQuil Cold And Flu
  • NyQuil Severe Cold And Flu
 Sore throat, fever, headache, minor aches and pains
Dextromethorphan (6)
  • NyQuil Cold And Flu
  • NyQuil Severe Cold And Flu
  • NyQuil Cough
 Cough
Doxylamine (7)
  • NyQuil Cold And Flu
  • NyQuil Severe Cold And Flu
  • NyQuil Cough
 Sneezing and runny nose
Phenylephrine (8)
  • NyQuil Severe Cold And Flu
 Nasal congestion

Sinus pressure
Alcohol Liquid forms of:
  • NyQuil Cold And Flu
  • NyQuil Severe Cold And Flu
  • NyQuil Cough
 None

Avoid NyQuil Severe Cold And Flu, and the liquid forms containing alcohol during pregnancy.

In the next section, we tell you about the positive and negative effects of each ingredient on pregnancy.

Effects Of NyQuil Ingredients During Pregnancy

The ingredients of NyQuil might have varied effects on pregnant women and their babies. This table tells you how each ingredient works and the likely side-effects it could have during pregnancy.

Ingredient How it works in pregnancy Side effects
Acetaminophen
  • Relieves pain and fever
  • Safe for short-term use
  • Safe in all trimesters
 High dosages or continuous intake could increase the risk of liver damage, rashes, itching, hoarseness, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, eyes, hands and feet, and breathing difficulties (5).
Dextromethorphan Safe to use in all stages
  • Dizziness, nervousness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, restlessness, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.
  • Rashes in severe conditions.
Doxylamine
  • Safe to use in all stages
  • Used in combination with pyridoxine for nausea and vomiting
  • Drowsiness, dry mouth, throat and nose, chest congestion, headache, nausea, nervousness and excitement.
  • Blurry vision and trouble while urinating in severe cases (7).
Phenylephrine Risk of birth defects in the first trimester
  • Dizziness, nervousness and sleeplessness.
  • Increased blood pressure in severe cases (8).

What Are The Alternatives To NyQuil?

If you want to avoid NyQuil or any other cold and flu medications, you may try some simple measures at home:

  • Use a humidifier to reduce nasal congestion. You can fix it in your bedroom or living area where you spend most of your time.
  • Use extra pillows to prop up your head. It clears the congestion in nasal passages and makes breathing easy.
  • Blow your nose gently by closing one nostril with your finger, and clearing the other. It prevents mucus accumulation in the nasal passages.
  • Rinse stuffy nose by squirting salt water solution into the nose.
  • Gargle with warm salt water to get temporary relief from sore throat.
  • Drink warm teas and plenty of fluids for relief from nasal congestion and sore throat.
  • Eat infection-fighting foods such as vitamin C foods, carrots, pepper, mustard, and cranberries, zinc and echinacea.

These measures will give you temporary relief. Keep repeating them until the effects of cold and flu reduce.

When To Consult A Doctor?

A cold or flu can last up to two weeks but the intensity reduces within three to five days. See a doctor if the symptoms last more than ten days with no improvement, or if the symptoms are unusual or severe.

Before takingNyQuil or any other medicine, you should first seek counsel from your doctor and get assured that the benefits outweigh its risks to your pregnancy.

[ Read: Safe Antibiotics At All Stages Of Pregnancy ]

Remember:

  • Do not take NyQuil Severe Cold and Flu during the first trimester as it contains phenylephrine, and could lead to birth defects.
  • Do not take Liquid NyQuil as it contains alcohol.

Cold is annoying, no doubt. but it thankfully doesn't last long. Also, you can try several home remedies which are safe and do not have an adverse effect on your pregnancy. Therefore, try them before you consider any medication.

Did you use NyQuil while pregnant? Let us know your experience in the comments section below.

This post is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for a doctor's consultation. Do not use any medication without talking to your doctor.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

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Dr. Christian Pope is Board-certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is a long-standing medical staff member and past chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Luke's Hospital of SouthCoast Hospitals in New Bedford, Massachusetts and is in private group practice at Hawthorn Medical Associates, Inc. He is a member... more

Shreeja holds a postgraduate degree in Chemistry and diploma in Drug Regulatory Affairs. Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a research analyst with a leading multinational pharmaceutical company. Her interest in the field of medical research has developed her passion for writing research-based articles. As a writer, she aims at providing informative articles on health and pharma, especially related to... more