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Can You Mix Dayquil and Alcohol?

It is not a good idea to use Dayquil and alcohol at the same time. The combined impact of these substances can undermine your ability to think clearly, impair your coordination, and cause long-term health problems.

At Lake Avenue Recovery Center, we provide customized outpatient care to help adults end their alcohol use and build a foundation for successful, long-term recovery. 

Learn more about alcohol rehab in Massachusetts or verify your insurance now.  

What Is Dayquil?

Dayquil is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that is typically used to treat symptoms associated with influenza and the common cold. It is available as a liquid, tablets, and liquid-filled gel capsules.

Most Dayquil products contain three primary active ingredients:

  • Acetaminophen: A mild pain reliever and fever reducer
  • Dextromethorphan hydrobromide: A cough suppressant
  • Phenylephrine hydrochloride: A nasal decongestant

The “Severe Cold and Flu” version of Dayquil also contains guaifenesin, which is an expectorant that clears phlegm and mucus from the chest.

Dayquil is a non-drowsy version of Nyquil. Both products are owned by Procter & Gamble and marketed under the Vicks brand. According to the marketing research site YouGov, Dayquil is the 10th most popular drug brand in the United States.

Does Dayquil Cause Side Effects?

Every medication, even OTC meds, can cause adverse effects. Dayquil is no exception, though the risks associated with it are relatively minimal if you follow the dosage instructions.

Common Dayquil side effects include:

  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Headache
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Anxiety and irritability

If a person misuses Dayquil by taking too much or combining it with other substances, they risk severe adverse effects such as:

  • Liver damage
  • Hallucinations
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Slowed breathing
  • Seizure

Important note: Anyone who exhibits any of the severe side effects above needs immediate medical attention. Dayquil overdose can be life-threatening due to the presence of dextromethorphan hydrobromide. If a person survives the overdose, the acetaminophen in the med can cause irreversible liver damage due. 

What Happens if You Mix Dayquil and Alcohol?

It’s common to be advised not to drink when you’re taking certain prescription drugs. But we often don’t consider that alcohol can also be harmful when mixed with OTC meds such as Dayquil.

Having Dayquil and alcohol in your system at the same time can put you at risk of several physical, psychological, and behavioral concerns. Alone, each substance can cause problematic effects. When the drugs are combined, these effects can intensify to the point of posing a serious health risk.

Physical Effects

The physical risks of combining alcohol and Dayquil include:

  • Liver damage: Heavy drinking has long been recognized as a risk factor for serious liver problems, including steatosis (fatty liver), hepatitis, and cirrhosis. The acetaminophen in Dayquil can also be harmful to the liver, especially if a person abuses the med by exceeding recommended dosage levels.  
  • Impaired coordination: Alcohol is a depressant, which means that it slows the delivery of messages between the brain and other parts of the body. This can cause functional impairments in many areas, including coordination. Dayquil has been known to cause people to feel dizzy or lightheaded. The combined impact of these effects can include serious difficulties with balance and motor skills, which can put a person at increased risk of injuries due to slips, falls, and similar accidents.
  • Gastrointestinal distress: Both alcohol and Dayquil can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. When both substances are in your body at the same time, the likelihood of having these types of problems can increase considerably.
  • Overdose: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol poisoning (overdose) directly caused an annual average of 2,621 deaths in 2021-2022. This works out to an average of more than seven alcohol poisoning deaths per day. Excessive drinking was also a factor in more than 19,000 poisoning deaths that involved multiple substances. Using Dayquil while drinking heavily can put a person in greater danger of overdose and death.

Psychological & Behavioral Effects

From a psychological and behavioral perspective, the impact of using Dayquil and alcohol at the same time can include:

  • Poor judgment: Alcohol use is rarely associated with good decision-making. Intoxication can lower your inhibitions and slow your thinking, which can lead to impulsivity and recklessness. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide, which is one of the primary active ingredients in Dayquil, can have a similar effect. Even if you think you can retain your mental faculties while drinking, adding Dayquil to the alcohol in your system can undermine your ability to make healthy choices.
  • Disrupted sleep: Though alcohol can make you drowsy, it actually degrades the quality of your sleep. Phenylephrine hydrochloride, which is also one of the primary active ingredients in Dayquil, can have mild stimulant effects. The combination of the two substances can impair your ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed.
  • Decreased alertness: Drinking alcohol limits your ability to remain alert and focused. Dayquil can make you think you’re more alert, but what you may actually be experiencing is jitteriness or restlessness. Also, sleep deprivation contributes to decreased alertness, which means that the negative impact of combining alcohol and Dayquil can continue even after you no longer have the substances in your system.

Is Mixing Dayquil and Alcohol a Sign of Addiction?

As established in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), one of the criteria for alcohol addiction is “recurrent alcohol use in situations in which it is physically hazardous.”

If you understand that it can be dangerous to drink while using Dayquil, but you do so anyway, that would fit this criteria. That alone doesn’t mean you have alcohol use disorder, which is the clinical term for alcoholism, but it can be a serious red flag.

Other warning signs of alcohol addiction include:

  • Drinking more or for a longer period of time than you intended
  • Spending significant amounts of time drinking alcohol and recovering from its effects
  • Lying or otherwise deceiving loved ones about the amount and frequency of your alcohol use
  • Continuing to drink even after going through some type of medical, mental health, or social problem that was either caused or worsened by your prior alcohol use
  • Neglecting to keep appointments, pay bills, or fulfill other responsibilities as a result of your alcohol use
  • Reducing or ending your participation in important social or work-related activities due to your alcohol use
  • Needing alcohol to feel happy or cope with stress
  • Using alcohol as an “eye opener” to get moving in the morning or to help you relax at the end of the day
  • Developing tolerance, which means that you need to drink more than you used to in order to feel the effects of the alcohol
  • Developing withdrawal symptoms when you try to curtail your alcohol use

Learn More About Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts

Lake Avenue Recovery offers customized outpatient treatment for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs. We also provide dual diagnosis services for clients with anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring mental health concerns.

Treatment options at our drug rehab in Massachusetts include a high-intensity outpatient program and an intensive outpatient program (IOP) with an evening option. In each program, you can expect to receive personalize services and comprehensive support from a team of dedicated professionals who are truly invested in your success.

To learn more call 508-794-4400 or verify your insurance now.