DayQuil is one of the most popular day-to-day drugs that we use in times of slight fevers, body aches, headaches, or a runny nose. Its availability over the counter, rapid action, and non-drowsy formula have helped it gain immense popularity across the globe.
What is DayQuil?
DayQuil is an OTC (over-the-counter) drug that is used to provide rapid multi-symptom relief in cases of fever, sore throat, body pain, congested nose, etc. It is one of the very popular Vicks products and is meant to be used during the day due to its non-drowsy formulation and rapid action. Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and phenylephrine are its main constituents, which provide symptomatic relief.
It is available in liquid, liquicaps, caplets, etc. forms and in varying strengths so that one can use it according to their disease severity. Also available in infant and adult versions.
Uses of DayQuil
DayQuil is mainly used to get symptomatic relief during the day from the following ailments:
- Non-viral Fever
- Mild to moderate pains
- Body ache
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Congested Nose
- Common Cold
- Flu
- Bronchitis
- Sinusitis
It doesn’t help with symptoms caused by asthma or emphysema.
How do I use DayQuil?
DayQuil is mainly available in forms such as liquid, liquid caps, capsules, caps, etc. and can be taken with food or water. It doesn’t matter if it is taken before or after meals. The use of alcohol is restricted because of its severe and fatal side effects. It shouldn’t be used simultaneously with MAO inhibitors such as selegiline, rasagiline, linezolid, etc.
DayQuil caplets can be taken twice per hour, and if the liquid is taken, 30 ml per hour can be taken. A maximum of four doses can be taken in a span of 24 hours.
How long does DayQuil stay in your system?
DayQuil has mainly four ingredients: acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and phenylephrine. These four components have different half-lives in plasma: guaifenesin has the shortest half-life of about 1 hour, while dextromethorphan has the longest one, spanning up to 6 hours. The peak level of the drug in plasma is reached after 1-2 hours, and the effects start to wane after about 4 hours.
Thus, DayQuil can be taken every 4–6 hours, but not more than 4 doses in a span of 24 hours. The components of DayQuil are excreted completely from the body by 22–24 hours.
DayQuil is absorbed quite rapidly from the gut wall, and it starts working in about 30 minutes. The peak concentration of the drug is reached in the blood in about 1 hour, and the half-life is about 4 hours. It is metabolized in the body by sulfation and glucuronidation and is excreted slowly from the body. Guaifenesin has the fastest half-life and is excreted totallyiny 6 hours. All the components of DayQuil are excreted from the body by approximately 22 hours.
Ingredients present in DayQuil
The ingredients that are present in DayQuil are:
- Active Ingredients:
- Acetaminophen acts as an analgesic and antipyretic.
- Dextromethorphan acts as a cough suppressant.
- Guaifenesin acts as an expectorant.
- Phenylephrine acts as a nasal decongestant.
- 2 Other Ingredients:
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Distilled water
- Sodium Citrate
- Sucrose
- Polyethylene glycol
- Citric acid
- Glycerine
The side effects of DayQuil
DayQuil is generally a safe drug with minimal side effects, which is why it is available over the counter without a prescription. However, it can show certain side effects in incompatible persons and normal people on an overdose or due to prolonged use. The common side effects are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Rashes with peeling
- Dark urine
- Insomnia
- Restlessness and anxiety
- Liver damage from alcohol consumption
Final words
DayQuil is no doubt a day saver for us, time and again. It’s rapid action and minimal side effects on the body have made it one of the most successful products ever marketed by Vicks. This article on how long DayQuil lasts in the body is aimed at making readers aware of the actions, uses, effects, ingredients, and pharmacodynamics of the drug.
DayQuil can be used as often as once per four hours, but one shouldn’t take more than four doses (each dose consists of 2 caplets or 30 ml of liquid) in a span of 24 hours. Prolonged use is also injurious, and while administering to infants or children under the age of 10, special care must always be taken.
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