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Nyquil Vapocool

Generic name: acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, and phenylephrine

Brand names: Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold And Flu Day Night Maximum Strength, Alka-Seltzer Plus Day and Night Cold and Flu Max Strength, Alka-Seltzer Plus Night Severe Cold and Flu, Alka-Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold, Alka-Seltzer Plus Powermax, Daytime Nighttime Cold and Flu Relief, Nighttime Severe Cold and Flu Relief, NyQuil Severe + Vicks VapoCOOL Cold and Flu Nighttime, NyQuil Severe Cold and Flu, NyQuil Severe Cold and Flu Honey, Nyquil Vapocool, Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Nighttime, Tylenol Cold Plus Flu Plu

Used for nasal congestion
Last updated November 3, 2026 0 views
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What is Nyquil Vapocool?

Acetaminophen is a medicine that helps relieve pain and reduce fever.

Dextromethorphan is a medicine that helps suppress coughing. It works on the brain to stop the cough reflex.

Doxylamine is an antihistamine that helps reduce the effects of histamine, a natural chemical in the body. Histamine can cause sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and a runny nose.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that helps shrink blood vessels in the nasal passages. When blood vessels are dilated, they can lead to nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

Nyquil Vapocool is a combination medicine used to treat headache, fever, body aches, cough, runny nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes caused by allergies, the common cold, or the flu.

Nyquil Vapocool will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Nyquil Vapocool may also be used for other purposes not mentioned in this medication guide.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

How should I take Nyquil Vapocool?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. This medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Drop the effervescent tablets into a glass of water (at least 4 ounces, or one-half cup). Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away.

Do not take for longer than 7 days in a row. Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor if you still have a fever after 3 days of use, you still have pain after 7 days (or 5 days if treating a child), if your symptoms get worse, or if you have a skin rash, ongoing headache, or any redness or swelling.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time if you have taken this medicine within the past few days.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow liquid medicine to freeze.

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Warnings

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor immediately if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

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Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, or phenylephrine.

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

  • liver disease, cirrhosis, a history of alcoholism, or if you drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day;
  • heart disease, coronary artery disease;
  • blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);
  • bladder obstruction or other urination problems;
  • glaucoma;
  • pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
  • overactive thyroid; or
  • if you take potassium (Cytra, Epiklor, K-Lyte, K-Phos, Kaon, Klor-Con, Polycitra, Urocit-K).

It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

Nyquil Vapocool may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Antihistamines and decongestants may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could happen even if you have taken acetaminophen before without any issues. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor immediately if you notice skin redness or a rash that spreads and leads to blistering and peeling. If you experience this type of reaction, you should never take any medicine that contains acetaminophen again.

This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have:

  • pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
  • a light-headed feeling, as if you might pass out;
  • anxiety, hallucinations, or feelings of fear;
  • little or no urination;
  • pale skin, unusual weakness;
  • nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or
  • dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Common side effects of Nyquil Vapocool may include:

  • drowsiness;
  • constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting; or
  • feeling restless or excited.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Nyquil Vapocool is taken as needed, you might not have a set dosing schedule. If you are taking the medicine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of acetaminophen can be fatal.

The first signs of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include pain in your upper stomach, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP) is found in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can lead to too much acetaminophen, which can result in a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while you are taking acetaminophen and can enhance certain side effects of doxylamine.

This medicine may cause blurred vision or affect your thinking or reactions. Be cautious if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

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What other drugs will affect Nyquil Vapocool?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are taking any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Taking this medicine with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing may increase these effects. Ask your doctor before taking Nyquil Vapocool with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Related medicines

Before you take this medicine: the information on this page is general and may not cover your personal circumstances. Read the label supplied with your medicine and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medicines or managing a long-term condition.
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Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.