Can You Take Benzonatate with Nyquil? [In-Detail Explanation]
When we get a cold, the first thing that comes to mind is medicines like Benzonatate and Nyquil. Both fight against cold but have different formulations. However, you may think of taking them together for the first relief. But taking any of them will definitely make you sleepy and tired. So, when you take them together, no wonder you will feel more exhausted.
So, can you take Benzonatate with Nyquil?
Well, you can take Benzonatate and Nyquil at the same time; there will be no negative interaction. Nevertheless, taking both medicines together can be life-threatening due to overdoses and other facts.
Hence, we are here to discuss the potential risks, side effects, warnings, and interactions between them in detail. So, please take a deep breath and explore how they work and what the consequences will be.
Can You Take Benzonatate with NyQuil?
First, before taking Benzonatate and Nyquil together, you need to know their differences and other individual facts like brands, side effects, cautions, amount of dose per day, and eligible age for intake. For your convenience, we researched to find out more about them. Take a look.
1. Benzonatate VS Nyquil
First, check out the below table to know the differences between them.
| Differences | Benzonatate | Nyquil |
| Purpose | Specifically cough relief | Relief from congestion, headache, coughing, body aches, and fever |
| Ingredients | Gelatin, propylparaben, methylparaben, titanium dioxide, and purified water, | Acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, and doxylamine succinate. |
| Forms | Oral capsule | Liquid |
| Side effects | Anxiety, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and dizziness | It may lead to drowsiness, urinary retention, dizziness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. |
| Dosing frequency | 3 times a day from age 10 and older | Every 6 hours |
2. Brands Details
According to patients’ health conditions, different medicine brands provide other medications with different textures and formulations. Now let’s explore the types of each medicine brand in detail.
- Brands of Benzonatate
The names of the brands of this oral capsule in detail are the following:
- Tessalon,
- Zonatuss,
- Tessalon Perles,
- Benzonatate Capsules,
- Benzedrex,
- Tessalon 200,
- Lubricough.
All these brands functioned more or less the same. Therefore, these medicines are classified as antitussive drugs.
Read More: Can You Take Robitussin and NyQuil?
Side effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, constipation, itching, skin rash, confusion, or hallucinations, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, allergic reaction (swelling, inflammation, or difficulty breathing)
Warning
- Take at most 200mg at a time.
- Please don’t give it to children under 10 years old.
- Never chew, break, or dissolve the medicine in your mouth. The only thing you can do is swallow it.
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Brands of Nyquil
- Nyquil Sinus,
- Nyquil D,
- Nyquil cough,
- Zzzquil,
- Children’s Nyquil
Here, the first three contain active ingredients like dextromethorphan, acetaminophen, and pseudoephedrine.
On the other hand, ZzzQuil contains the active ingredient diphenhydramine. The ingredient is considered a sleeping aid. However, this particular ingredient in it is an antihistamine. Hence, it helps to fall asleep quickly.
Besides that, this liquid medicine has “Children’s NyQuil,” which is specially formed for children. It contains a different combination of active ingredients in lower doses. Yet it’s for children 6 years of age and older.
Side effects
Drowsiness, dry mouth, and throat, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention
Warning
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this. Because it may damage the liver.
- Avoid driving or doing work that requires you to be alert. Because, after taking the medicine, your vision may get blurred. In addition, you may feel dizzy.
Also Read: Can You Take Delsym and Nyquil Together?
3. Caution for certain groups
Both of the medicines are not eligible for the following:
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding women
- Allergic to particular medicines
- Who has lung diseases or breathing problem
- Children under the age of 10
4. Interactions between Benzonatate and Nyquil
Surprisingly, there is no significant interaction between the two medicines. Apart from these, it’s important to know the interactions with multiple medications to avoid side effects.
Look below and know what drugs should not be taken with Benzonatate and Nyquil.
| Medications | Interactions with Benzonatate or Nyquil |
| Central nervous system depressants (opioids, benzodiazepines) | Drowsiness and respiratory depression may occur. |
| MAO inhibitors | can lead to low blood pressure and other serious side effects including the central nervous system. |
| Antihistamines medications | dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, |
| Antidepressants ( SSRIs, SNRIs) | It increases the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is life-threatening. |
| Blood thinners (warfarin) | increase the risk of bleeding |
| Sedatives (sleep aids) | Increased risk of drowsiness, dizziness, depress the central nervous system, and impaired coordination |
| Local anesthetics (Lidocaine, prilocaine) | Numbing the nerves through toxic effects |
| Acetaminophen (APAP) | Too much acetaminophen can lead to a fatal overdose |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you take Benzonatate on an empty stomach?
Yes. You can take this medicine on an empty stomach. You can take it even when you are full. Remember to take this medicine three times per day, or every 8 hours.
What should I do if someone takes too much Benzonatate?
If someone does so, you should seek medical help immediately. Otherwise, restlessness, tremors, convulsions, cardiac arrest, or even coma may occur. Within 15–20 minutes, the symptoms started to show up.
What’s the basic difference between Dayquil and Nyquil?
The major difference between the two is that Dayquil is formulated with non-drowsy elements. Basically, Dayquil contains the decongestant phenylephrine that helps to reduce colds and flu, whereas Nyquil contains an antihistamine that allows you to sleep well at night.
Conclusion
Overall, I hope now you have no confusion regarding whether it is safe to take Benzonatate and Nyquil together. But above all these, you must follow the prescription your health care professionals provide. Especially before mixing or taking any kind of medication concurrently, consult with them. Finally, live a healthy and happy life.
