Can You Take NyQuil When Breastfeeding?

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Common cold can negatively impact your health and make bedtime annoying. It makes your nose stuffy, gives you a headache, and eventually makes it impossible to sleep. In such situations, you might consider visiting a pharmacist to purchase an over-the-counter cold medication such as NyQuil to alleviate the irritation and help you sleep better. But can you take NyQuil while breastfeeding? Is it safe for the baby? MomJunction answers these questions about NyQuil while breastfeeding and if the medicine has any effect on the baby.

What Is NyQuil?

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NyQuil is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that provides relief from the symptoms of cold and flu such as a sore throat, sneezing, cough, minor body aches, headache, fever, and runny nose. There are several variants of NyQuil available as syrup or liquid-filled capsules.

What Are The Ingredients Of NyQuil?

NyQuil contains a pain and fever reliever, a cough suppressant, and antihistamine. A few variants have added nasal decongestant or may consist of only a cough suppressant and antihistamine. Of the many variants of this medicine, DayQuil is for daytime usage and ZZZQuil is a non-habit forming medicine used to facilitate sleeping at night.

The variant that is commonly used for nighttime relief from cold symptoms is NyQuil Cold & Flu, which is the original version of the medicine. There is also a sub-variant called NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu. The following table contains information about the various active ingredients found in the medicine (1) (2) (3):

Note:

It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions before taking any medicine. The manufacturer-recommended dosage of NyQuil Cold & Flu is 30ml in six hours, and NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu is 30ml in four hours. If you have the NyQuil Cold & Flu capsule version, then the recommended dosage is two capsules every six hours. You should not have more than four doses of NyQuil in 24 hours.

Besides alcohol, NyQuil has several other inactive ingredients that do not have a remarkable effect on you. Having alcohol during lactation is never a good thing even if it is in small quantities. Alcohol and other active ingredients make breastfeeding mothers worry about the safety of NyQuil during lactation.

Is It Safe To Have NyQuil While Breastfeeding?

The safety of NyQuil while breastfeeding depends on how safe is each active ingredient:

1. Acetaminophen (paracetamol): Research has shown that this drug is safe for breastfeeding women and their infants (7). Maternal dosage is not known to affect the infant adversely.

2. Dextromethorphan: The effects of this compound on breastfeeding infants have not been extensively studied. But some research suggests that a normal dose should not have unfavorable effects on breastfeeding infants older than two months (8).

3. Doxylamine succinate: Irregular, small doses of doxylamine are not known to cause any problems. Larger doses of this antihistamine can cause drowsiness in babies since doxylamine readily passes into the breast milk (9). A maternal dose of antihistamines can cause colic, irritability, and drowsiness in the baby, but it is unlikely to be severe.

4. Phenylephrine: It is less likely to transfer to breast milk, which means your baby will not get high doses of the medicine. Consuming the component phenylephrine while breastfeeding may cause a slight decrease in milk production due to the drug’s effect on the prolactin hormone (10).

Alcohol can cross the blood-milk barrier and from there enter the infant’s body. Medical experts state that less than two percent of alcohol consumed by the mother reaches her breast milk (11). The quantity of alcohol in a dose of NyQuil is too little to pass through the breast milk and cause any problems to the baby.

Moreover, an alcohol-free version of NyQuil liquid is available, and the capsule versions do not contain alcohol at all. In any case, you should exercise caution while breastfeeding and consult a doctor before using NyQuil. Also, to prioritize overall wellness, you need to be watchful of the potential side effects of NyQuil on your baby.

Quick tip

Drugs and Lactation Database aka LactMed gives information on the drug levels of medicines and its possible effects on the nursing infants. It also gives therapeutic alternatives to drugs wherever required.

Can NyQuil Have Side Effects In Babies?

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There are no documented side effects of maternal NyQuil usage on a breastfeeding infant. However, watch out for the potential side effects that the baby may show.

• Some babies may develop a rash as a side effect to acetaminophen. This is mostly not dangerous.
• Excessive drowsiness and lethargy to the point that the baby seems sedated.
• An abrupt change in feeding and sleeping patterns.
• The baby does not seem to get enough breast milk per feed.

Donnell, a mother and vlogger, shares her experience using Nyquil while breastfeeding her 19-month-old. She says, “I was really in bad shape, so I took Nyquil three times in two days… As my daughter was nursing, I observed that I did not hear her gulping the sound of milk; she just seemed like she wanted more… I noticed a reduction in my milk supply, but it was not a long-term decrease. As soon as I was done taking the medicine, my milk supply continued to increase within three days (i).”

• Chronic colic due to no discernible reason.
• Constant irritability and lack of interest in playing, and other activities.

If you notice any of these problems, then stop NyQuil usage and consult the physician. There are some situations in which you must avoid the drug entirely.

When To Avoid NyQuil?

It is best to avoid NyQuil if:

1. Your baby has a history of allergic reactions to acetaminophen and antihistamines or tends to exhibit a reaction to any medicine consumed by the mother.

2. The baby is less than three months old or a preterm infant. Newborns and preterm babies are more sensitive to the presence of drugs in breast milk. Even small quantities of medicine may cause adverse effects.

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3. The baby has a liver, kidney, or heart problem. Drug compounds may exacerbate such issues. Your baby’s doctor can guide you in detail about it.

In such cases, you should contact your doctor for alternatives to treat the symptoms of a common cold.

What Are The Alternatives To NyQuil?

When you cannot have NyQuil but need some relief from symptoms of cold, you can try the following.

1. Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is safe for breastfeeding moms and their babies. If you want relief from body aches, headache, and fever, then you can have acetaminophen.

2. Resting and staying warm: Rest and keep yourself warm through the night can help you feel better.

3. Drink warm beverages and plenty of fluids: Eat warm food and soup for relief from the discomfort caused by cold.

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4. Steam inhalation: It can clear a stuffy nose and make breathing easier.

5. Saltwater gargles: Salt soothes a sore throat and provides pain relief.

Infographic: Alternatives To Taking NyQuil When Breastfeeding

Over-the-counter medications such as NyQuil may not be entirely safe when breastfeeding. It is advisable to manage cold symptoms with home remedies and minimum medicines during this period. The infographic below suggests effective ways to relieve discomfort during a cold.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Can You Take NyQuil When Breastfeeding?

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

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Dr. Dur Afshar AghaMS

Dr. Dur Afshar Agha is a consultant pediatrician with around 26 years of experience in various medical facilities both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She has headed the Department of Preventive Pediatrics at the prestigious, Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Pakistan and is a life member of the Pakistan Paediatric Association.

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Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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Vidya TadapatriMSc (Biotechnology)

Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five years of experience. She has done certified biotechnology-related training programs under renowned organizations such as Centre For Cellular & Molecular Biology and Department of Biotechnology.

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