Homechevron_rightDrugschevron_rightNyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion Prices
dextromethorphan / doxylamine / phenylephrine
Used for Nasal Congestion, Cold Symptoms, Cough
Used for Nasal Congestion, Cold Symptoms, Cough
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is a combination of three medications: dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant), doxylamine (an antihistamine), and phenylephrine (a decongestant). It's used to treat symptoms from the common cold. This medication is available over the counter as a liquid for both adults and children.
Reviewed by:
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on July 18, 2023
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BasicsSide effectsPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion?
What is Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion used for?
Short-term relief of common cold symptoms:
Stuffy nose
Sinus congestion and pressure
Cough
Runny nose
Sneezing
Swelling in nasal passages
How Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion works
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is a combination of three medications:
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that works in the brain to lower your urge to cough.
Doxylamine is an antihistamine. It blocks histamine, a natural chemical in your body that causes congestion, sneezing, and promotes coughing.
Phenylephrine is a decongestant that clears your sinuses to relieve sinus pressure.
info
Are you looking for information on NyQuil Cough (dextromethorphan / doxylamine) or NyQuil Severe Cough and Flu (acetaminophen / dextromethorphan / doxylamine / phenylephrine) instead?
Drug Facts
Common BrandsNyQuil Cough DM Plus Congestion, NyQuil Kids Cold and Cough Plus Congestion
Drug ClassCough suppressant / Antihistamine / Decongestant
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityOver-the-counter
What are the side effects of Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion?
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Other Side Effects
Serious Side Effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Source:DailyMed
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Pros and cons of Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
Pros
Can treat a wide variety of common cold symptoms
More convenient to take three medications in a single dose
Available over the counter
Can be used in children as young as 6 years old
Cons
Might need to take as often as every 4 hours to relieve symptoms
More difficult to customize the dose since Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is a fixed combination of three medications
Only available as a liquid
Can worsen certain medical conditions
Pharmacist tips for Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
Use a medication dose cup or an oral syringe to measure your dose of Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion. Don't use household spoons because they aren't accurate and might cause you to take the wrong dose.
You can take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking the medication with food.
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion can make you sleepy or dizzy during the day, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. Don't drive until you know how the medication affects you. To prevent daytime sleepiness, taking the least amount of medication possible close to bedtime can help.
While Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion usually makes adults sleepy, it's possible for children who use this medication to become overly excited or energetic. If this happens to your child, speak to your child's provider.
Stop using Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion and contact your provider if you experience any of the following: (1) you feel nervous or dizzy or you have trouble sleeping; (2) your cough or congestion lasts longer than a week or keeps coming back; (3) you have cough or congestion with a fever, rash, or headache; or (4) you have any other new symptoms. These might be signs of a more serious medical condition that your provider needs to check out.
Tell your provider or pharmacist about all the medications you're taking, especially if you're taking other cough suppressants, antihistamines, or decongestants. They can make sure Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is safe for you to take.
Don't take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline or phenelzine (Nardil). This combination can raise your risk for severe side effects (e.g., serotonin syndrome, high blood pressure, dizziness). If you're currently taking or have taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks, don't use Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion. Contact your provider for other options to treat your cold symptoms.
Ask your provider before using Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion if you're on a low-salt diet. It contains some sodium (salt).
Frequently asked questions about Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
Is Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion safe for everyone?
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Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is generally safe to take, but it might not be the best choice if you have certain medical conditions. If you're 65 years of age or older, you might experience side effects from the medication more intensely. In addition, this medication might not be right for you if you have a cough that's lasted for a long time; a cough that occurs with smoking, asthma, or emphysema; or a cough with a lot of mucus. Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion might also worsen heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, glaucoma, urination problems, or breathing problems. If you have any of these medical conditions, ask your provider if Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion is safe for you.
Can I take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion only when I need it?
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Yes, you can take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion as needed for cold symptoms. However, while you're having symptoms, it's recommended you take the medication on a scheduled basis by following the packaging directions or your provider's instructions (typically every 4 hours). That way, the medication can give you the most symptom relief.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion?
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Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion. The medication and alcohol can both cause sleepiness and dizziness. So drinking alcohol while you take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion can raise your risk of feeling these side effects more intensely.
How long does it take for Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion to kick in?
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The time it takes for Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion to kick in depends on each ingredient in the medication and the symptoms they help relieve. Both phenylephrine and dextromethorphan start to work within 15 to 30 minutes. Antihistamines, like doxylamine, generally start to work within 30 to 60 minutes. This means that you might start to feel relief from congestion and cough sooner than sneezing or runny nose.
Can I take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
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If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, don't take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion until you've talked to your provider first about the risks and benefits of the medication. Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion contains phenylephrine. The safety of phenylephrine during pregnancy isn't completely clear.
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What are the risks and warnings for Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion?
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serotonin syndrome
Risk factors: Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) 14 days before starting Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion | Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels in your brain
Serotonin syndrome is a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition where there's too much serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the chemicals in your brain responsible for your mood. Your risk for this condition goes up if you use Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion with other medications that affect serotonin levels, such as certain antidepressants, MAOIs, lithium, and certain migraine medications (e.g., sumatriptan (Imitrex)). Make sure your provider knows about all the medications you take (including over-the-counter medications and supplements) before starting Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion so they can check that this medication is safe for you to take. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, high fever, and confusion. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Accidental overdose
Risk factors: Using other medications with similar ingredients
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion contains a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), an antihistamine (doxylamine), and a decongestant (phenylephrine), which can be found in many other over-the-counter products. Using more than one medication containing these ingredients can lead to an accidental overdose and cause serious side effects. These serious side effects include seizures, hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real), or even death.
To prevent an accidental overdose, read package labels carefully. If you're not sure if a product has any similar ingredients, ask your pharmacist. Keep this medication up and away from children. If you or your loved one experiences an accidental overdose, get medical help as soon as possible or contact a poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Worsening of medical conditions
Risk factors: Heart disease or high blood pressure | Thyroid problems | High blood sugar (diabetes) | Glaucoma | Cough from smoking, asthma, or emphysema | Mucus-producing cough | Breathing problems (e.g., emphysema, long-term bronchitis) | Urinary conditions
Don't take Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion if you have any of the risk factors listed above unless your provider said it's safe to do so. Taking Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion can worsen your condition(s) and cause serious side effects. Make sure your provider knows about all medical conditions you have or have had in the past before starting Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion.
Driving impairment
Risk factors: Taking with alcohol | Taking other medications that make you less alert
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion can lower your ability to focus, think, and react. Your risk is higher when drinking alcohol or taking other medications that make you drowsy or less alert (e.g., benzodiazepines, opioids). Be careful and avoid activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car or operating machinery, until you know how this medication affects you.
Dangerous for children under 4 years old
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion isn't safe and shouldn't be used in children under 4 years old. Using this medication for children that young can cause serious and possibly fatal problems like fast heart rate and seizures. Speak to your child's provider or your pharmacist to discuss safer alternatives.
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion dosage forms
Typical dosing for Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
Each 15 mL contains 10 mg of dextromethorphan, 6.25 mg of doxylamine, and 5 mg of phenylephrine.
Adults and children 12 years and older: The typical dose is 30 mL (2 tablespoons) by mouth every 4 hours. Don't take more than 120 mL (8 tablespoons) in a 24-hour period.
Children ages 6 to 11 years old: The typical dose is 15 mL (1 tablespoon) by mouth every 4 hours. Don't give more than 60 mL (4 tablespoons) in a 24-hour period.
Children ages 4 to 5 years old: Ask your child's provider.
Children ages 3 years and younger: Don't use.
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person shouldnot take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditionsor if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion will not be safe for you to take.
Currently take or have taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks
What are alternatives to Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Nyquil Cough DM Plus Congestion
Used for:
Short-term relief of common cold symptoms:
Stuffy nose
Sinus congestion and pressure
Cough
Runny nose
Sneezing
Swelling in nasal passages
View Prices
Bromfed DM
Used for:
Cough
Runny nose
Sneezing
Itchy or watery eyes
Itching of the nose or throat
Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
$9.49 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
Alahist CF
Used for:
Cough from throat and lung irritation
Runny nose
Sneezing
Itchy or watery eyes
Itching of the nose or throat
Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
$25.55 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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References
starsBest studies we found
Bolser, D. C. (2008). Older-generation antihistamines and cough due to upper airway cough syndrome (UACS): Efficacy and mechanism. Lung.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Spoons are for soup, milliliters are for medicine.
Church, M. K., et al. (2013). Pharmacology of antihistamines. Indian Journal of Dermatology.
View All References (8)
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Gelotte, C. K., et al. (2015). Pharmaco*kinetics, safety, and cardiovascular tolerability of phenylephrine HCl 10, 20, and 30 mg after a single oral administration in healthy volunteers. Clinical Drug Investigation.
Oh, S., et al. (2023). Dextromethorphan. StatPearls.
Pagel, J. F. (2009). Excessive daytime sleepiness. American Family Physician.
Ricciardi, L., et al. (2019). H1-antihistamines for allergic diseases: Old aged but not old-fashioned drug. International Journal of Allergy Medications.
Richards, E., et al. (2023). Phenylephrine. StatPearls.
Siu, A., et al. (2007). Dextromethorphan: A review of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist in the management of pain. Central Nervous System Drug Reviews.
The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company. (2023). Vicks Nyquil kids honey cold cough congestion- doxylamine succinate, phenylephrine hydrochloride and dextromethorphan hydrobromide liquid [package insert]. DailyMed.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Use caution when giving cough and cold products to kids.
GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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