Does NyQuil reduce nasal congestion?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Does NyQuil reduce nasal congestion?
No, the original version of NyQuil does not reduce nasal congestion as it does not contain a decongestant. NyQuil usually contains three active ingredients: Dextromethorphan, Acetaminophen, and Doxylamine. (1)
Dextromethorphan helps with your cough as it is an antitussive medication. Acetaminophen is an OTC painkiller which also reduces fever, a common symptom of cold and flu.
Doxylamine is a sedative antihistamine. It helps reduce a variety of allergy symptoms and helps induce sleep, hence the name NyQuil (the daytime formulation is called DayQuil and it does not contain Doxylamine).
As none of the active ingredients of the original NyQuil works to reduce nasal congestion, it will not resolve your problem. It is important to note that formulations with similar active ingredients, such as DayQuil and NyQuil, should not be used together.
However, the original NyQuil formulation can be taken with a decongestant, like Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) or Sudafed PE (Phenylephrine). These medications can be safely taken together for several cold and flu symptoms. However, make sure you use the original version of NyQuil.
It can also be used with expectorants like Mucinex safely.
What medications reduce nasal congestion?
Several medications can help reduce nasal congestion, providing relief from stuffy or blocked noses. Some common medications include (2):
- Decongestants: These medications work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages, reducing swelling and congestion. Examples include Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and phenylephrine (3).
- Antihistamines: While primarily used to treat allergies, certain antihistamines can also help with nasal congestion by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages. Examples include Zyrtec (Cetirizine) and Claritin (Loratadine). (4)
- Nasal sprays: Nasal sprays like Afrin (Oxymetazoline) provide quick relief from nasal congestion by directly targeting the swollen blood vessels in the nose. However, they should only be used for a short duration to avoid rebound congestion. (5)
- Combination products: Some over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain a combination of ingredients to provide relief from multiple symptoms, including nasal congestion. Examples include Dayquil and Nyquil severe.
- Nasal corticosteroids: These prescription medications, such as Flonase (Fluticasone) and Nasonex (Mometasone), help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, providing long-term relief from nasal congestion. (5)
Final words
If you want to control your nasal congestion, go for NyQuil Severe. This version of NyQuil contains one additional ingredient – Phenylephrine (6). This ingredient is a nasal decongestant and can actively manage your symptoms.
If NyQuil Severe is not available where you are, you can take an additional nasal decongestant, like Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) or Sudafed PE (Phenylephrine) to take with the original formulation of NyQuil.
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References
1.-
LABEL: VICKS NYQUIL COLD AND FLU- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, and doxylamine succinate capsule, liquid filled. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=620bc3dc-099b-40bd-be22-e4c3f9c8e09d&type=pdf
2.-
Corey JP, Houser SM, Ng BA. Nasal congestion: a review of its etiology, evaluation, and treatment. Ear Nose Throat J. 2000 Sep;79(9):690-3, 696, 698 passim. PMID: 11011488. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11011488/
3.-
Empey DW, Medder KT. Nasal decongestants. Drugs. 1981 Jun;21(6):438-43. doi: 10.2165/00003495-198121060-00003. PMID: 6166444. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6166444/
4.-
Hore I, Georgalas C, Scadding G. Oral antihistamines for the symptom of nasal obstruction in persistent allergic rhinitis–a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Clin Exp Allergy. 2005 Feb;35(2):207-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2005.02159.x. Erratum in: Clin Exp Allergy. 2005 Apr;35(4):547. PMID: 15725193. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15725193/
5.-
Benninger M. Diagnosis and management of nasal congestion: the role of intranasal corticosteroids. Postgrad Med. 2009 Jan;121(1):122-31. doi: 10.3810/pgm.2009.01.1961. PMID: 19179820. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19179820/
6.-
LABEL: VICKS NYQUIL SEVERE COLD AND FLU- acetaminophen, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, doxylamine succinate, and phenylephrine hydrochloride solution. DailyMed [Internet]. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=d1657403-b953-4db1-9a86-343e9e769a1a&type=pdf
