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Can nyquil cause diarrhea: Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu (Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine, And Phenylephrine)

by alexxlab

Why does cold medicine give me the runs? – Factual Questions

Mister_Rik


1

Every time I catch a cold bad enough to require medication (Dayquil/Nyquil, etc.), I end up with loose bowels. Why does this happen? Is the medicine tricking my body into rerouting to my colon all the fluid I’d normally be blowing out of my sinuses?

GameHat


2

Phase42:

Every time I catch a cold bad enough to require medication (Dayquil/Nyquil, etc.), I end up with loose bowels. Why does this happen? Is the medicine tricking my body into rerouting to my colon all the fluid I’d normally be blowing out of my sinuses?

It’s probably a side effect of the Dextromethorphan that is in lots of OTC cold medicines. It acts as a cough suppressant but can also have minor gastrointestinal side effects.

Sattua


3

Aren’t opiates supposed to be constipating, though?

TV_time


4

Sattua:

Aren’t opiates supposed to be constipating, though?

Yes, they are. When I was overseas during a not too recent war in SE Asia. I used to put out some of the opiates that the government issued us for pain hoping the rats would eat it and explode from constipation or get hooked on it and do my bidding for another “fix”. Neither happened. Clearly they were too smart.

Sophistry_and_Illusion


5

Sattua:

Aren’t opiates supposed to be constipating, though?

Yes, but OTC cold remedies don’t contain opiates. At least, I don’t think DM is an opiate.

Sattua


6

Sophistry and Illusion:

Yes, but OTC cold remedies don’t contain opiates. At least, I don’t think DM is an opiate.

By golly you’re right. I had somehow gotten it stuck in my head that dextromethorphan was an opiate. Never mind!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dextromethorphan

freckafree


7

I’ve had issues with the artificial sweeteners in sugar-free cough drops. I think they mostly use sugar alcohols like sorbitol and xylitol. It doesn’t take very many to set me off. You might check to see what the sweetening ingredient is in Dayquil/Nyquil.

Shark_Sandwich


8

Are you sure your…gastrointestinal distress isn’t a symptom of the illness, and not a side effect of the OTC medication? Flu and the trots tend to go hand in hand.

  • SS

Mister_Rik


9

Shark Sandwich:

Are you sure your…gastrointestinal distress isn’t a symptom of the illness, and not a side effect of the OTC medication? Flu and the trots tend to go hand in hand.

That’s certainly possible – as is the possibility that I’m simply drinking more fluids when I’m sick.

But I hate medicating myself so I’ll put off taking any medicine until I just can’t stand it any more. And that’s when the runs start. I should note that a single dose of Nyquil at bedtime doesn’t do this to me. It’s when I get on the dose-every-four-hours with the Dayquil that it happens.

This isn’t explosive, desperately-hoping-to-make-it-to-the-toilet diarrhea, either. It’s just unusually soft, runny stool.

Qadgop_the_Mercotan


10

Well, DXM is sort of an opiate, but it has no affinity at the opiate receptor sites that trigger decreased bowel motion, and hence constipation. Nor does it have activity at the opiate receptor sites that decrease pain or cause euphoria.

It’s thought to have weak activity at the opiate receptor sites that suppress cough; but clinical studies haven’t borne this out very well. It’s probably not a real effective cough suppressant.

Joey_P


11

Do any of the meds your taking for the cold contain guaifenesin?

Mister_Rik


12

Joey P:

Do any of the meds your taking for the cold contain guaifenesin?

The Robitussin DM does …

Nyquil Withdrawal Statistics and Timeline at an Inpatient Facility

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Nyquil is an over-the-counter medicine that comes in tablet and liquid form and is used to alleviate cold and flu symptoms; aches and pains, fever, headache, runny nose, sneezing, and congestion. Nyquil is comprised of an analgesic, a cough suppressant, and an antihistamine. Nyquil withdrawal can be painful and requires the assistance of trained professionals in order to keep it safe and as affective as possible.

There are three active ingredients in Nyquil:

  • Acetaminophen, a mild analgesic and fever reducer
  • Dextromethorphan HBr, a cough suppressant
  • Doxylamine succinate, an antihistamine

When taken correctly, Nyquil is handy for alleviating the annoying and painful symptoms of colds and the flu. The medication can make people drowsy, and help them fall asleep when they’re sick and uncomfortable. Nyquil can be abused, and in some cases, can become addictive, habit-forming, and even dangerous.

The active ingredient in Nyquil, dextromethorphan, can give people a high and induce buzz-like, euphoric feelings. On the street, the act of taking Nyquil to get high is called ‘robotripping.’ People looking for this high will abuse other cough and cold medicines, like Robitussin and medications which contain dextromethorphan.

What makes robotripping dangerous is the combination of dextromethorphan with the other active ingredients in Nyquil. Also, people who drink alcohol with Nyquil or who are on certain antidepressant medications can experience dangerous health complications when they abuse medicines like Nyquil to get high, such as:

  • Confusion and drowsiness
  • Rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure
  • Hallucinations
  • Seizures
  • Impaired motor control

Long-term abuse of Nyquil can also lead to liver and kidney damage, and memory problems. People who robotrip can get into car accidents or experience other injuries from impaired motor function. In rare cases, brain damage can occur when oxygen is unable to get to the brain during a powerful robotrip.

Despite the dangers, some people will abuse cough medicines and become addicted to the high they produce. Trying to quit on one’s own can be dangerous and painful, but there is help for people with Nyquil addiction from medically supervised detox centers and inpatient rehab facilities.

Nyquil withdrawal symptoms usually start within a few hours of last use and typically peak within three days after cessation. Physical withdrawal symptoms can last for several weeks, but emotional symptoms can linger for months if someone doesn’t get help. Without assistance from doctors and medical professionals, people trying to recover from Nyquil addiction can develop long-lasting depression and anxiety.

The physical symptoms of Nyquil withdrawal can be unpleasant, painful, and potentially dangerous.

  • Insomnia
  • Restlessness
  • Stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Weight loss
  • Cold flashes
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Anxiety
  • Cravings
  • Depression

It is potentially dangerous to stop taking Nyquil suddenly, or ‘cold-turkey.’ Sudden cessation can cause more intense withdrawal symptoms and make them last longer. Also, long-term abuse of Nyquil where someone goes cold-turkey increases the risk of seizures and depression. Sudden weight loss from stomach problems experienced during withdrawal is also common and can be dangerous if not treated. With medical detox, patients are under the care and supervision of trained doctors who can help them safely taper off from Nyquil. Doctors can also prescribe medications that can help alleviate some of the painful symptoms of withdrawal.

Doctors can give patients in a detox center small, tapered-off doses of Nyquil to lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms. It is also safe for patients to take something for stomach upset and pain. Also, doctors can prescribe short-term sleep aids for those who experience insomnia during withdrawal. If withdrawals lead to depression, patients can take antidepressants.

It isn’t safe for someone to quit cold-turkey, nor is it safe for someone to self-medicate away painful withdrawal symptoms with alcohol or other drugs. With any drug detox, it isn’t safe for those in recovery to be left alone or in an environment where it is all too easy for them to fall back into old, destructive habits. People who attend detox and inpatient rehab have higher, lifelong sobriety success rates than those who don’t.

In a medical detox facility, patients are first assessed for underlying physical and mental health problems and polydrug abuse. These findings will determine what kind of tapering-off schedule a doctor will order for the patient.

During detox, patients are monitored for any troubling signs, like depression or the risk of seizure. Withdrawal symptoms are also safely and adequately medicated to lessen their severity.

After a patient has completed the withdrawal and detox phase, they can begin a stay at an inpatient rehab center, where doctors, therapists, and social workers will work closely with them in a calm and structured environment. Patients can work through the issues that led them to drug addiction, and therapists can give them the tools necessary to live a drug-free life outside of the facility.

Nyquil withdrawals and addiction are almost identical to other drugs in its class like Robitussin and other cough and cold medicines. People who’ve become dependent and addicted to these medicines need help from trained professionals so they can achieve lifelong sobriety. Quitting cold turkey and alone is potentially dangerous, and the rates of success are much lower than if someone were to seek help from a detox and inpatient rehab center.

There are many individual factors which can influence the withdrawal process.

  • How long they’ve abuse Nyquil
  • If they are on other medications
  • How much Nyquil they abuse
  • If they are polydrug abusers
  • Overall mental and physical health
  • Metabolism, age, and weight

Despite the individual differences, anyone who wants to break their addiction can get help from a medical detox center and inpatient rehabilitation facility. Doctors and therapists are on-call 24/7 and treatment is tailor-made to the individual.

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