'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABeAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQgQAAIBBAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEEiEFBxEGAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBREAAgMAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAAxEEITH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AJ/z3Pxy9G89fx2aI3F3OTKrYCVEjE7Z6JclvNVkMdg384ErQWxMgyJMI93vfhFKVKSipuPTqA4vUG1i4BJ32f/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dayquil is a medicine for colds and flu and contains active ingredients such as dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and acetaminophen. This combination medication is generally used to treat stuffy nose, cough, body aches, and other symptoms, including nasal congestion, fever, headache, and sore throat.
While Dayquil is an effective medication used to treat symptoms caused by flu, common cold, sinusitis, and bronchitis, is it safe to use while pregnant?
Read on to learn more about Dayquil, its dosage and whether you can take it during pregnancy or not.
How does Dayquil work?
Acetaminophen, an active ingredient in this medicine, is a pain reliever and fever reducer that basically works by changing the way your body senses pain and regulates its temperature.
The second ingredient, dextromethorphan, helps your urge to cough and offers relaxation. Phenylephrine, on the other hand, acts as a nasal decongestant and helps reduce swelling in the nasal passage.
Can you take Dayquil while pregnant?
Taking dayquil while pregnant is generally effective and safe, however, you should only consume it during the day. The active ingredients in this medicine, i.e., dextromethorphan, phenylephrine, and acetaminophen are all safe to treat common colds and occasional headaches during pregnancy.
However, you should talk to your doctor about the correct dosage of Dayquil to prevent any possible side effects.
Before taking any medication for cold and flu, make sure to get a thumbs up from your gynecologist to ensure everything’s safe for you and your baby.
Safe cold medications to consider during pregnancy
There are various other common cold medications that are considered safe during pregnancy. But it is best to speak with your healthcare provider about the brands and types of medications that are safe to take.
If you have a cold or flu during pregnancy, you must avoid multiple-symptom medications. These include painkillers, cough suppressants, expectorants, and decongestants. All of these can lead to side effects and affect the growth of your baby.
You should always take medication that is effective at curing the particular symptoms that you are having. The good news is that there are different over-the-counter drugs that are considered safe to treat colds and flu in pregnancy.
Some of the best ones include:
- Acetaminophen-based medication to cure minor pains and fever
- Anesthetic cough drops including cepacol lozenges and chloraseptic
- Combination of dextromethorphan and guaifenesin medications
- Dextromethorphan containing cough syrups
- Vicks, mentholatum ointment, and other menthol-based rubs
While the aforementioned medications are generally considered safe during pregnancy, they should always be taken as prescribed by the doctor.
Also, when buying over-the-counter medicines for flu and cold, you must always read the label and check the ingredients listed as there may be some that you should avoid and others that you might not need. It is best to talk to a doctor to determine which medicine would be safe for your specific trimester.
