Before You Buy Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Nighttime

Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Nighttime is available to treat multiple symptoms of the cold and flu. It does contain a decongestant, unlike its competitor, NyQuil. It may be the right medication to treat the symptoms you are suffering from and help you get a good night's sleep.

Man sick in bed
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Active Ingredients (in each 15 ml tablespoon)

Acetaminophen 325 mg (pain reliever/fever reducer)
Dextromethorphan HBr 10 mg (cough suppressant)
Doxylamine succinate 6.25 mg (antihistamine)
Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg (decongestant)

Dosage and Directions

Adults and children over 12 years old: 2 tablespoons (30 ml) every 4 hours as needed. Do not take more than 10 tablespoons (5 doses) in 24 hours.

Children under 12 years old: Do not use this product, contains too much Tylenol and may cause liver damage.

Uses 

Temporary relief of cold and flu symptoms including:

  • Cough
  • Sore Throat
  • Headache
  • Minor Aches and Pain
  • Fever
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Nasal Congestion

Side Effects 

Drowsiness
Excitability may occur, especially in children (important to note this product should not be given to children under 12)

Warnings

Do not consume if you drink more than three alcoholic drinks a day. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage. Ask your healthcare provider if you should take acetaminophen if you regularly drink more than three alcoholic drinks per day.

Do not use with other medications containing acetaminophen. Do not use this medication if you are taking an monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which is medication for depression, psychiatric, emotional conditions or Parkinson's disease, or for two weeks after stopping an MAOI.

Sore throat warning: If you have a sore throat for more than 2 days or your sore throat is accompanied by fever, rash, headache, nausea or vomiting, consult a healthcare provider promptly.

Avoid this product under the following circumstances:

  • Pain, nasal congestion or cough worsens or lasts more than 7 days
  • Fever worsens or lasts more than 3 days
  • Redness or swelling is present in the area causing pain
  • New symptoms occur
  • Cough returns or occurs with a rash or headache that won't go away
  • Nervousness, dizziness or sleeplessness occur

Or if you have the following preexisting conditions:

  • If you have glaucoma
  • If you have a cough that produces a lot of mucus
  • If you have a breathing problem or chronic cough that is caused by asthma, smoking, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema
  • If you have trouble urinating because of an enlarged prostate
  • If you are taking sedatives or tranquilizers
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • If you have heart disease
  • If you have high blood pressure
  • If you have diabetes
  • If you have thyroid disease

Other Information

Do not take this product when you have to operate machinery, drive a vehicle or perform other tasks that require alertness.

Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom Nighttime is likely to make you very drowsy, be sure you can devote time to sleep before taking this product.

By Kristina Duda, RN
Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention.