Help please?

[schoolbus22]

Can you take zzzquil with nyquil? zzzquil contains 50mg of diphenhydramine HCl.

 

[tentram]

you could, but why combine two separate anti-histamines when you can simply increase the dose of one. personally i get less unwanted side effects from doxylamine succinate so i'd just use the nyquil. is there a particular reason you're wanting to combine the two?

combining them both is using two CNS depressants, as well as dextromethorphan which = extra sedation so be cautious with dosing and adding any other depressants with them. it's also increasing the likelihood of delirium from the combination of all three of those drugs which can (and will be) quite uncomfortable and uneasy, unless you're into that kinda thing.

 

[tricomb]

other drugs to basic drug discussion.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Why are you wanting to take them together and how much are you planning on taking?

ZzzQuil contains diphenhydramine HCI, and NyQuil Cold/Flu Multisymptom Relief (I'm assuming that's the type you have and not one of the other formulations?) contains acetaminophen, dextromethorphan (DXM), and doxylamine succinate. They both have sedative effects.


A drug interaction checker says:

ZzzQuil should NOT be used with other antihistamine products, NyQuil, or medicines containing diphenhydramine.

Of course it would be nice if they could fully explain why so we can decide how much of a risk it is and whether there is a way to combine them more safely. My assumption would be it's because they will increase each others effects as they are both CNS depressants. I'd avoid it personally.

I agree with tentram:

combining them both is using two CNS depressants, as well as dextromethorphan which = extra sedation so be cautious with dosing and adding any other depressants with them. it's also increasing the likelihood of delirium from the combination of all three of those drugs which can (and will be) quite uncomfortable and uneasy, unless you're into that kinda thing.

 

[tentram]

A drug interaction checker says:

ZzzQuil should NOT be used with other antihistamine products, NyQuil, or medicines containing diphenhydramine.

Of course it would be nice if they could fully explain why so we can decide how much of a risk it is and whether there is a way to combine them more safely. My assumption would be it's because they will increase each others effects as they are both CNS depressants. I'd avoid it personally.

which interaction checker did you use? i'm interested in hearing more as well, i mean, they wouldn't want to expand too much further now would they? at a guess most likely due to synergism between the drugs causing extra sedation and delirium setting in, as you said.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

I can't remember now, but drugs.com says the same thing. It also says:

diphenhydramine ↔ doxylamine
INTERACTION: moderate!

MONITOR: Agents with anticholinergic properties (e.g., sedating antihistamines; antispasmodics; neuroleptics; phenothiazines; skeletal muscle relaxants; tricyclic antidepressants; disopyramide) may have additive effects when used in combination. Excessive parasympatholytic effects may result in paralytic ileus, hyperthermia, heat stroke, and the anticholinergic intoxication syndrome. Peripheral symptoms of intoxication commonly include mydriasis, blurred vision, flushed face, fever, dry skin and mucous membranes, tachycardia, urinary retention, and constipation. Central symptoms may include memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, hallucinations, psychosis, delirium, hyperactivity, twitching or jerking movements, stereotypy, and seizures. Central nervous system-depressant effects may also be additively or synergistically increased when these agents are combined, especially in elderly or debilitated patients. Use of neuroleptics in combination with other neuroleptics or anticholinergic agents may increase the risk of tardive dyskinesia.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised when agents with anticholinergic properties are combined, particularly in the elderly and those with underlying organic brain disease, who tend to be more sensitive to the central anticholinergic effects of these drugs and in whom toxicity symptoms may be easily overlooked. Patients should be advised to notify their physician promptly if they experience potential symptoms of anticholinergic intoxication such as abdominal pain, fever, heat intolerance, blurred vision, confusion, and/or hallucinations. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them. A reduction in anticholinergic dosages may be necessary if excessive adverse effects develop.