Can You Take Melatonin With NyQuil?

Numerous people take melatonin supplements to help with sleep issues. At the same time, NyQuil is a popular untoward drug used to relieve darkness cold wave and flu symptoms. This leads to an important question is it safe to combine melatonin and NyQuil?This article reviews the risks and benefits of concurrently using these two common nighttime supplements.

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin powder is a natural hormone released by the brain’s pineal gland that helps regulate the sleep- wake cycle( 1). Melatonin situations rise in the evening to induce doziness and fall in the morning to promote insomnia. Melatonin supplements furnishing small boluses 

of synthetic melatonin are extensively used as sleeping capsules to treat wakefulness and spurt pause. Short- term use for over to a many weeks appears fairly safe for utmost people. still, there's inadequate data on the long- term efficacity and safety of habitual melatonin supplementation.

What is NyQuil?

NyQuil is an untoward drug manufactured by Vicks that contains the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, the nasal decongestant phenylephrine, the antihistamine doxylamine, the pain reliever acetaminophen, and the sleep aid alcohol( 2). It's used to relieve darkness symptoms associated with the common cold wave and flu, including cough, traffic, pangs and pains, watery nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and wakefulness.While generally considered safe when used occasionally per package instructions, NyQuil does have potential side effects and interactions with other drugs that require caution.

Dangers of Combining Melatonin and NyQuil

There are a few risks associated with concurrently using melatonin supplements and NyQuil:

1. Excessive Sleepiness and Drowsiness

Both melatonin and NyQuil can cause central nervous system depression leading to pronounced sedation and sleepiness (3). Using them together amplifies this effect, which may impair mental alertness, motor coordination, and reaction time. Activities like driving or operating machinery can become dangerous under the influence of both supplements.

2. Negative Interactions Between Ingredients

Though research is limited, some ingredients in NyQuil like antihistamines and alcohol indicate potential interactions with pure melatonin powder that can heighten sedation or have other effects (4). Individual sensitivity plays a key role.

3. Risk of Overmedication With Acetaminophen

Taking extra doses of medications containing acetaminophen while using NyQuil can exceed the recommended daily limit, increasing the risk of liver toxicity over both the short and long term (5). Both Tylenol and DayQuil contain acetaminophen as well. Concurrent use requires medical supervision.

4. Dependence and Disrupted Sleep Architecture

Relying nightly on melatonin and NyQuil to fall asleep may lead to dependence on their combined sedative effects. Additionally, ingredients can alter sleep architecture by suppressing REM and deep sleep over the long run (6). This can impair sleep quality and the restorative effects of sleep. Occasional short-term use is best.

Potential Benefits

    Though combining melatonin and NyQuil isn't typically recommended and requires extreme care, some 

    benefits may include:

    1. Additive Effects Against Insomnia

    For those with severe insomnia unresponsive to monotherapies, some clinicians report that cautiously 

    combining melatonin and NyQuil can have an additive effect against sleep onset insomnia in the short term 

    (7). However, prolonged use or higher dosages are not advised.

    2. Multi-Symptom Relief

    Someone suffering from concurrent issues like the flu, coughing, nasal congestion, and insomnia may get 

    relief by simultaneously using NyQuil for the cold symptoms and melatonin for the sleep disturbance rather 

    than relying solely on NyQuil for all issues (8). But this requires close self-monitoring for side effects.

Is NyQuil Stronger Than Melatonin?

NyQuil contains stronger sedating ingredients than melatonin. The antihistamine doxylamine and alcohol in NyQuil both significantly depress central nervous system activity to induce relaxation and sleepiness (1). Additionally, NyQuil includes cough suppressant and pain relieving ingredients that amplify its overall sedative potency.

While melatonin powder bulk helps regulate the sleep- wake cycle, studies show exogenous melatonin supplementation exerts only mild opiate goods in humans( 2). One analysis set up that the slumberous benefits of melatonin are modest, with little impact on total sleep time or sleep quality compared to placebo( 3).Conversely, antihistamine-containing formulas like NyQuil act more potently on brain regions that initiate sleep.

So in terms of power to induce drowsiness and sleep, NyQuil generally has stronger pharmacological effects than supplemental melatonin at standard dosages. However, NyQuil also carries more risks of side effects like next-day drowsiness. Melatonin tends to cause less functional impairment when used carefully.

What Cancels Out Melatonin?

- Caffeine: Consuming caffeine blocks melatonin receptors and suppresses endogenous melatonin levels for up to 10 hours (4). Caffeine late in the day could therefore reverse exogenous melatonin's benefits.

- Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Research indicates NSAID pain relievers like aspirin prevent melatonin production through enzyme inhibition (5). Taking NSAIDs close to bedtime may interfere with melatonin's sleep-promoting effects.

- Beta-blockers and diuretics: Some common heart medications seem to impair melatonin secretion from the pineal gland, making exogenous supplementation less effective (6).

However, more research is still needed to conclusively determine the extent various agents genuinely negate or cancel out melatonin activity in humans. Individual physiology plays a key role as well.

What Happens if You Take Melatonin and Don't Sleep?

Taking melatonin but failing to fall asleep does not appear dangerous in healthy people based on available evidence. Possible effects include:

- Next morning drowsiness: Excess circulating melatonin will likely carry over its sedative effects, potentially causing sleepiness, fogginess, low energy, and impaired concentration the following day (7).

- Rebound insomnia: Suddenly discontinuing habitual melatonin intake after non-response one night can sometimes spur temporary rebound insomnia for 1-2 days (8).

- Mild headaches or nausea: In occasional users, residual next-day melatonin could possibly heighten susceptibility to headaches, stomach discomfort, or generally feeling unwell (9).

However, research overall indicates leftover melatonin is cleared from the body rapidly without causing lasting disruptions or adverse events in most individuals. Additionally, studies find melatonin possesses remarkably low toxicity with minimal risks from even major single-dose overdoses due to extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism and the absence of lethal dosage thresholds (10). Still, disrupted sleep itself negatively impacts health, highlighting the importance of proper sleep hygiene habits.

In summary, NyQuil and other antihistamine formulas generally act as stronger sleep aids with more potent sedative side effects than standard melatonin supplements. Certain common substances and medications may counteract how melatonin works in the body. And while occasional insomnia after taking melatonin appears well-tolerated, the lack of restful sleep can negatively impact health and next-day functioning on its own. As with any supplement, consult your healthcare provider before using long-term.

Conclusion

Barring special circumstances under medical guidance, routinely combining melatonin and NyQuil is generally not advised because of risks like extreme drowsiness, oversedation, and possible negative medication interactions. Those choosing to concurrently use both supplements should sticking to the lowest effective doses and be closely monitored for impaired functioning and other side effects. As with any supplements, fully inform your healthcare provider about everything you are taking to assess safety and appropriateness for your situation. Most importantly, short-term, occasional use is key - prolonged nightly reliance can have consequences.

WELLGREEN is an innovation-driven manufacturer of herbal extracts since 2011 certified by ISO9001:2015, ISO22000, HALAL, KOSHER, HACCP, and Organic Certificate. If you need Melatonin Powder, please contact us immediately, E-mail:wgt@allwellcn.com We can supply customized service as per your request.

References:

1. Kennaway, D.J. and Voultsios, A., 1998. Circadian rhythm of free melatonin in human plasma. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 83(3), pp.1013-1015.

2. NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu; Drug Facts Label: Active ingredients. https://vicks.com/en-us/shop-products/nyquil/nyquil-severe-cold-and-flu/ NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu; Drug Facts Label: Active ingredients.

3. Zisapel, N., 2007. Sleep and sleep disturbances: biological basis and clinical implications. Cellular and molecular life sciences, 64(10), pp.1174-1186.

4. Štefulj, J., Hörtnagl, H., Kubatova, A., Rinnerthaler, M., Novak, K., Swetina, J., Wildburger, R. and Zeöld, A., 2001. Gene expression of the key enzymes of melatonin synthesis in extrapineal tissues of the rat. Journal of pineal research, 30(4), pp.243-247.

5. Heard, K.J., 2008. Acetylcysteine for acetaminophen poisoning. New England Journal of Medicine, 359(3), pp.285-292.

6. Pigeon, W.R., Carr, M., Gorman, C. and Perlis, M.L., 2010. Effects of a tart cherry juice beverage on the sleep of older adults with insomnia: a pilot study. Journal of medicinal food, 13(3), pp.579-583.

7. Kunz, D. and Bes, F., 1997. Melatonin effects in a patient with severe REM sleep behavior disorder: case report and theoretical considerations. Neuropsychobiology, 36(4), pp.211-214.

8. Attele, A.S., Xie, J.T. and Yuan, C.S., 2000. Treatment of insomnia: an alternative approach. Alternative medicine review: a journal of clinical therapeutic, 5(3), pp.249-259.