Advil (Ibuprofen) vs. DayQuil: Which Should You Take?

Ibuprofen (known as brand name Advil and Motrin) as well as DayQuil (acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, and Phenylephrine) are two of the most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. They are used to treat discomfort, fever and other symptoms of common flu or cold.

Both are highly effective. They are however U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for various uses (uses).

DayQuil is an encapsulated medication with various active components. It is a combination drug that contains dextromethorphan, aceta and phenylephrine. All of these are recommended for the management of symptoms of cold and pain. Ibuprofen brands are designed to treat inflammation and pain specifically.

Should You Take DayQuil or Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen and DayQuil are drugs of different classes with distinct mechanisms of action, offering different forms of relief. Ibuprofen acts as an NSAID while DayQuil’s primary ingredient acetaminophen acts as an analgesic. Additionally, this combination product may help relieve cold symptoms as well.1

Both medications can be found over-the-counter for pain relief, fever reduction and to treat common cold symptoms; however, each has been FDA-approved for different indications.

DayQuil is often an effective choice when treating a common cold. The combination of acetaminophen, dextromethorphan and phenylephrine works wonders in relieving symptoms such as fever and pain while also improving coughs, bronchial irritation and sore throats.2
DailyMed lists Vicks Dayquil Cold and Flu Medicine with Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride liquid as its active ingredients.

Ibuprofen may help reduce pain and fever, but is ineffective against congestion and runny nose.

However, when treating fever or pain associated with arthritis, muscle soreness, menstrual cramps or other medical conditions like menstruation, Ibuprofen is the ideal medication to use as it provides more powerful relief from inflammation, swelling and pain.

What Is DayQuil?

DayQuil is widely used OTC product, has proven to be extremely effective in treating common flu and cold symptoms. It’s a combination medication with active ingredients and various mechanisms of action to help ease the signs.

National Institutes of Health DailyMed. label: Vicks DayQuil severe cold and flu acetaminophen dextromethorphan, guaifenesin and phenylephrine solution.

DayQuil can be purchased in a variety of combinations and dosages, like capsules, solutions and pills. There are various formulations of DayQuil that contain a mixture of active substances:

Acetaminophen: an antipyretic (fever reduction) and analgesic (pain reliever)
Dextromethorphan: effective cough reliever .
Phenylephrine, an anti-nasal diuretic
Guaifenesin is an expectorant for cough that decreases the thickness of mucus and make it easier to cough.

Guaifenesin must be taken in conjunction with a large amount of water in order to work effectively in reducing mucus. Drink a large glass of water prior to taking any form of medicine that has guaifenesin included in its ingredient.

DayQuil is intended to be consumed during the time of day. It’s non-drowsy and will not affect your daily activities. It is however recommended to be patient and learn what the effects of this drug are on your body before performing any tasks that require a lot of concentration or attention.

In September 2023 In September 2023, the FDA found phenylephrine’s oral form to be ineffective for alleviating congestion. However, this doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to use the current products available that contain the ingredient phenylephrine. However, it does not cause a stuffy nose.

If you’re seeking solutions to ease your congestion, think about alternatives, like nasal sprays or pseudoephedrine that contain Phenylephrine.

What Is Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) taken as an analgesic as well as an antipyretic drug for children and adults. It’s the most widely used and frequently prescribed NSAID. It reduces producing prostaglandins that are which is a chemical that can cause inflammation as well as fever and inflammation.

Ibuprofen is often taken to temporarily relieve:

.Headaches
.Toothaches
.Backaches
.Menstrual cramps
.The common cold
.Muscular
.Arthritis aches

Ibuprofen is sold under several brands, including Advil, Motrin, Motrin IB and Midol. It’s also available as a mix of active ingredients including Advil PM (diphenhydramine and ibuprofen) and Duexis (famotidine and Ibuprofen).

Yes you can take ibuprofen and dayquil together. There are no studies to suggest that these medications can harm each other. However, spreading the doses to give longer pain relief is recommended.

Ibuprofen along with DayQuil are both safe and effective when taken in accordance with the instructions on the label. But, as with all medicines, there are restrictions when it comes to adverse effects.

These two drugs are both free of adverse effects that usually are able to be cured. In rare instances you might require medical care.

Side Effects of Ibuprofen
Some common side effects include:
.Headache
.Nausea
.Feeling dizzy or faint
.Vomiting
.Indigestion
.Constipation
.Diarrhea
.Gas or bloating

There are however some serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Contact your doctor in case you experience:

.Allergic reactions
.Acute liver and kidney disease
.Blurred vision
.Bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways)
.Black-colored stool
.Blood or a black, tarry substance in vomit
.Confusion
.Heart failure
.Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels)
.Fluid retention or swelling in the ankles
.Severe headache and neck stiffness
.Tightness in the chest
.Do not use ibuprofen after 20 weeks of pregnancy, which can harm the fetus.11

.Dizziness
.Nausea
.Vomiting
.Sleeplessness
DayQuil may also cause some more severe side effects, such as allergic reactions. Stop taking the medicine and seek emergency medical help. The symptoms include:14

.Skin reddening
..Blisters
.Rash
Acetaminophen in DayQuil can also cause liver damage. Take caution when drinking alcohol while taking DayQuil.

Certain drugs may react with one another when used together, and could result in adverse reactions. It is not secure without consulting a medical expert.

Here are some information about the drugs that could interfere when used together with ibuprofen or DayQuil. Talk to your healthcare professional for advice if you’re taking another OTC or prescription medications

Ask your physician for advice prior to taking ibuprofen if are taking any of these medications.

.Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin
.Aspirin
.NSAIDs such as Naprosyn (naproxen)
.Oral steroids such as dexamethasone, Medrol (methylprednisolone), and Rayos (prednisone)
.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Celexa (citalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Brisdelle (paroxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline)
.Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor XR (venlafaxine).

DayQuil is a blend of active ingredients to combat common symptoms of flu and cold. It contains Acetaminophen (a pain reliever and fever reducer) and dextromethorphan (a suppression of cough) and Phenylephrine (a anti-congestant).

However, ibuprofen is an NSAID used to treat inflammation and pain.

They are typically used for fever, pain and management of flu. The difference is that DayQuil contains more effective medications that have been approved by the FDA to treat flu-related symptoms like sore throat, cough and bronchial inflammation.

As compared to ibuprofen or DayQuil The latter is the preferred drug for the common flu and cold.