Nightime Pain Relievers and Cold Medication

[ApRiLGeTsAngry77]

Hey all

Whenever I take a pm medication such as tylenol pm or Nyquil- I get wired. Instead of putting me to sleep it wires me. I know the sleep aid in it is usually just benadryl, but was wondering if anyone else has had this experience?

[Shanna707]

Just wanted to share that I have the exact reaction to benadryl too.  It is not highly common, but sometimes people have opposite reactions to a medication than what it is intended for.  Usually in this case it's considered an adverse reaction and the drug should be avoided.

[ApRiLGeTsAngry77]

Thanks for sharing. I have ADHD so might be on to something there.

[KatyFBee]

Hey April,
  I have the same reaction to Benadryl.  And Nyquil makes my heart race.  I've been told that it is common in young kids to react this way, but not adults.  I am 52 and I still react that way.  I have ADD and some doctors have told me that this reaction is typical of ADD.  This is not a medical opinion.  Just my experiences.  

[ApRiLGeTsAngry77]

Thanks and I will be sure to talk to my doctor about it. The reason Benadryl can have personality side effects for you is because Benadryl has sedative properties. Because of this, Benadryl can be used in a pinch to relieve anxiety symptoms. I favor the dye free kind.

[ILADVOCATE]

Yes I've had this experience with Benadryl alone. It has personality altering side effects for me though I'm not sure why and I was on conventional antipsychotics and mood stabilizers at the time. I do know it effects some people I know in that manner but I'm not sure why. If you have that effect from any medication you could ask your psychiatrist about what other options are that would be safe and he could discuss it with your doctor.

[Xila31]

In my particular experiance with cold and cough medications, Nyquil is the same as all the others. When I am sick it doesn't matter what type of cold medicine I take, they knock me out. Nyquil doesn't do it any more or less, and if I am not very sick at all it has no effect on me other than releiving cold symptoms like stuffy head. But I can take any over the counter medication for the same thing. My husband, however, gets knocked out by Nyquil.

As for non-cold sleep aids, I have never used one.

If your doctor says you are allergic, then be careful.

[ApRiLGeTsAngry77]

I have discussed it with my pharmacy. I also discussed it with my doctor and she suggested I could have an allergy to the sleep aid used in the medication. I was just curious if I was the only one that had this issue. Would like to hear about other people's experiences with the medication mentioned.

[Xila31]

I say that if you have any concerns about medications to talk it over with a doctor or pharmacist. Everyone reacts differently to medicines, and there maybe be a low percent side effect for what you are experiancing. Also, Nyquil does have some alcohol in it so make sure it is not interacting with another medication you are taking. I have been on medications before that require you do not take in any alcohol whatsoever, including cough syrup and mouth wash.