Can You Take DayQuil During Pregnancy?

 Abby McCoy Profile Photo
By Abby McCoy | Updated on Jan 4, 2024
Image for article Can You Take DayQuil During Pregnancy?

DayQuil can pep you up, dry you out and make you feel almost human in the midst of a nasty cold. During pregnancy, though, some DayQuil 1  ingredients may be problematic. 

DayQuil is made up of:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol): fairly safe during pregnancy, if taken short-term.

  • Dextromethorphan 2 : a cough suppressant found in Robitussin that’s been found to be safe during pregnancy.

  • Phenylephrine: found in decongestants like Sudafed PE. It can lower blood flow to the uterus and harm the baby.

You can take acetaminophen and cough suppressants while pregnant, but that pesky decongestant can cause some problems for your baby. If you’re miserably stuffed up, you can talk to your healthcare provider about pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that’s much safer. 

If you’d rather go the natural remedy 3 route, here are some pregnancy-safe treatments you can try at home:

  • Cool mist humidifier

  • Good hydration

  • Hot water and honey

  • Lots of sleep

  • Nasal saline sprays

  • Warm salt water gargle

Take this opportunity to pamper yourself—you deserve it!

Read Next: Your Definitive Guide to Pregnancy-Safe Cold & Flu Remedies

@expectful Questions about navigating cold and flu season with a baby on board? 🤧 We got you! #momwellness #safepregnancy #expectful #faq #healthandwellness #pregnancytok ♬ original sound - expectful

Pregnant woman holding her stomach on a bed with a plant in the background

Want evidence-based health & wellness advice for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum delivered to your inbox?

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Expectful uses only high-quality sources, including academic research institutions, medical associations, and subject matter experts.

  1. "DAYQUIL SEVERE COLD AND FLU"https://fda.report/DailyMed/fdf4ee2c-fab8-43a8-84e8-e6ff0d262e01.

  2. SaeRam Oh, Suneil Agrawal, Sarah Sabir, Alan Taylor. "Dextromethorphan"May 22, 2023https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538216/.

  3. Maria Montoya, MD "Which Cold & Flu Medication Is Safe to Take During Pregnancy?"Feb 4, 2022https://unmhealth.org/stories/2022/02/cold-flu-medicine-safe-during-pregnancy.html.


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Abby McCoy
Updated on Jan 4, 2024

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Can You Take DayQuil During Pregnancy?

 Abby McCoy Profile Photo
By Abby McCoy | Updated on Jan 4, 2024
Image for article Can You Take DayQuil During Pregnancy?

DayQuil can pep you up, dry you out and make you feel almost human in the midst of a nasty cold. During pregnancy, though, some DayQuil 1  ingredients may be problematic. 

DayQuil is made up of:

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol): fairly safe during pregnancy, if taken short-term.

  • Dextromethorphan 2 : a cough suppressant found in Robitussin that’s been found to be safe during pregnancy.

  • Phenylephrine: found in decongestants like Sudafed PE. It can lower blood flow to the uterus and harm the baby.

You can take acetaminophen and cough suppressants while pregnant, but that pesky decongestant can cause some problems for your baby. If you’re miserably stuffed up, you can talk to your healthcare provider about pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that’s much safer. 

If you’d rather go the natural remedy 3 route, here are some pregnancy-safe treatments you can try at home:

  • Cool mist humidifier

  • Good hydration

  • Hot water and honey

  • Lots of sleep

  • Nasal saline sprays

  • Warm salt water gargle

Take this opportunity to pamper yourself—you deserve it!

Read Next: Your Definitive Guide to Pregnancy-Safe Cold & Flu Remedies

@expectful Questions about navigating cold and flu season with a baby on board? 🤧 We got you! #momwellness #safepregnancy #expectful #faq #healthandwellness #pregnancytok ♬ original sound - expectful

Pregnant woman holding her stomach on a bed with a plant in the background

Want evidence-based health & wellness advice for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum delivered to your inbox?

Your privacy is important to us. By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Expectful uses only high-quality sources, including academic research institutions, medical associations, and subject matter experts.

  1. "DAYQUIL SEVERE COLD AND FLU"https://fda.report/DailyMed/fdf4ee2c-fab8-43a8-84e8-e6ff0d262e01.

  2. SaeRam Oh, Suneil Agrawal, Sarah Sabir, Alan Taylor. "Dextromethorphan"May 22, 2023https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538216/.

  3. Maria Montoya, MD "Which Cold & Flu Medication Is Safe to Take During Pregnancy?"Feb 4, 2022https://unmhealth.org/stories/2022/02/cold-flu-medicine-safe-during-pregnancy.html.


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