Does cannabis interact with NyQuil?

Cannabis and NyQuil are both commonly used to help ease discomfort and promote sleep. But taking them together may increase the risk of certain side effects, like drowsiness and confusion.

While a serious interaction between cannabis and NyQuil is unlikely, it’s still important to speak with your doctor or a Leafwell pharmacist before combining them.

What is NyQuil?

NyQuil is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that’s taken at night to help ease cold and flu symptoms so you can sleep more easily.

Some people also use NyQuil solely as a sleep aid. However, it may not be an effective treatment for insomnia in the long term.

How does NyQuil work?

NyQuil contains a combination of ingredients that work together:

• Acetaminophen: Helps reduce fever and ease minor aches and pains
• Doxylamine succinate: Helps relieve congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, and promotes sleep
• Dextromethorphan: Helps suppress coughing

NyQuil is considered to be a safe and effective treatment for cold and flu symptoms. However, it can also cause some side effects, such as:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Vision changes
• Anxiety
• Constipation
• Nausea

NyQuil contains acetaminophen, which is the generic name for Tylenol. Taking high doses of acetaminophen may cause liver damage.

Can you mix weed and NyQuil?

There’s limited research on how cannabis and NyQuil interact with each other. However, both cannabis and NyQuil can cause certain side effects, such as:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Anxiety

Combining them may increase the risk of these side effects.

Smoking or vaporizing cannabis may also irritate your throat, potentially negating the cough-suppressing and pain-relieving effects of NyQuil.

Cannabis may inhibit the amount of enzymes in your liver that help break down or metabolize certain ingredients in NyQuil, including dextromethorphan. This may make the effects of NyQuil stronger and longer-lasting.

Speak with your doctor before combining cannabis and NyQuil.

Can you take CBD and NyQuil together?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis. It’s widely used to help with certain health conditions, such as:

• Pain
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Inflammation

CBD is one of several cannabis compounds that can inhibit liver enzymes that help your body metabolize NyQuil. This may cause NyQuil’s effects to last longer and increase the risk of certain side effects.

Combining CBD and NyQuil may also increase the risk of side effects like drowsiness or dizziness.

Ask your doctor if it’s safe to use CBD and NyQuil together.

Potential benefits of combining weed and NyQuil

If you’re considering taking cannabis and NyQuil together for enhanced relief, it’s important to weigh the benefits against the risks of combining them, especially since both products may cause sedation.

That said, the potential benefits of combining cannabis and NyQuil include:

• Improved sleep: Both cannabis and NyQuil may help you fall asleep more quickly. However, combining them can make you more likely to feel groggy or tired the next day.
• Reduced inflammation: Both cannabis and NyQuil can help lower inflammation. This may help ease some cold and flu symptoms, including sore throat, muscle aches, and headache. But smoking or vaporizing cannabis may irritate your throat, negating some of NyQuil’s effects.

It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider or Leafwell pharmacist before taking cannabis and NyQuil together.

How to take NyQuil and weed

A healthcare professional can help you come up with a safe dosing plan for NyQuil and cannabis. You can also consider these safety tips:

• Be careful with dosing: Start out with the lowest possible dosage of both cannabis and NyQuil. Slowly increase each dose, under your doctor’s supervision, until you achieve the desired results.
• Time each dose wisely: To help minimize the risk of side effects, time each dose of NyQuil and cannabis wisely. NyQuil can take effect in 30 minutes and last for 4 to 6 hours. Inhaled cannabis can take effect in 15 minutes and last for 2 to 3 hours. Cannabis edibles can take effect in 2 hours and last for 8 to 10 hours.
• Consider your other medications: If you take any other medications or supplements for your health, ask your doctor if they’re safe to combine with cannabis and NyQuil.
• Limit inhaled cannabis products: If you’re using NyQuil to help treat a sore throat, opt for cannabis formulations that won’t worsen throat irritation. You may want to try edibles or tinctures.

The takeaway: Combining weed and NyQuil may increase some side effect risks

Taking cannabis and NyQuil together is unlikely to cause serious side effects. Still, it may increase the risk of certain side effects, including confusion, drowsiness, and dizziness.

That said, combining them may offer some benefits, including anti-inflammatory and sleep-promoting effects.

For personalized guidance on mixing cannabis and NyQuil, speak with your doctor or a Leafwell pharmacist. They can help you find a dosing plan that’s both safe and effective.

Resources

• Acetaminophen. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548162/
• Cannabidiol, a major phytocannabinoid, as a potent atypical inhibitor for CYP2D6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21821735/
• Cannabinoid interactions with cytochrome P450 drug metabolism: A full-spectrum characterization. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34181150/
• Drug development and drug interactions: Table of substrates, inhibitors and inducers. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-interactions-labeling/drug-development-and-drug-interactions-table-substrates-inhibitors-and-inducers
• Medical cannabis activity against inflammation: Active compounds and modes of action. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.908198/full
• Recent legalization of cannabis: Effects on sleep, health, and workplace safety. https://www.dovepress.com/recent-legalization-of-cannabis-use-effects-on-sleep-health-and-workpl-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-NSS

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