The Unpleasant Taste of NyQuil
NyQuil is a medicine that adults, as well as some children, use to soothe a cold, or help them rest in cases of allergies and flu. Despite it’s beneficial properties, many have one issue that stands out- the taste.
Why Does NyQuil Taste So Bad?
NyQuil tastes bitter and sour, with an unpleasant medicinal and alcohol-like quality. The primary reason NyQuil is so hard to swallow lies in its main ingredients:
- Vicks Vapocool – an aromatic, menthol-based ingredient
- Dextromethorphan HBr – a cough suppressant
- Antihistamines – these provide a sedative and anti-itching effect
- Alcohol – NyQuil contains 10% alcohol
These ingredients interact and develop into a nasty taste. You can’t change the flavor of NyQuil, but you can make it more tolerable by eating foods that help to mask the taste.
How to Make NyQuil Tastier
If the taste of NyQuil is too strong, you can mix it with a tasty drink or food, such as:
- Ginger Ale
- Lemonade
- Orange Juice
- Coffee
- Apple or Grape Juice
- Ice Cream
- Yogurt
These options should help to make the taste of NyQuil more palatable. Simply mix some NyQuil with any of the options listed above, and take it as usual.
Takeaway
NyQuil’s unpleasant taste is largely due to its main ingredients. Although there is no way to truly change the flavor of NyQuil, you can make it more tolerable by mixing in tasty drinks and foods.
5. Are there any other medications on the market that have similar effects to Nyquil but have a more agreeable taste?
Yes, there are several over-the-counter medications that are similar to Nyquil with a more agreeable taste. These medications typically contain menthol, eucalyptus, and other natural extracts, and often come in flavored varieties such as grape, orange, cherry, and other fruit flavors. Examples of Nyquil-like products include DayQuil, Tylenol Cold + Flu, Advil Cold + Flu, and TheraFlu.