Allergy and cold
NyQuil and other night-time cold products and your FAA medical
Combination cold product with a sedating antihistamine
Other names: NyQuil, Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold, Theraflu Nighttime
FAA guidance
Do not fly while taking it.
Wait
At least 5 dosage intervals after the last dose (over-the-counter guide)
FAA label
NO GO
The FAA's over-the-counter guide marks Coricidin HBP cough & cold, which it says contains chlorpheniramine, and Nyquil, which it says contains doxylamine, as No Go, among the products to avoid, which it says can cause incapacitation.
Track your medicationsMore detail: NyQuil and other night-time cold productsThe rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen
It says most "night-time" or "PM" medications contain a sedating antihistamine. The guide says that if the label states PM (for nighttime use), you should not fly while using these medications and for at least 5 dosage intervals after the last dose.
The FAA's allergy sheet speaks to doxylamine on its own; that has its own entry.
Show the FAA's words: NyQuil and other night-time cold productsThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
AVOID
These can cause incapacitation.
NO GO
Coricidin HBP cough & cold (contains chlorpheniramine), Nyquil (contains doxylamine). Most “night-time” or “PM” medications contain a sedating antihistamine.
If the label states PM (for nighttime use) or DM (containing dextromethorphan), you should not fly while using these medications and for at least 5 dosage intervals after the last dose (see Dosage Interval Timetable).