Can Dayquil and Hydroxyzine Cause Increased Urination? Side Effects

Can Dayquil and Hydroxyzine Cause Frequent Urination?

Frequent urination can be a frustrating and inconvenient symptom to deal with. You may find yourself getting up multiple times per night to use the bathroom or needing to urinate more often during the day. While there are various potential causes for increased urination, the medications you take could be contributing to this problem.

Two over-the-counter drugs that some people take for colds, allergies, anxiety or insomnia are Dayquil and hydroxyzine. Both of these medications can potentially lead to urinating more frequently as a side effect.

How Dayquil May Cause Frequent Urination

Dayquil is an over-the-counter cold and flu medication that is used to temporarily relieve symptoms like cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches. It contains the following active ingredients:

• Acetaminophen - a pain reliever and fever reducer
• Dextromethorphan - a cough suppressant
• Phenylephrine - a decongestant

While Dayquil does not directly have a diuretic effect, some of its ingredients may indirectly lead to increased urination:

Phenylephrine

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that works by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages. This helps reduce swelling and drainage from congestion.

However, phenylephrine is also a stimulant that can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Higher blood pressure means more blood flow through the kidneys, which filters out waste products into the urine.

Therefore, the stimulant actions of phenylephrine may indirectly cause more frequent urination.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is a widely used over-the-counter pain medication. At normal doses, increased urination is not a common side effect.

However, in very high doses, acetaminophen can be toxic to the liver. Liver injury and failure can lead to increased urination as the kidneys try to excrete more toxins and maintain fluid balance.

So while acetaminophen at Dayquil dosages is unlikely to affect urination, it's important not to exceed the recommended amounts.

How Hydroxyzine May Lead to Frequent Urination

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine medication that is used to treat allergic reactions, nausea, anxiety, insomnia and other conditions. The brand names are Vistaril and Atarax.

Hydroxyzine has several side effects that can cause increased urination:

Diuretic Effects

Hydroxyzine has mild diuretic properties, meaning it increases urine production and excretion of fluids from the body.

This effect is due to hydroxyzine's ability to inhibit the hormone antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Under normal conditions, ADH helps the kidneys retain water and concentrate the urine.

By blocking ADH, hydroxyzine leads to less water reabsorption in the kidneys, causing increased urination.

Sedating Effects

Hydroxyzine is sedating and can cause drowsiness as a side effect. Being in a deep sleep prevents awareness of a full bladder and the need to wake up to urinate.

People taking sedating medications like hydroxyzine may sleep through the night more soundly. But once awake in the morning, the bladder may feel very full, leading to urinating frequently to catch up.

Other Causes of Frequent Urination to Consider

While Dayquil and hydroxyzine can definitely cause urinary frequency, there are also many other potential causes to consider:

• Urinary tract infection
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Enlarged prostate
• Interstitial cystitis
• Caffeine or alcohol
• Chronic kidney disease
• Bladder cancer
• Neurological conditions

It's a good idea to see your doctor if you notice a persistent increase in urination frequency that does not seem connected to a medication you are taking. Other underlying medical conditions may need to be ruled out.

Ways to Reduce Frequent Urination from Medications

If you feel your Dayquil, hydroxyzine, or any other medication may be causing bothersome urinary frequency, here are some tips that may help:

• Drink less fluid before bedtime so the bladder empties and refills less overnight
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol which can irritate the bladder
• Ask your doctor if a lower dosage may reduce side effects
• Take the medication earlier in the day rather than at night
• Consider switching to a different medication in the same class that may be less likely to cause increased urination
• Practice pelvic floor exercises to help control urinary urges
• Get up to use the bathroom at least once overnight to avoid a distended bladder by morning

Making some simple lifestyle modifications and adjustments to your medications can often decrease bothersome urinary frequency without compromising your health or treatment.

The Bottom Line

Both Dayquil and hydroxyzine have the potential to increase urination frequency as a side effect. Dayquil contains decongestants and stimulants that may indirectly cause more urine output. Hydroxyzine has direct diuretic effects and sedating qualities that disrupt normal urine control.

However, many other conditions beyond medications can also lead to urinating more often. Having an evaluation by your doctor is a good idea to determine the cause and find solutions to reduce frequent daytime and nighttime urination.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.