Is there alcohol in NyQuil gelcaps?

No, I don’t think so.

On the Vicks website for the NyQuil liquid medicine it says the inactive ingredients include “acesulfame potassium, alcohol, citric acid, D&C Yellow 10, FD&C Green 3, FD&C Yellow 6, flavor, high fructose corn syrup, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, purified water, saccharin sodium, sodium citrate.”

On the inactive ingredient list for the gel caps it lists “D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Blue No. 1, gelatin, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, povidone, propylene glycol, purified water, sorbitol special, titanium dioxide,” but no mention of alcohol.
(source)

According to Vicks the ingredients for their Liquicaps are as follows:
Active Ingredients (in each LiquiCap) (Purpose)
Acetaminophen 325 mg (Pain reliever)
Doxylamine succinate 6.25 mg (Antihistamine)
Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg (Nasal decongestant)
Inactive indredients: FD&C Blue No. 1, gelatin, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, povidone, propylene glycol, purified water, sorbitol special, titanium dioxide

The ingredients for the regular Nyquil are:
Active Ingredients (in each 15 ml tablespoon) (Purpose)
Acetaminophen 325 mg (Pain reliever/fever reducer)
Dextromethorphan HBr 15 mg (Cough suppressant)
Doxylamine succinate 6.25 mg (Antihistamine)
Inactive Ingredients:
Soothing Original: acesulfame potassium, alcohol, citric acid, D&C Yellow 10, FD&C Green 3, FD&C Yellow 6, flavor, high fructose corn syrup, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, purified water, saccharin sodium, sodium citrate
Soothing Cherry: acesulfame potassium, alcohol, citric acid, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Red 40, flavor, high fructose corn syrup, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, purified water, saccharin sodium, sodium citrate

So in comparing the to, no, alcohol is not listed in the liquicaps.

So then it’s safe to assume that the doxylamine succinate in the liquicaps (not gelcaps, oops. Same thing durnit) is what helps you sleep, whereas the liquid form uses both the doxylamine and the alcohol. Which is the reason why you feel so drugged from a dose of the liquid, but not from the liquicaps.

?

and why did my stupid butt not check Vicks first? Ugh.

@poofandmook Yes, Doxylamine succinate is what causes the drowsiness in the liquicaps. I’m sure the alcohol in the liquid just helps intensify the effect.

wooo.. I know more than daddy the smartypants nurse!

Or rather, you guys do because you were smart enough to check the manufacturer’s website. Thanks!