my sister and I use to tease about using nyquil on my 2 boys when we were going on a vaction, and yes it was just a joke we used that line every time they were hyper and with my youngest that was all the time. My youngest was dx with ADHD and was put on folcolin, and concentra which did calm him way down but it didnt help with the academic aspect which was the main reason for me allowing him to take it, after neither drug helping with his academic i took him off the medicine. when the doctor asked why i didnt want him on it and just told him you no its a great baby sitter but it isnt helping with his school work so there for i did not want to put those harsh chemicals in his body.
there are more drugs and OTC drugs out there that we even realize that can be very harmful if misused, that is why we now have to show our ID's to purchase them.
Actually, it's less they're dangerous, and more that they can be used to make meth which has cause the restrictions in sales. If you follow the dossage instructions, they should be safe, especially if you get the pediatrician's or doctor's go-ahead first.