Pseudoephedrine Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD (2024)

FAQs

Does pseudoephedrine interact with anything? ›

Pseudoephedrine can be affected by other medicines and can also affect the way other medicines work. This can sometimes increase the chances of you having side effects. Check with a pharmacist or doctor if you're taking: antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Pseudoephedrine may be more likely to cause side effects in infants, especially newborn and premature infants, than in older children and adults. Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age.

Pseudoephedrine works by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose, but it also narrows the blood vessels in other parts of your body. This can increase your blood pressure and your heart rate. If you have any heart problems or you're worried about this, speak to a pharmacist or doctor about a different treatment.

Older adults need to be educated when taking pseudoephedrine in conjunction with other proarrythmic medications such as beta-blockers or digoxin due to an increased risk of arrhythmia. Seizures, hallucinations, chronic headaches, and insomnia can also occur with long-term use.

Contraindications to pseudoephedrine use are hypersensitivity to the drug, cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and coronary artery disease), impaired function of organs responsible for elimination of the drug (severe liver dysfunction, moderate or severe renal dysfunction), hyperthyroidism, narrow-angle glaucoma, ...

Saline spray or a saline nasal wash

Mucus buildup in your sinus passages is never fun, and Linnebur says these remedies should be the first choice of relief for older adults.

A 2006 law had forced the move because pseudoephedrine can be illegally processed into methamphetamine.

Antihistamines. Dr. Purvi Parikh, the national spokesperson for the Allergy & Asthma Network, an advocacy group, said that she usually does not recommend pseudoephedrine to her patients because of its effects on blood pressure. Instead, she recommends oral antihistamines like Zyrtec, Allegra and Claritin.

Ones containing pseudoephedrine are being reviewed because they may cause vessels supplying the brain to contract or spasm, reducing blood flow. The concern is this could lead to seizures and even a stroke. However, drug regulators stress the likelihood of this happening is extremely low.

Why was Sudafed taken off the market? ›

The Combat Methamphetamine Act of 2005 moved pseudoephedrine, which is quite effective for the temporary relief of nasal congestion, behind the counter of U.S. pharmacies. Pseudoephedrine was being used to produce illicit methamphetamines, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) wanted to limit its access.

You can take pseudoephedrine for a few days, usually up to 5 to 7 days, for the short-term relief of a stuffy or blocked nose. Only take it for longer than 7 days if a doctor has said it's OK. Pseudoephedrine should not be given to children aged 6 to 11 years for more than 5 days unless their doctor has said it is OK.

Substitution of phenylephrine for pseudoephedrine as a nasal decongestant.

Nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, dizziness, headache, or nervousness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor promptly if you have dizziness, nervousness, or trouble sleeping.

Indeed, millions of people use it each year without any dire consequences. That doesn't mean it's risk free. Over the years, there have been reports of heart attacks, strokes, disturbed heart rhythms, and other cardiovascular problems linked with use of pseudoephedrine.

Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication.

No interactions were found between pseudoephedrine and Tylenol.

Ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine combination is used to relieve symptoms of cold or flu, including body aches and pains, fever, headache, or stuffy nose. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used in this combination to relieve inflammation, swelling, and pain.

Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) are both over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can help with allergy symptoms. They work in different ways: Sudafed is a decongestant, and Zyrtec is an antihistamine. You can take Sudafed and Zyrtec together, as long as it's safe for you to take either one alone.