Pseudoephedrine
Brand Names
PseudoephedrineWhat is Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that can be found in many different medications. It is available either as pseudoephedrine sulfate or pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (there are no important differences between them).
Side effects of Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine may cause the following side effects:
- restlessness
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
- headache
- nervousness
- dizziness
- difficulty sleeping
- stomach pain
- difficulty breathing
- fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat
Indication
Pseudoephedrine is used for the following purposes:
- Relieving nasal congestion due to allergies (such as hay fever) or the common cold
- Relieving sinus congestion and pressure
- Promoting nasal and sinus draining
Precautions
It is obligatory to inform you doctor before taking pseudoephedrine if you have:
- Glaucoma
- Difficult passing urine
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart disease
- An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- An enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes or preservatives
- Are pregnant, want to be pregnant or breastfeeding
Dosage forms
Pseudoephedrine dose for young children
The recommended pseudoephedrine dose for children aged 6-11 is 30 mg every 4-6 hours, not to exceed 4 doses in 24 hours. For children aged 4-5, the recommended dose is 15 mg every 4-6 hours, not to exceed 4 doses in 24 hours. It is not recommended to use this medicine in children younger than 4 years old.
Pseudoephedrine dose for adults and older children
The recommended dosage for immediate-release pseudoephedrine tablets in adults and children ages 12 and older is 2 tablets (a total of 60 mg) every 4-6 hours, not to exceed 8 tablets in 24 hours.
For extended-release pseudoephedrine 12 hour tablets (such as Sudafed 12 Hour), the recommended dosage for adults and children 12 years and older is one tablet (120 mg) every 12 hours. For extended-release pseudoephedrine 24 hour tablets (such as Sudafed 24 Hour), the suggested dosage is one tablet (240 mg) once a day.
