pseudoephedrine

(soo doe eh FEH drin)
Afrinol, Cenafed, Chlor Trimeton Nasal Decongestant, Decofed, Dimetapp Decongestant, Drixoral Non-Drowsy, Efidac, Genaphed, Pediacare Drops, Ridafed, Sudafed, Sudrine, Suphedrin, Triaminic A.M.

What is the most important information I should know about pseudoephedrine?

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Do not take pseudoephedrine for longer than 7 days if your condition does not improve or if symptoms are accompanied by a high fever.

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Do not take more of this medication than is recommended on the package or by your doctor.

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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Pseudoephedrine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

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Do not crush, chew, or break the extended-release, timed-release, or 12-hour formulations of pseudoephedrine. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in the body.

What is pseudoephedrine?

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Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant. It works by constricting (shrinking) blood vessels (veins and arteries) in the nose, lungs, and other mucus membranes. By decreasing blood flow to the nose, lungs, and other areas, pseudoephedrine decreases congestion, and airways are opened up.

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Pseudoephedrine is used to treat congestion associated with allergies, hay fever, sinus irritation, and the common cold.

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Pseudoephedrine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take pseudoephedrine?

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Do not take pseudoephedrine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

high blood pressure;

heart disease, hardening of the arteries, or irregular heartbeats;

thyroid problems;

diabetes;

glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye(s);

an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating;

liver disease; or

kidney disease.

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You may not be able to take pseudoephedrine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Do not take pseudoephedrine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

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Pseudoephedrine passes into breast milk however, it is generally considered safe for use during breast-feeding. Talk to your doctor before taking pseudoephedrine if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from pseudoephedrine. You may require a lower dose of the medication. Using a short-acting formulation of pseudoephedrine (not a long-acting or controlled-release formulation) may be safer if you are over 60 years of age.

How should I take pseudoephedrine?

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Take pseudoephedrine exactly as directed by your doctor, or follow the instructions that accompany the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Do not crush, chew, or break any extended-release, timed-release, or 12-hour forms of pseudoephedrine. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly into the body.

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To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure liquid forms of pseudoephedrine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

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Do not take more of this medication than is recommended on the package or by your doctor.

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Do not take pseudoephedrine for longer than 7 days if your condition does not improve or if symptoms are accompanied by a high fever.

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Store pseudoephedrine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention.

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Symptoms of a pseudoephedrine overdose include extreme tiredness, sweating, dizziness, a slow heartbeat, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking pseudoephedrine?

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What are the possible side effects of pseudoephedrine?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects from this medication, stop taking pseudoephedrine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

seizures;

unusual behavior or hallucinations; or

irregular or fast heartbeats.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take pseudoephedrine and talk to your doctor if you experience

dizziness, lightheadedness, or drowsiness;

headache;

insomnia;

anxiety;

tremor (shaking) or restlessness;

nausea or vomiting; or

sweating.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect pseudoephedrine?

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with pseudoephedrine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has more information about pseudoephedrine written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.