There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with pseudoephedrine. Tell a doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. Pseudoephedrine works by reducing the swelling of blood vessels in your nose.
This helps mucus and air flow more freely in the cavities in your nose sinuses , helping you to breathe more easily. Pseudoephedrine starts to work in 15 to 30 minutes, but you should feel a lot better after 30 to 60 minutes. Pseudoephedrine can be taken for a few days, usually up to 5 to 7 days, for the short-term relief of a stuffy or blocked nose.
Decongestants should only be used for a short time, usually less than 10 days. Only take pseudoephedrine for longer than 10 days if a doctor has said it's OK. Pseudoephedrine works by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose, but it also narrows the blood vessels in other parts of your body.
If you have any heart problems or you're worried about this, speak to a pharmacist or doctor about a different treatment. It's a good idea to limit food and drink containing caffeine such as coffee, tea, cola and chocolate. Caffeine can increase your risk of side effects, like feeling more restless or shaky and increasing your heartbeat. Pseudoephedrine does not affect any type of regular contraception, including the combined pill or emergency contraception.
No, there's no evidence that pseudoephedrine affects fertility in men or women. Pseudoephedrine does not affect your ability to drive or ride a bike. Page last reviewed: 22 August Next review due: 22 August Pseudoephedrine including Sudafed On this page About pseudoephedrine Key facts Who can and cannot take pseudoephedrine How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About pseudoephedrine Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that relieves a stuffy or blocked nose nasal congestion. This can happen when you have: a cold the flu allergies such as hay fever a sinus infection sinusitis You can buy pseudoephedrine from pharmacies and supermarkets.
It comes as tablets, capsules and a liquid that you swallow. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Pseudoephedrine usually starts to work in 15 to 30 minutes Common side effects include feeling sick, headaches, a dry mouth, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or increased blood pressure. It might also make you feel restless, nervous or shaky. Pseudoephedrine is also called by the brand names Sudafed or Galpseud Linctus.
Important Do not give pseudoephedrine to children under 6 years. Tell a pharmacist or doctor if you have: ever had an allergic reaction to pseudoephedrine or other medicines in the past high blood pressure hypertension heart disease taken medicines for depression known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs in the last 2 weeks diabetes an overactive thyroid gland hyperthyroidism glaucoma increased pressure in the eye an enlarged prostate men with difficulty peeing or needing to pee often liver or kidney problems.
The usual dose depends on the medicine you're taking. Important If you have bought pseudoephedrine or any medicine containing pseudoephedrine from a pharmacy or supermarket, follow the instructions that come with the packet or ask a pharmacist for advice.
How to take it You can take pseudoephedrine tablets and liquid with or without food. What if I forget to take it? If you forget to take a dose, take the next dose when you need it. Always leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Call for advice now if:. Go to A serious allergic reaction is an emergency.
How do you get rid of it? A DuPont chemist named Michael Hovey tried something similar in It did not end well. A minor problem that "modern" meth makers had to overcome was the difficulty in obtaining phenylacetone P2P if you were not in a research lab. So, chemists went back one step made it from something else, another chemical called phenylacetic acid, which is used in the perfume industry, and can be bought in huge quantities.
So, the government took Sudafed off the shelves, meth synthesis became even more efficient, and people sneeze more. View the discussion thread. Josh Bloom, the Director of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science, comes from the world of drug discovery, where he did research for more than 20 years.
He holds a Ph. Skip to main content. Meth-Spiked Adderall Threatens Kids. Blame the DEA. Meth is Back Like Never Before. Blundering Opioid Policies Largely to Blame. Another Pharma Bait-and-Switch. This Time It's 'Zantac. Were They Making Meth? By Josh Bloom — September 14, This Guy Knows Photo: Salon.
But some people use OTC pseudoephedrine illegally. Meth is an illegal and dangerous street drug. To help keep people from making meth, OTC medicines that contain pseudoephedrine are sold behind the counter. But you will have to ask your pharmacist for them. Additional restrictions include:. Some states have more requirements for medicines containing pseudoephedrine. When your body detects a virus, the flu, sinusitis, or allergies, it sends extra blood to the blood vessels in the nose to fight the problem.
This leads to swelling of the blood vessels and tissue in your nose. It makes you feel stuffy. It can be hard to breathe through your nose. Decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose. Swollen tissue inside the nose shrinks, and air can pass through more easily. Before you take OTC decongestants, read the directions on the drug facts label. It will tell you how much medicine to take and how often to take it.
If you have any questions, call your doctor. If using a liquid decongestant, use the measuring spoon that came with the medicine. This spoon is the right size for the dose you need. If you need to go to the doctor, take this list with you. Store all medicines up and away, out of reach and sight of young children. Keep medicines in a cool, dry place. This helps prevent them from becoming less effective before their expiration dates.
These locations are often hot and humid. Like any medicine, decongestants can sometimes cause side effects. They can temporarily cause nervousness, dizziness, and sleeping problems. They can cause heart palpitations feeling like your heart is racing or higher blood pressure. If decongestants make you feel restless or make it difficult for you to sleep, you may want to avoid taking them at bedtime.
It also may help to cut back on caffeine. Or you may need to discontinue the medicine. Talk to your doctor about any questions.
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