Health Centres - Sudafed children's syrup (pseudoephedrine)
How does it work?
Sudafed non-drowsy children's syrup contains the active ingredient pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called a decongestant.
Pseudoephedrine works by acting on alpha receptors that are found in the walls of blood vessels in the linings of the nasal passages and sinuses. It causes these blood vessels to contract and narrow, thereby decreasing blood flow into the linings of the nose and sinuses. This reduces the feeling of congestion and also reduces the production of mucus.
Pseudoephedrine can be used to relieve a blocked nose and sinus congestion associated with conditions such as allergies, colds and flu.
Sudafed children's syrup is suitable for children over two years of age. A maximum of 4 doses should be given in 24 hours. For children aged 6 to 12 years, 5ml should be given every four to six hours. For children aged 2 to 5 years, 2.5ml should be given every four to six hours.
What is it used for?
- Relief of nasal and sinus congestion associated with colds, flu, sinusitis and nasal allergies.
Warning!
- Do not exceed the recommended dose of this medicine.
- If symptoms persist despite treatment, seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Use with caution in
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
- Heart disease
-
High blood pressure
-
Overactive thyroid gland
-
Diabetes
- Raised pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), eg glaucoma.
Not to be used in
- Children under two years of age
- Very high blood pressure
- Severe coronary heart disease
- Children who have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)antidepressant (eg phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine or moclobemide) in the last 14 days.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Disturbed sleep
- Increased heart rate
- Dry mouth, nose or throat
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)
- Skin rash
- Hallucinations
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
If your child is taking any other medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine, to ensure that the combination is safe.
This medicine should not be taken by children currently taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant (eg phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine or moclobemide), or who have taken one of these medicines in the last 14 days. This is because the combination could cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
If pseudoephedrine is taken with any of the following, the combination may cause an increase in blood pressure:
- other decongestants
- tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline
- appetite suppressants
- amphetamine-like stimulants.
Pseudoephedrine may reduce the effects of medicines to treat high blood pressure (antihypertensives). If your child is taking medicines for high blood pressure you should not give this medicine.
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