Health Centres - Sudafed decongestant tablets/elixir (pseudoephedrine)
How does it work?
Sudafed non-drowsy decongestant tablets and elixir contain 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 tablets are suitable for adults and adolescents over 12 years of age. One tablet should be taken every four to six hours as necessary, up to a maximum of 4 tablets in 24 hours.
Sudafed elixir is suitable for adults and children over two years of age. A maximum of 4 doses should be taken in 24 hours. For people aged over 12 years, 10ml should be taken every four to six 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
-
Enlarged prostate gland
-
Diabetes
- Raised pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure), eg glaucoma.
Not to be used in
- Severe coronary heart disease
- People who have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)antidepressant (eg phenelzine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine or moclobemide) in the last 14 days.
- Sudafed decongestant elixir should not be used in children under two years of age.
- Sudafed decongestant tablets should not be used in children under 12 years of age.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be used by pregnant women unless your doctor thinks the potential benefits outweigh any possible risks to the developing baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine passes into breast milk in amounts that are probably too small to be harmful to a nursing infant. However, as with all medicines, you should seek medical advice from your doctor before taking this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
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.
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