|
What is pseudoephedrine
 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.
Pseudoephedrine
is used to treat congestion associated with allergies, hay
fever, sinus irritation, and the common cold.
Pseudoephedrine
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about pseudoephedrine
Do not take pseudoephedrine for longer than 7 days
if your condition does not improve or if symptoms are accompanied
by a high fever.
Do not take more of this medication
than is recommended on the package or by your doctor.
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.
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.
Who should not take pseudoephedrine 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.
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.
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.
Do not take pseudoephedrine without first talking
to your doctor if you are pregnant.
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.
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 take pseudoephedrine 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.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
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.
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.
Do not
take more of this medication than is recommended on the
package or by your doctor.
Do not take pseudoephedrine
for longer than 7 days if your condition does not improve
or if symptoms are accompanied by a high fever.
Store
pseudoephedrine at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
If you miss a dose: 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 you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a pseudoephedrine overdose include extreme tiredness,
sweating, dizziness, a slow heartbeat, and coma.
Avoid while taking pseudoephedrine 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.
Possible side effects of pseudoephedrine 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
|
