What is Sudafed?
Sudafed is a decongestant that decreases blood vessels inside the nasal passages. The blood vessels are dilapidated and can result in the nasal passages becoming congested (stuffy nasal congestion). Sudafed treats nasal and sinus congestion as well as congestion in the tubes that carry fluid out of the ear canals, known as the Eustachian (yoo-STAY-shun) tube. Sudafed can also be used to treat conditions not covered in this guideline.
Warnings
Don't give Sudafed to children younger than four years old. Consult a physician before prescribing a cold or cough medicine to a young child. There is a risk of death due to improper use of cough or cold medications in infants and youngsters.
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor prior to using any other cold or cough medication. Pseudoephedrine, as well as other decongestants, are present in numerous combination drugs. When you combine certain medicines, you could overdose on a specific substance. Look at the label to determine the presence of pseudoephedrine or decongestants. Avoid using Sudafed if you've previously taken one of the MAO inhibitors, such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate), over the last 14 days. An unintentional drug interaction can result in severe adverse consequences.
Before you take this drug
Don't use Sudafed if you've previously taken one of the MAO inhibitors, such as furazolidone (Furoxone) or isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate), over the past 14 days. The risk of a dangerous interaction with a drug could result in dangerous negative side effects. Avoid using Sudafed if you are allergic to pseudoephedrine or other medications for decongestants, diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medicines.
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor to determine if it's suitable for you to take Sudafed in the event that you are:
- Heart disease or high blood pressure
- Diabetes; or
- Thyroid disorders are a common problem.
FDA classification of pregnancy C It's not clear whether Sudafed can affect a newborn baby. Consult your doctor if you are expecting or planning to fall pregnant while taking Sudafed. Pseudoephedrine could be absorbed into the breast milk and harm the nursing infant. Don't use Sudafed without consulting your physician when you breastfeed babies.
Artificially sweetened liquid cold medication might include phenylalanine. If you suffer from the condition known as phenylketonuria (PKU), be sure to check the label on your medication to determine whether it contains phenylalanine.
Similar/related drug
Epinephrine topical, Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine nasal, Sodium chloride nasal, and Afrin
How to take Sudafed?
Make sure you use Sudafed precisely as indicated on the label or as directed by your physician. Avoid using it in higher quantities, in smaller amounts, or for longer periods than recommended. The typical cold medicine will be taken in a limited amount until the symptoms subside.
Don't give Sudafed to children younger than four years old. Consult a physician before prescribing a cold or cough medicine to a young child. There is a risk of death due to improper use of cough or cold medications in infants and youngsters.
Take Sudafed along with a large glass of drinking water. Avoid chewing, crushing, or breaking an extended-release tablet. Inhale it completely. Opening or breaking the pill could cause too much of the drug to escape simultaneously. There is a possibility of shaking the suspension (liquid) thoroughly before you take a dosage. Take the liquid of Sudafed with the use of a specific dosing spoon or cup, not the standard spoon for table use. If you don't have the right measuring instrument, request one from your pharmacist. one.
Take Sudafed only for more than 7 days at a time. Discuss with your doctor in the event that your symptoms don't improve following 7 days of treatment or if there is an illness that causes a headache, cough, or skin eruption. If you are in need of surgery, notify your surgeon prior to surgery that you're taking Sudafed. There may be a need to stop Sudafed for a brief period of time.
Keep Sudafed at room temperature, away from heat and humidity.
What happens If I miss a dose?
As Sudafed can be taken only when needed, it is possible that you are not following a regular dosing regimen. If you take the drug regularly, make sure to take your missed dose when you recall it. Do not take your missed dose if you think it's almost time to take your next dose. Avoid taking extra medications in order to replace the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical assistance in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
The symptoms of an overdose can include a feeling of anxiety or restlessness.
What should be avoided?
Do not take Sudafed if you are also taking diet pills, caffeine tablets, or different stimulants (such as ADHD medicines). Taking a stimulant in conjunction with a decongestant may raise the risk of negative side effects.
Consult a physician or pharmacist prior to using any other cold or cough medicine. Sudafed and other decongestants can be included in a variety of combination medications. When you combine certain medicines, it may cause excessive amounts of a specific medication. Examine the label for the presence of the ingredient Sudafed, or a decongestant.
Side effects of Sudafed
Contact a medical professional immediately. If you experience one of the following signs that indicate an allergy to Sudafed, including hives, trouble breathing, and swelling on the lips, face, throat, or tongue, Take a break from Sudafed and contact your physician immediately if you experience severe side effects, for example:
- Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
- Severe dizziness or anxiety;
- Bleeding, uncommon weakness or bleeding, chills, body aches, and signs of flu;
- Blood pressure is dangerously high (severe headache, blurred vision, hearing in your ears, panic in the chest, a feeling of confusion and breathing problems, as well as an irregular heart rate and seizures).
Some of the less severe Sudafed side effects could be:
- Lack of appetite
- Sensation of warmth, tingling, or redness;
- Experiencing a sense of anxiety or restlessness (especially in the case of children);
- Sleep problems (insomnia); or
- Itching or a skin rash.
It isn't a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and there are other possible side effects. Contact your physician to get medical advice regarding the negative effects. It is possible to report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
Discuss with your doctor all medications you take, including:
- Medicines for blood pressure;
- A beta blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), carvingilol (Coreg), or theobromol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Dutoprol, Lopressor, Toprol), or norelol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and many others as well.
- An antidepressant, such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol) or doxepin (Sinequan) or nortriptyline (Pamelor), among others.
This is not a complete list, and some other medications may be incompatible with Sudafed. Inform your physician about any medications you are taking. It includes over-the-counter, prescription, or vitamin supplements, as well as herbal supplements. Never begin a new drug without consulting your physician.
