A-Z Drug Facts > Pseudoephedrine (d-Isoephedrine)

Pseudoephedrine

( d-Isoephedrine ) Pronouncation: (SUE-doe-eh-FED-rin)
Class: Arylalkylamine

Trade Names:
Allermed
- Capsules 60 mg

Trade Names:
Cenafed
- Tablets 60 mg
- Liquid 30 mg per 5 mL

Trade Names:
Children's Congestion Relief
- Liquid 30 mg per 5 mL

Trade Names:
Congestion Relief
- Tablets 30 mg

Trade Names:
Children's Silfedrine
- Liquid 30 mg per 5 mL

Trade Names:
Decofed Syrup
- Liquid 30 mg per 5 mL

Trade Names:
Defed-60
- Tablets 60 mg

Trade Names:
Dorcol Children's Decongestant
- Liquid 15 mg per 5 mL

Trade Names:
Dynafed Pseudo
- Tablets 60 mg

Trade Names:
Genaphed
- Tablets 30 mg

Trade Names:
Halofed
- Tablets 30 mg
- Tablets 60 mg

Trade Names:
Mini Thin Pseudo
- Tablets 60 mg

Trade Names:
PediaCare Infant's Decongestant
- Drops 7.5 mg per 0.8 mL

Trade Names:
Pseudo
- Liquid 30 mg per 5 mL

Trade Names:
Pseudo-Gest
- Tablets 30 mg
- Tablets 60 mg

Trade Names:
Seudotabs
- Tablets 30 mg

Trade Names:
Sinustop Pro
- Capsules 60 mg

Trade Names:
Sudafed
- Tablets 30 mg
- Tablets 60 mg

Trade Names:
Sudafed 12 Hour Caplets
- Tablets, extended-release 120 mg

Trade Names:
Sudex
- Tablets 30 mg

Trade Names:
Triaminic Infant Oral Decongestant Drops
- Liquid 7.5 mg per 0.8 mL

Trade Names:
Triaminic AM Decongestant Formula
- Liquid 15 mg per 5 mL

Balminil Decongestant Syrup (Canada)
Benylin Decongestant (Canada)
Contac Cold 12 Hour Nondrowsy (Canada)
Eltor 120 (Canada)
Pseudofrin (Canada)
Sudafed Decongestant 12 Hour (Canada)
Sudafed Decongestant Children's (Canada)
Sudafed Decongestant Extra Strength (Canada)
Triaminic Pediatric (Canada)

Pharmacology

Feedback for Pseudoephedrine (d-Isoephedrine) As a treatment for... Avg User Ratings [?] Nasal Congestion 10 1 comments  Rate it! Compare with other drugs.

Causes vasoconstriction and subsequent shrinkage of nasal mucous membranes by alpha-adrenergic stimulation, promoting nasal drainage.

Pharmacokinetics

Distribution

Distributes into breast milk.

Metabolism

Partially metabolized in the liver.

Elimination

Renal (55% to 75% as unchanged); acidic urine accelerates rate of excretion.

Onset

15 to 30 min.

Peak

30 to 60 min.

Duration

3 to 4 h; 8 to 12 h (extended-release).

Indications and Usage

Relief of nasal or eustachian tube congestion.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to sympathomimetic amines; severe hypertension; coronary artery disease; MAOIs therapy; breast-feeding mothers.

Dosage and Administration

Pseudoephedrine Sulfate
Adults and Children older than 12 yr of age

PO 120 mg sustained-release every 12 h.

Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride
Adults

PO 60 mg every 4 to 6 h or 120 mg sustained-release every 12 h. Not to exceed 240 mg/day.

Children 6 to 12 yr of age

PO 30 mg every 4 to 6 h. Not to exceed 120 mg/day.

Children 2 to 5 yr of age

PO 15 mg every 4 to 6 h. Not to exceed 60 mg/day.

Children 1 to 2 yr of age

PO 7 drops (0.2 mL)/kg every 4 to 6 h. Not to exceed 4 doses/day.

Children 3 to 12 mo

PO 3 drops/kg every 4 to 6 h. Not to exceed 4 doses/day.

Storage/Stability

Store at room temperature.

Drug Interactions

Furazolidone, guanethidine, methyldopa

Increased BP.

MAOIs

Severe headache, hypertension and hyperpyrexia; can cause hypertensive crisis.

Urinary acidifiers (eg, ammonium chloride)

Increased elimination of pseudoephedrine.

Urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate)

Decreased elimination of pseudoephedrine.

Laboratory Test Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Cardiovascular

Arrhythmias; CV collapse with hypotension; tachycardia; bradycardia; transient hypertension.

CNS

Nervousness; excitability; dizziness; tremor; insomnia; restlessness; depression.

Dermatologic

Pallor.

GI

Anorexia; nausea; vomiting; dry mouth.

Genitourinary

Difficulty urinating.

Precautions

Pregnancy

Category C .

Lactation

Do not give to breast-feeding mothers.

Children

Use drug only under health care provider's advice in children under 3 mo.

Elderly

Ensure that short-acting product is tolerated before giving sustained-release product.

Special Risk Patients

Use drug with caution in patients with hyperthyroidism, diabetes, CV disease, increased IOP or prostatic hypertrophy. Patients with hypertension should use only under medical advice.

Excessive use

Systemic effects (eg, nervousness, dizziness, sleeplessness) are more common in elderly and infants.

Overdosage

Symptoms

Somnolence; sedation, which may be accompanied by profuse sweating, hypotension or shock; coma. Symptoms in elderly include hallucinations, seizures, CNS depression, and death.

Patient Information

• Advise patient not to exceed recommended dose.
• Instruct patient not to chew or crush sustained-release form.
• Teach patient to use calibrated measuring device to administer liquid and calibrated dropper to administer drops.
• Instruct patient to report the following symptoms to health care provider: Breathing difficulties, hallucinations, seizures (symptoms of overdose); lack of improvement within 7 days; high fever.
• Instruct patient to take sips of water frequently or suck on ice chips, sugarless hard candy or chew sugarless gum if dry mouth occurs.
• Advise patient to avoid taking other OTC medications containing sympathomimetic amines.

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Nasal Congestion

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