Pseudoephedrine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 16, 2022.

Applies to pseudoephedrine: oral capsule liquid filled, oral liquid, oral solution, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

Serious side effects of Pseudoephedrine

Along with its needed effects, pseudoephedrine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking pseudoephedrine:

Rare

• Convulsions (seizures)
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
• irregular or slow heartbeat
• shortness of breath or troubled breathing

Symptoms of overdose

• Convulsions (seizures)
• fast breathing
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
• increase in blood pressure
• irregular heartbeat (continuing)
• shortness of breath or troubled breathing (severe or continuing)
• slow or fast heartbeat (severe or continuing)
• unusual nervousness, restlessness, or excitement

Other side effects of Pseudoephedrine

Some side effects of pseudoephedrine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Nervousness
• restlessness
• trouble in sleeping

Less common

• Difficult or painful urination
• dizziness or light-headedness
• fast or pounding heartbeat
• headache
• increased sweating
• nausea or vomiting
• trembling
• unusual paleness
• weakness

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to pseudoephedrine: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral liquid, oral suspension extended release, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet extended release.

General

The most commonly reported adverse effects have included cardiovascular and (e.g. elevated blood pressure, tachycardia, or arrhythmias), CNS stimulation (e.g. restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and rarely hallucinations), skin rashes, and urinary retention.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, palpitations, arrhythmia, hypertension, impaired circulation to the extremities^[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Headache, tremor

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions including cross-sensitivity with other sympathomimetic^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hallucinations

Frequency not reported: Restlessness, insomnia, sleep disturbances, anxiety, excitability^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Urinary retention, especially in men with prostatic enlargement

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Angle-closure glaucoma

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Skin rashes, fixed drug eruption in the form of erythematous nodular patches^[Ref]

Other

Post marketing reports: False-positive amphetamine immunoassay^[Ref]

False-positives can occur far below the published threshold indicating that cross-reactivity in human specimens is sometimes greater than the limits reported.^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Phenylephrine vs Pseudoephedrine - How do they compare?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer