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
- more common with high doses- 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
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Other brands
Sudafed Congestion, Sudafed 12-Hour, SudoGest, Sudafed 24-Hour, ... +14 more
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
References
1. "Product Information. Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)." Glaxo Wellcome (2001):
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
4. Depriest AZ, Knight JL, Doering PL, Black DL "Pseudoephedrine and false-positive immunoassay urine drug tests for amphetamine." Pharmacotherapy (2012):
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.