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Pseudoephedrine is in a class of medications called nasal decongestants. It works by causing narrowing of the blood vessels in the nasal passages. Pseudoephedrine comes as a regular tablet, a hour extended-release long-acting tablet, a hour extended-release tablet, and a solution liquid to be taken by mouth.

The regular tablets and liquid are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. The hour extended-release tablets usually are taken every 12 hours, and you should not take more than two doses in a hour period. The hour extended-release tablets usually are taken once a day, and you should not take more than one dose in a hour period.

To help prevent trouble sleeping, take the last dose of the day several hours before bedtime. Follow the directions on the package label or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Take pseudoephedrine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor or directed on the label. Pseudoephedrine comes alone and in combination with other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which product is best for your symptoms.

Check nonprescription cough and cold product labels carefully before using 2 or more products at the same time. These products may contain the same active ingredient s and taking them together could cause you to receive an overdose.

This is especially important if you will be giving cough and cold medications to a child. Nonprescription cough and cold combination products, including products that contain pseudoephedrine, can cause serious side effects or death in young children. Do not give nonprescription pseudoephedrine products to children younger than 4 years of age. If you give these products to children years of age, use caution and follow the package directions carefully.

Do not give pseudoephedrine extended-release tablets to children younger than 12 years of age. If you are giving pseudoephedrine or a combination product that contains pseudoephedrine to a child, read the package label carefully to be sure that it is the right product for a child of that age. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Pseudoephedrine is an over-the-counter OTC medication typically used to treat nasal congestion, sinus congestion, and a runny nose.

These symptoms may be caused by multiple conditions such as the common cold , sinusitis or allergies. Pseudoephedrine only treats symptoms; it is not a cure for viral or bacterial illness. Some healthcare providers have prescribed pseudoephedrine to treat fluid in the ear , but the effectiveness of this application is generally poor. You should note that Sudafed PE is actually made with phenylephrine, which is similar to, but not the same as pseudoephedrine.

The most common indication for pseudoephedrine is as a decongestant, for conditions such as nasal congestion, sinus congestion, and eustachian tube congestion. It works by shrinking swollen nasal membranes, reducing edema tissue swelling and hyperemia increased blood flow to nasal tissues. You can take pseudoephedrine if:. If you have health problems, take other medications on a regular basis, or if you are pregnant, you should check with your healthcare provider and pharmacist before taking pseudoephedrine.

Pseudoephedrine comes in different forms, including tablets, extended-release tablets, and liquid. It is available over-the-counter in both children and adult formulas, so make sure that the formula you buy is age-appropriate. Extended-release tablets should never be cut, crushed or chewed. Follow the directions on the bottle carefully before giving or taking pseudoephedrine, and contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist with any questions.

Pseudoephedrine is also classified as an alpha-adrenoceptor and beta-adrenoceptor agonist. Alpha and beta refer to the types of nerve receptors that control the constriction of smooth muscles, such as those in blood vessels.

By activating these receptors, pseudoephedrine causes vasoconstriction the narrowing of blood vessels. It is also important that you are counseled not to take either medication too close to bedtime, or if you have high blood pressure. What is the difference between Sudafed and Sudafed-PE? Dear Congested, The original Sudafed contains the active ingredient pseudoephedrine. August 8, What you need to know about Exforge and amlodipine for high blood pressure June 14, Eye drops for surgery what problem can you face in the pharmacy June 14, When to ask your doctor about a suspicious looking mole June 7, Best OTC medicine for male urinary tract infection?

June 7, Which vitamins should be taken with Dilantin? May 31, Can Aleve, Motrin, Advil, or ibuprofen cause heart problems? Pseudoephedrine is an over-the-counter nasal decongestant available in 30 mg and 60 mg tablets, as well as mg and mg extended-release tablets.

It is also available as an oral solution. Pseudoephedrine purchases must be done at a pharmacy and the purchase information must be logged into a database. Purchase limits are set by state and federal guidelines. Phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are both adrenergic agonists. Phenylephrine has primarily an affinity to only alpha-adrenergic receptors, while pseudoephedrine has an affinity to both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors.

Their side effect profiles are very similar. Studies have shown that pseudoephedrine is a much more effective decongestant than phenylephrine. The effects of both drugs may be augmented with concurrent use of other products that affect rhinitis, such as antihistamines. Phenylephrine should not be used when pregnant unless the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk. Pseudoephedrine is considered safe to take after the first trimester. Always consult your physician before taking a nasal decongestant when pregnant.

Phenylephrine does stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors which may make it responsible for central nervous system stimulant effects such as restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia. It is thought that it may not cause the effects to the extent that pseudoephedrine does, however. Patients who have high blood pressure, pre-existing heart disease, or other cardiac conditions should not take phenylephrine without consent from their physician. There are alternative decongestant options, such as nasal sprays, which may be more appropriate in this population.

Women who are pregnant should consult a physician before using phenylephrine. Studies have shown that phenylephrine is an inferior, or less effective, decongestant than pseudoephedrine. In fact, it may offer no benefit over that of a placebo. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. Phenylephrine vs. By Kristi C. Torres, Pharm. Top Reads in Drug vs.