Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant used to reduce inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages and Eustachian tubes. It can have side effects such as increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure and can interact with other medications. It is also a precursor to methamphetamine, leading to restrictions on its sale.
Pseudoephedrine is a pharmaceutical compound that is added to some decongestant and cold products to help reduce congestion and inflammation. This medication may be prescribed by a doctor or purchased over the counter at a pharmacy to relieve cold symptoms. A number of products contain pseudoephedrine in various concentrations, and Sudafed® is a particularly well-known decongestant brand that contains this compound. When the compound is present, it is listed in the active ingredients on the box.
This drug works on the body by constricting blood vessels, which leads to a reduction in inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages and Eustachian tubes. People can purchase extended-release capsules that slowly release the medicine into the body, or regular-dosed or liquid capsules for faster relief. Pseudoephedrine tends to be more effective than many topical anti-congestants, as well as some formulations taken by mouth.
Pseudoephedrine side effects can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, nervousness, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the most common side effects, due to the constriction of blood vessels that occurs as a result of taking this drug. The drug can also have serious interactions with antidepressants, beta blockers and MAO inhibitors and is not recommended for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women or people with diabetes.
While medications that contain pseudoephedrine are available over the counter, it’s still a good idea to seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist on the best use of this medication. Children in particular are very sensitive to pseudoephedrine and overdose can be fatal. The drug also interacts with a number of medications and underlying medical conditions such as heart problems, which can make it unsafe for use in many people. It’s also important to follow the dosage recommendations on the packaging, to ensure the drug isn’t accidentally misused.
Pseudoephedrine is also a precursor to methamphetamine, a stimulant banned by law in many regions of the world. In the United States in particular, the production and sale of methamphetamines has become a very big problem, and sales of drugs containing pseudoephedrine have been limited. People wishing to buy drugs with this compound generally need to present identification and sign a sales register, and the amount they can buy will be limited. Many pharmaceutical companies have decided to reformulate their decongestant drugs to remove pseudoephedrine in response to concerns about methamphetamine production.
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