Sudafed Side Effects

Sudafed Decongestant 30mg Tablets Package

Severe Side Effects of Sudafed

Hives, shortness of breath, intense dizziness or swelling may be indications of a serious allergic reaction to Sudafed. Seek emergency medical attention right away.

Stop taking Sudafed and tell your doctor immediately if you experience irregular heartbeats, blurred vision, anxiety, high fever, chills, restlessness, tremors, unexplained bruising or bleeding, body aches, seizures or difficulty urinating.

Common Side Effects of Sudafed

While taking Sudafed, you may experience nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, loss of appetite or trouble sleeping. If any of these conditions worsen or do not go away, call your doctor right away.

Warnings & Recalls for Sudafed

General Warnings About Sudafed

Do not use Sudafed in combination with other nasal decongestants or cold medicines without your doctor's consent.

Before taking Sudafed, tell your doctor about any health problems you may have, especially if you have a history of diabetes, glaucoma, heart issues, hypertension, an overactive thyroid, kidney disease or an enlarged prostate.

Do not take Sudafed if you have used a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor for depression in the past two weeks. The combination of Sudafed and antidepressants may be lethal.

Over-the-counter cold medication can be dangerous or even fatal in young children. Do not administer Sudafed to kids who are under four years of age. Also, do not give the extended-release tablets to kids who are younger than 12 years of age.

Sudafed may pass into breast milk. Before taking Sudafed, tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or pregnant.

Sudafed's various forms may contain sugar or aspartame. Use caution when taking Sudafed if you have diabetes, liver disease or an alcohol dependence.

Sudafed is used for temporary relief only. Do not take it for more than seven days.

Sudafed may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not operate automotive vehicles or heavy machinery until you know how Sudafed affects you. Also, limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages while taking Sudafed.

Sudafed Treatment and Use

Sudafed | Pseudoephedrine is a brand of over-the-counter nasal decongestants. It offers temporary relief of sinus congestion that is caused by bronchitis, allergies, influenza or the common cold. It is also sometimes used to prevent ear pain or blockage that is caused by pressure changes during air travel or underwater diving. Sudafed will only relieve nasal symptoms; it will not treat the cause of the symptom. It is manufactured by McNeil Laboratories (a division of Johnson & Johnson).

How does Sudafed work?

Sudafed works by narrowing the blood vessels that are in the nasal passages. Swollen bleed vessels in the nose make it hard to breathe and cause feelings of congestion.

Dosage

Sudafed is taken orally and is available in multiple forms: a regular tablet, a 12-hour extended-release tablet, a 24-hour extended-release tablet and a liquid. The dosage varies, depending on the form of Sudafed that is taken. In order to prevent insomnia, use Sudafed a few hours before sleeping. If your symptoms worsen or do not clear up after seven days, stop taking Sudafed and tell your doctor.

Regular tablet

Once every four to six hours

12-hour extended-release tablet

Once every 12 hours
Do not take more than two doses in a 24-hour period
Swallow the tablets whole; do not chew or crush them

24-hour extended-release tablet

Once every 24 hours
Do not take more than one dose in a 24-hour period
Swallow the tablets whole; do not chew or crush them

Liquid form

Once every four to six hours
Use a measuring device (not your silverware) to pour the proper dosage of Sudafed