Pseudoephedrine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Cenafed, Chlor-Trimeton Non-Drowsy Decongestant 4 Hour, Decofed, Dimetapp Decongestant, Dimetapp Decongestant Pediatric Drops, Drixoral Nasal Decongestant, Efidac/24, Genaphed, Myfedrine, PediaCare Infants' Oral Decongestant Drops, Pseudo 60's, Sudafed, Sudafed Children's Nasal Decongestant Liquid Medication, Sudafed 12 Hour, Triaminic AM Decongestant Formula, Triaminic Infant Oral Decongestant Drops, Balminil Decongestant Syrup, Benylin Decongestant, Drixoral N.D., Eltor 120, Maxenal, Robidrine, Sudafed Decongestant, Sudafed Decongestant Extra Strength, Sudafed Decongestant 12 Hour

Before Using This Medicine

If you are taking this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For pseudoephedrine, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pseudoephedrine or similar medicines, such as albuterol, amphetamines, ephedrine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, or terbutaline. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies on birth defects have not been done in humans. Pseudoephedrine has not been shown to cause birth defects in animal studies. However, studies in animals have shown that pseudoephedrine causes a reduction in average weight, length, and rate of bone formation in the animal fetus.

Breast-feeding - Pseudoephedrine passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies (especially newborn and premature babies).

Children - Pseudoephedrine may be more likely to cause side effects in infants, especially newborn and premature infants, than in older children and adults.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of pseudoephedrine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking pseudoephedrine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Beta-blockers (acebutolol [e.g., Sectral], atenolol [e.g., Tenormin], betaxolol [e.g., Kerlone], bisoprolol [e.g., Zebeta], carteolol [e.g., Cartrol], labetalol [e.g., Normodyne], metoprolol [e.g., Lopressor], nadolol [e.g., Corgard], oxprenolol [e.g., Trasicor], penbutolol [e.g., Levatol], pindolol [e.g., Visken], propranolol [e.g., Inderal], sotalol [e.g., Sotacor], timolol [e.g., Blocadren]) - Pseudoephedrine may decrease the effect of these medicines; also, taking pseudoephedrine with beta-blockers may increase the chance of side effects

• Cocaine - Using cocaine with pseudoephedrine may increase the effects of either one of these medicines on the heart and increase the chance of side effects

• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]) - Taking pseudoephedrine while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors may increase the chance of serious side effects

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of pseudoephedrine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) - Use of pseudoephedrine may cause an increase in blood glucose levels

• Enlarged prostate or
• Glaucoma, or a predisposition to glaucoma or
• Heart disease or blood vessel disease or
• High blood pressure - Pseudoephedrine may make the condition worse

• Overactive thyroid - Use of pseudoephedrine may make the condition worse