Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)

Category:

• Sympathomimetic

Description:

• Decongestant

Indications:

• Nasal decongestion associated with common cold, allergies, and sinusitis

• Promotes nasal or sinus drainage

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to sympathomimetics, severe hypertension

• Severe coronary artery disease

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C; compatible with breast feeding

• Heart diseased, coronary insufficiency, dysrhythmias, angina

• Hyperthyroidism, diabetes, mellitus, prostatic hypertrophy

• Increased intracranial pressure, hypovolemia, mild to moderate hypertension

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• CNS: anxiety, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, hallucinations, headache, insomnia, tremors

• CV: chest pain, dysrhythmias, palpitations, tachycardia

• GI: anorexia, nausea, vomiting

• GU: dysuria, urinary retention

• METAB: hyperglycemia

Dosage:

Administered orally (tablet, syrup, sustained release tablet/capsule)

• Adult:   PO 60mg every 4-6 hours; PO SUS REL 120mg every 12 hours or 240mg once daily, max 240mg daily

• Child:   PO 6-11 years 30mg every 4-6 hours, max 120mg daily; 2-5 years 15mg every 4-6 hours, max 60mg daily; <2 years 4 mg/kg/day divided every 6 hours

Drug interactions:

• MAOIs: hypertensive crisis

• Antacids: sodium bicarbonate doses sufficient to alkalinize urine can inhibit elimination of pseudoephedrine