OTC Allergy Medicine: Pseudoephedrine

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

13 Apr 2006 04:46 PM

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant used to relieve nasal and sinus congestion. It may also be used to help relieve ear congestion due to inflammation or infection. You may find it used in combination with an antihistamine in various allergy medicines. Pseudoephedrine is available as a tablet/capsule, syrup, and fast-dissolving tablet.

Before taking any over-the-counter medicine, you should read and understand everything on the label. If you are not sure about something, or want to ask about drug interactions, call your doctor or ask your pharmacist. Pseudoephedrine should not be used if you are taking beta-blockers or MAO inhibitors -- the combination of the drugs can increase the chance of serious side effects.

Just like an antihistamine, taking pseudoephedrine can cause an increase in blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Pseudoephedrine can also worsen conditions like glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, enlarged prostate, and overactive thyroid.

The most common side effect of taking pseudoephedrine is nervousness and restlessness. You may want to make sure you take your pseudoephedrine a few hours before you are planning to go to bed. Otherwise, you may find yourself having trouble falling asleep!

Pseudoephedrine is pretty easy to find in the allergy aisle at your drug store or grocery store. It is an ingredient in name brands like Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetapp, Drixoral, Sudafed, and Triaminic. Keep in mind that generic brands will cost you a lot less than name brands; read the label and look for a generic brand that offers the same drug at the same dose as your favorite name brand and save a few bucks!

Keep in mind that pseudoephedrine and antihistamines like loratadine are only temporary fixes for your allergy problems. For long standing allergy problems, you may need immunotherapy like allergy shots or a stronger prescription medicine to relieve your symptoms.

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