Other Brands/Names

OBH Tropica Extra Anak-Anak, Berlifed, Simfed, Hufafed, Rhinos Neo, Taracol

How It Works

Pseudoephedrine is classified as a sympathomimetic that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. This nervous system works autonomically. This medicine acts directly on receptors in the respiratory mucosa to reduce excessive mucus that blocks the airways. In addition, pseudoephedrine can relax also respiratory smooth muscle and increase heart rate and myocardial contractility.

Indications

Pseudoephedrine provides temporary relief of nasal congestion and sinus pain/pressure caused by infections (such as the common cold or influenza) or other respiratory illnesses (including hay fever, allergies, and bronchitis).

Contraindication

• Prior hypersensitivity to pseudoephedrine.

• Severe hypertension or coronary artery disease.

• Children under 12 years old.

• Current use of, or use within the last two weeks of, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) used as antidepressants.

Side Effects

• Nausea, vomiting, insomnia, dizziness, headache, or anxiety/psychiatric disturbances may occur.

• Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor right away if any of these rare but very serious effects occur: fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, confusion, restlessness), tremor, persistent abdominal pain, or difficulty urinating.

• A severe allergic reaction is uncommon, but seek immediate medical care if symptoms appear, including rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), marked dizziness, or trouble breathing.

Types

Syrup in a 60 mL or 100 mL bottle, tablets, caplets, 10 mL drops.

Dosage

Adults and children 12 years old and older:

• Immediate-release medicine: 60 mg every 4–6 hours; maximum 240 mg per day.

• Extended-release medicine: 120 mg every 12 hours or 240 mg once every 24 hours.

Safety

• This medicine may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform tasks requiring alertness until you can do so safely.
• Older adults may be more sensitive to adverse effects, particularly rapid/irregular heartbeat, dizziness, urinary difficulty, sleep issues, or confusion.
• Children may be more susceptible to side effects such as anxiety.
• During pregnancy, psuedoephedrine can only be taken if it is clearly needed; discuss risks and benefits of this medicinewith your doctor.
• Pseudoephedrine is excreted into breast milk; if you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before use.

Drug Interactions

• Certain stimulants (for example, caffeine, dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine, and herbal products such as ephedra/ma huang), and terbutaline.

• MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors): taking MAOIs with pseudoephedrine can cause a serious, potentially fatal interaction. Avoid MAOIs (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) while on pseudoephedrine. Most MAOIs should also not be taken for two weeks before starting this medicine. Ask your doctor when to start or stop the treatments.

• Pseudoephedrine can decrease the effectiveness of antihypertensives, including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, guanethidine, and methyldopa.

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