Sudafed Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Sudafed Tablet contains pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, a sympathomimetic decongestant that shrinks swollen blood vessels in the nose and sinuses. It is used to relieve nasal and sinus congestion caused by colds, flu, and allergies. The tablets are intended for daytime use and should not be taken for more than about a week unless a doctor advises otherwise.

What is Sudafed Tablet

Sudafed is a decongestant medicine that shrinks swollen blood vessels in the nose and sinuses, helping relieve stuffiness caused by colds, flu, and allergies. Its generic name is pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, and it belongs to the decongestant (sympathomimetic decongestant) drug class.

Sudafed Tablet uses

• Symptomatic relief of sinus and nasal congestion due to allergic (seasonal) rhinitis
• Vasomotor (perennial) rhinitis
• Sinusitis
• The common cold and flu
• Congestion of the eustachian tubes that drain fluid from the inner ears

Benefits of Sudafed Tablet

• Reduces nasal and sinus congestion so breathing is easier
• Non-drowsy formula for daytime use
• Provides relief from sinus pressure

How Sudafed Tablet works

Pseudoephedrine narrows blood vessels in the nose, which reduces swelling and congestion so air can move through more easily.

Sudafed Tablet dosage

Swallow the tablets whole; do not halve, crush, or chew them. Take as needed, several times a day as directed on the pack. Do not use for more than about a week in a row unless a doctor tells you to. If you forget a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time; do not double up. This product is not for use in children under the stated minimum age. Taking it close to bedtime may cause sleeplessness.

Available forms and strengths

Sudafed is available as a tablet.

Side effects of Sudafed Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Drowsiness or sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Nervousness
• Excitability
• Feeling of extreme happiness
• Restlessness
• Fear or anxiety
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Raised blood pressure
• Tremor
• Dry mouth
• Nausea

Serious

• Urine retention or pain when passing urine
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or other parts of the body
• Rash, itching, or hives on the skin
• Severe headache with sudden onset
• Nausea or vomiting with confusion
• Changes in vision
• Seizures (fits)
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Severe dizziness or anxiety
• Sudden abdominal pain or rectal bleeding (possible ischaemic colitis)
• Sudden loss of vision or decreased visual acuity

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine if you have severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe coronary artery disease, severe kidney disease, or if you have taken certain antidepressant medicines (MAOIs) within the past 14 days.
• Rare but serious brain and eye conditions have been reported with this type of medicine, including sudden severe headache, confusion, seizures, vision changes, or sudden vision loss. Stop the medicine and get medical help right away if these occur.
• Some cases of a serious bowel condition called ischaemic colitis have been linked to this medicine. Stop taking it and seek medical advice if you get sudden stomach pain or rectal bleeding.
• Do not use this medicine for longer than about a week unless your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine should not be given to children under the minimum age stated for the product, and misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children can be fatal.
• If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine, since it should only be used if the benefits outweigh possible risks to the baby.
• Small amounts of pseudoephedrine pass into breast milk, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it while breastfeeding.
• People with severe kidney disease or kidney failure should not use this medicine, and those with milder kidney problems should use it with caution.
• Use this medicine with caution if you have liver disease or severe liver problems.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink alcohol, as it may interact with this medicine.
• This medicine may cause dizziness in some people, so be careful before driving or using machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Keep your medicine in the original pack until it is time to take
• Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C
• Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it in the bathroom or near a sink, or in the car or on window sills
• Keep it where young children cannot reach it
• If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor or go to the emergency department right away if you have urine retention or pain passing urine, seizures, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling, or a rash, itching, or hives.
• Seek medical help immediately if you think you have taken too much of this medicine, even if you feel fine.
• Stop the medicine and seek medical advice if you get a sudden severe headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures, or vision changes.
• Stop use and talk to your doctor if your symptoms persist, get worse, or if new symptoms appear.

Alternatives

• Sudafed Sinus + Allergy & Pain Relief
• Chlor Trimeton Nasal Decongestant
• Contac Cold
• Drixoral Decongestant Non-Drowsy
• Elixsure Decongestant
• Entex