Pseudoephedrine - Oral

Pseudoephedrine is used to relieve symptoms of a blocked or stuffy nose and blocked sinuses associated with allergies, colds, and flu to help you breathe more easily.

Take Pseudoephedrine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

You may take it with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.

Pseudoephedrine is available as a conventional tablet, extended-release tablet or capsule, softgel capsule, and oral solution.

If you are taking the extended-release type of tablet or capsule, swallow it whole. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet or capsule.

If you are taking the oral solution. Use the measuring cup provided to measure your dose.

Do not take Pseudoephedrine for a longer period of time than instructed by your doctor. See your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 7 days or are accompanied by fever.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• severe coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart)
• severe acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term) kidney disease or kidney failure.

as Pseudoephedrine may not be suitable for you.

Do not take Pseudoephedrine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
• prostate enlargement
• glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) including at risk of developing glaucoma
• severe liver disease
• mild to moderate kidney disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. urine drug test), inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.

Inform your doctor if you have had a narrowing or blockage of the intestines before taking the extended-release tablet.

If you are taking the extended-release type of tablet, you may see a small tablet-shaped casing in your bowel. This is normal, do not be alarmed. This casing is just an empty shell; the medicine inside it has already been absorbed by your body.

Pseudoephedrine may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, feeling nervous or excited, and difficulty sleeping.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent), restlessness, sleep disturbances
• sudden onset of fever accompanied by reddening of the skin or many small bumps on the skin
• sudden abdominal pain or presence of blood in the stool
• sudden severe headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, fits or seizures
• sudden loss of vision

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Do not take Pseudoephedrine if you are currently taking or have taken medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. methyldopa, guanethidine, propranolol
• certain medicines to treat depression e.g. imipramine
• medicines for migraine (severe throbbing pain or pulsating sensation usually affecting one side of the head that is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound) e.g. ergotamine, methysergide
• cardiac glycosides (medicines for irregular heartbeat or heart failure [weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood]) e.g. digoxin
• furazolidone (an antibiotic)
• quinidine (medicine for malaria [a disease characterised by chills, fever and sweating that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito])

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Pseudoephedrine.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.