Adult Dosing
Nasal congestion, sinus congestion and pressure
- 120 mg PO bid of extended release preparations
- 60 mg of immediate release every 4-6 hours, PRN
- Max: 240 mg/day
Note:
- Do not cut, crush or chew the tablet
Pediatric Dosing
Nasal congestion, sinus congestion and pressure
- Children 4-5 yrs: immediate release products only: 15 mg q-4-5 hours, prn: Max dose of 60 mg/day
- Children 6-11 yrs: immediate release products only: 30 mg q4-6 hours, prn: Max dose of 120mg/day
- Children >12 yrs: 120 mg Extended Release TABS PO bid, Max: 240 mg/day
Note: - Extended Release TABS: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients <12 yrs have not been established
- SOLN: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients <4 yrs have not been established
- Do not cut, crush or chew the tablet
- Pseudoephedrine can cause irritability of the heart muscle and may alter the rhythmic function of the ventricles in patients who are hypersensitive to the myocardial effects of sympathomimetic drugs especially when administered in large dose
- Pseudoephedrine can cause nervousness, dizziness, or sleeplessness, discontinue the drug if such symptoms occurs
- Discontinue the drug if symptoms do not improve within 7 days or occur with a fever
- Patients receiving 240 mg tab can experience persistent abdominal pain or vomiting, discontinue the drug and provide appropriate treatment
- GI obstruction, particularly in patients with severe narrowing of the esophagus, stomach, or intestine has been reported with 240 mg extended release tab. Use cautiously in these patients
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Ischemic heart disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Prostatic hypertrophy
- Increased intraocular pressure
- Narrowing of GI tract
- Elderly
- Renal failure
Afrinol, Children's Sudafed, Nexafed, Sudafed 12 Hour, Sudafed 24 Hour, Sudafed Children's Nasal Decongestant interacts with :
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: Safety unknown; small amount of pseudoephedrine is excreted in breastmilk and are unlikely to harm the nursing infant, occasionally cause irritability. A single dose of pseudoephedrine decreases milk production acutely and repeated use interferes with lactation. Mothers of newborns or who are having difficulties producing sufficient milk should not receive pseudoephedrine. This information is based upon Lactmed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 28 April 2011).
US Trade Name(s)
- Afrinol
- Sudafed 12 Hour
- Sudafed 24 Hour
- Sudafed Children's Nasal Decongestant
- Children's Sudafed
- Nexafed
US Availability
pseudoephedrine (generic)
Afrinol, Sudafed 12 Hour
- Extended Release TABS: 120 mg
Sudafed 24 Hour
- Extended Release TABS: 240 mg
Sudafed Children's Nasal Decongestant, Children's Sudafed
- OTC ORAL SOLN: 15 mg/5 mL
Nexafed
Canadian Trade Name(s)
Canadian Availability
UK Trade Name(s)
- Boots Decongestant
- Contac Non Drowsy 12 Hour Relief
- Meltus Decongestant
- Non-Drowsy Sudafed Children's Syrup
- Non-Drowsy Sudafed 12 Hour
- Non-Drowsy Sudafed Decongestant
UK Availability
Boots Decongestant, Non-Drowsy Sudafed Decongestant
Contac Non Drowsy 12 Hour Relief, Non-Drowsy Sudafed 12 Hour
- Extended Release TABS: 120 mg
Meltus Decongestant, Non-Drowsy Sudafed Children's Syrup
Australian Trade Name(s)
- Chemist's Own Sinus Relief Tablet
- Logicin Sinus Tablet
- Sudafed Sinus & Nasal Decongestant
- Sudafed Sinus 12 Hour Relief Tablet
Australian Availability
Chemist's Own Sinus Relief Tablet, Logicin Sinus Tablet, Sudafed Sinus & Nasal Decongestant
Sudafed Sinus 12 Hour Relief Tablet
- Extended Release TABS: 120 mg
