Sudafed is a popular brand name of a generic drug used for treating nasal congestion found in upper respiratory tract infection. The main ingredient of Sudafed is pseudoephedrine; it is an effective nasal decongestant. Pseudoephedrine, acts upon the congested blood vessels in the nose and shrinks them. This permits better inhalation and exhalation of air from the nasal passage.
It is useful for a person who is suffering from stuffy nose. Sudafed is also beneficial for relieving congestion in sinuses and Eustachian tube in inner ear. Sudafed is available in liquid and tablet form.
Sudafed Nasal Decongestant Active Ingredients
There are several different formulations with the brand name Sudafed. They may have different active ingredients.
- Pseudoephedrine: in the original Sudafed, this drug is the active ingredient.
- Phenylephrine hydrochloride: it is an active ingredient in product that is named Sudafed PE. This ingredient is an alternative to original pseudoephedrine.
- Oxymetazoline (hydrochloride): this ingredient is used in the brand name Sudafed OM. It is used by this name in United States. The formulation is used as topical nasal spray.
- Xylometazoline: (hydrochloride): this active ingredient is used in the product Sudafed nasal spray in UK.
It is always necessary to read the label of any medicine and check the active ingredient present in the product. This is because many Sudafed capsule and liquids, contain paracetamol along with the main ingredient.
What Are The Side Effects Of Sudafed?
Sudafed is over the counter drug. This means the medicine is available without any prescription. For this reason patient should know the side effects that Sudafed causes before taking the drug. As with any other medicines, Sudafed too has side effects. Not all the patients who take Sudafed may experience side effects; there are many patients who can tolerate Sudafed very well. Some of the side effects of Sudafed are:
Common side effects after taking Sudafed product include:
- Restlessness.
- Dryness in mouth, throat, and nose.
- Lassitude and weakness.
- Headache.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Excitability and nervousness.
- No desire to eat food.
- Nausea throughout the day.
- Urine is difficult to pass as a result of diarrhea and vomiting.
- Dizziness and vertigo.
- Tachycardia or rapid galloping heartbeat.
- Palpitation.
When there is persistent vomiting and nausea or diarrhea as one of the side effects, it can lead to dehydration. There is loss of potassium and other salts from the body as a result of this. Reduced salts in the body, particularly potassium depletion can lead to cramps in calf muscles and constipation. In such cases eating banana which is rich in potassium may be effective in balancing potassium.
Dehydration can also lead to low urine output. It may raise urea level in blood causing damage to kidney and liver. Generally the side effects of Sudafed stop once you stop the medicine. But if the side effects continue for long time, and if it bothers you, it is necessary to consult a physician.
The more serious side effects of Sudafed include convulsions, tremors, palpitation, and shortness of breath, swelling of face and lips and other parts of the body.
Hallucination as one of the side effects of Sudafed has been noted in many cases. Hallucination is a psychiatric condition where a person hears and sees objects and that are not really in existence.
Convulsion may result when the patient consumes the overdose of medicine. It can also lead to low blood pressure and fainting attacks.
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