How does pseudoephedrine work?
Pseudoephedrine belongs to the class of medications known as nasal decongestants, and these decongestants provide relief from the effects of a stuffy nose.1 The membranes and blood vessels in your nasal cavities can become inflamed due to viruses or germs.1 This inflammation shrinks the space inside the nasal cavities, leading to less room for air to pass through.1
Blocked or stuffy noses can be caused by:
- cold or flu2
- allergies such as hay fever3
- sinus infections (sinusitis)2
Decongestants work by causing blood vessels in the nasal passages to narrow, temporarily eliminating the effects of your stuffy nose.1
What forms does pseudoephedrine come in?
You can get pseudoephedrine medications as extended-release tablets, capsules, or as a liquid to be taken orally.3 Pseudoephedrine is often combined with other medicines for widespread relief of your cold and flu symptoms. Theraflu-D Maximum Strength Flu Relief Syrup, for example, contains pseudoephedrine as well as acetaminophen and dextromethorphan to form a powerful formula that relieves your worst flu symptoms including fever, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, body and headaches, cough, and at nighttime, sneezing and running nose.
Side effects of pseudoephedrine
There are certain side effects that can be caused by taking pseudoephedrine, which include3:
- restlessness
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
- headache
Serious side effects of pseudoephedrine also include dizziness, stomach pain, difficulty sleeping or breathing, and a fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.3 Pseudoephedrine can also interfere with upcoming surgeries, including dental procedures.3
Pseudoephedrine can raise your blood pressure,2 and it can also interact with caffeine (such as coffee, tea, cola and chocolate) to increase your heart rate.2 Therefore, those with heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid issues and related medical conditions should talk to a healthcare provider before taking this medication.1
Pseudoephedrine should only be taken for a short amount of time, usually less than one week.2 If symptoms of flu or nasal congestion don’t go away after this time, or if a fever arises, it’s important to see your doctor at this time.1
The benefits of behind-the-counter medications
Theraflu-D syrups are the only adult flu relief syrups available without a prescription that have pseudoephedrine. What’s more, pseudoephedrine is the most powerful oral nasal decongestant available as a behind-the-counter (BTC) medicine.
BTC medications are a category of medications which can be purchased without a prescription but must be sold at the pharmacy counter.4 BTC medications can open up access to medications for those without traditional healthcare or insurance, at a price point far less than they would otherwise pay out of pocket.4
Discover strong, fast, and comprehensive relief for all of your cold and flu symptoms with Theraflu-D syrups, the only BTC syrups that include highly effective pseudoephedrine.
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