Sudafed is a brand of over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu medication that usually contains pseudoephedrine as the active ingredient.
- Sudafed was first introduced by Burroughs Wellcome & Company (now part of GlaxoSmithKline) in the United States in 1930.
- It was initially only available as a prescription medication.
- In 1976, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sudafed as an over-the-counter drug.
- In 2005, due to concerns about the use of pseudoephedrine in the production of methamphetamine, the U.S. government passed the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA), which restricts the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine.
- Sudafed, which still contains pseudoephedrine, is now sold behind the pharmacy counter where it is subject to sales restrictions and record-keeping requirements.
Zyrtec-D is an OTC medication that combines the antihistamine cetirizine with pseudoephedrine.
Claritin-D is an OTC medication that combines the antihistamine loratadine with pseudoephedrine.
Mucinex-D is an OTC medication that combines the expectorant guaifenesin with pseudoephedrine.
Sudafed Congestion is a nasal decongestant that contains pseudoephedrine as its active ingredient to relieve nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever, or other respiratory allergies.
Sudafed PE contains phenylephrine as its active ingredient to temporarily relieve nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever, or other respiratory allergies.
Sudafed OM is an aerosol nasal spray that contains oxymetazoline as its active ingredient to relieve nasal congestion and sinus pressure due to the common cold, hay fever, or other respiratory allergies.
Sudafed is used as a nasal decongestant to relieve nasal and sinus congestion due to the common cold, hay fever, or other respiratory allergies.
When used as directed, Sudafed is generally considered safe. However, it can cause side effects such as dizziness, nervousness, and sleeplessness, and it can interact with other medications. Consult a doctor or pharmacist before using Sudafed, especially if you have any medical conditions or are taking any other medications.
The ingredients in Sudafed vary depending on the product, but it typically contains pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine as the active ingredient and may also contain other inactive ingredients such as cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.
Sudafed is not considered addictive. However, due to concerns about the use of pseudoephedrine in the production of methamphetamine, sales of Sudafed are restricted and it is subject to sales restrictions and record-keeping requirements.
It depends on the other medications you are taking. Sudafed can interact with certain medications, such as antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and some asthma medications. Consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking Sudafed with other medications.