Are you looking for a snappy treatment to relieve your nasal congestion or sinus congestion and pressure? Try pseudoephedrine.
Pseudoephedrine is a nasal decongestant that offers quick congestion relief that’s caused by a common cold, respiratory infection, allergy and hay fever. And some use it during air travel and diving underwater to prevent ear pain and blockage caused by pressure changes.
Pseudoephedrine relieves your congested nose by constricting nasal blood vessels, but it doesn’t treat the cause nor speed your recovery. Although this nasal decongestant is available OTC, the quantity you can buy is limited because meth, an illegal drug, can be synthesized from pseudoephedrine.
Pseudoephedrine is sold alone and in combination with other medications. So, always read your labels and compare the active ingredients of all medications you are using for relief of nasal congestion or any other symptom treatment to prevent the risk of an overdose. And extra precautions must be taken when treating a child with pseudoephedrine, which never should be given to one under 4 years old.
Before taking pseudoephedrine nasal decongestant, you should discuss taking it with your health care provider first if you have:
- diabetes
- glaucoma
- heart problems
- thyroid disorder
- enlarged prostate
- high blood pressure
- pregnant, breast feeding
- history of any drug allergy
- any sort of intestinal blockage
As is the case with any drug, pseudoephedrine for nasal congestion relief can cause side effects. Pseudoephedrine treatment side effects may include:
- dizziness
- weakness
- palpitations
- arrhythmias
- nervousness
- restlessness
- stomach pain
- nausea, vomiting
- difficulty sleeping
- breathing difficulty
Because stimulants can increase the risk of drug side effects, you’ll want to avoid taking weight loss drugs, caffeine pills or other stimulants, as well as any food or drinks containing scads of caffeine.