The
half-life of pseudoephedrine is between 5 and 8 hours
, though the more acidic the urine, the lower the half-life. Pseudoephedrine can be illegally used to manufacture methamphetamine, which has become a national epidemic.
How long does it take for Sudafed to wear off?
Sudafed can start working within 30 minutes. Immediate-release forms of Sudafed can begin to wear off after
four to six hours
. Extended-release versions of Sudafed last longer, so you don’t have to take it as frequently.
How long does phenylephrine stay in your system?
The elimination half life of phenylephrine is
about 2.5 to 3.0 hours
. The clinical effects of a single intravenous bolus dose of phenylephrine are short lived and needs to be repeated every 10–15 minutes.
What are 3 adverse effects to Sudafed?
Nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, dizziness, headache, or nervousness
may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Stop taking this medication and tell your doctor promptly if you have dizziness, nervousness, or trouble sleeping.
Does Sudafed have withdrawal symptoms?
Although there is no scientific evidence that
pseudoephedrine produces withdrawal symptoms
, some users may experience pseudoephedrine withdrawal symptoms that are similar to stimulant withdrawal, such as: Depression. Anxiety. Irritability.
Does phenylephrine do anything?
Phenylephrine is used for the
temporary relief of stuffy nose, sinus, and ear symptoms
caused by the common cold, flu, allergies, or other breathing illnesses (e.g., sinusitis, bronchitis). This medication works by decreasing swelling in the nose and ears, thereby lessening discomfort and making it easier to breathe.
Does phenylephrine make you anxious?
Two commonly-used decongestants are pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE). These medications work great to clear nasal passages and help us breathe better. But to our bodies, they look very similar to the stimulants discussed earlier and can have the same side effects,
including anxiety
.
What does Sudafed do to your body?
Pseudoephedrine
works by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose
, but it also narrows the blood vessels in other parts of your body. This can increase your blood pressure and your heart rate. If you have any heart problems or you’re worried about this, speak to a pharmacist or doctor about a different treatment.
What are the long term side effects of Sudafed?
- Convulsions (seizures)
- fast breathing.
- hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
- increase in blood pressure.
- irregular heartbeat (continuing)
- shortness of breath or troubled breathing (severe or continuing)
- slow or fast heartbeat (severe or continuing)
What happens if you take Sudafed for too long?
“If you take it too long,
it can actually make your congestion worse
,” Marciniak says. Taking decongestants containing pseudoephedrine by mouth long term can lead to other problems, including seizures, hallucinations, headaches, and insomnia.
How much Sudafed is too much?
Adults and children 12 years of age and older—
60 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours
. Do not take more than 240 mg in twenty-four hours. Children 6 to 12 years of age—30 mg every four to six hours. Do not take more than 120 mg in twenty-four hours.
Why can’t you use decongestants for more than 3 days?
Decongestant nasal sprays (DNSs) provide immediate relief by shrinking swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages. This reduces the inflammation and helps you breathe easier. DNSs are supposed to be used for a maximum of three days. If you use them longer than that, they
can cause rebound congestion
Can Sudafed affect your mood?
On the other hand, allergy medications can also affect mood in some people. Medications like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)
cause some people to feel anxious and jittery
, and others to feel lethargic. Many antihistamines cause drowsiness.
When should phenylephrine be avoided?
overactive thyroid
What is better pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine?
Studies have shown that
pseudoephedrine is a much more effective decongestant than phenylephrine
. Phenylephrine’s decongestant effects may not be significantly different from that of a placebo. The effects of both drugs may be augmented with concurrent use of other products that affect rhinitis, such as antihistamines.
How long does it take phenylephrine to start working?
The decongestant effect of phenylephrine in cold or flu remedies should be noticeable within
15 to 30 minutes
, and the effects last less than 4 hours. A rapid increase in blood pressure is usually seen following an intravenous dose that persists for up to 20 minutes.
