Brand name:
Pronounced: SUE-da-fed
Generic name: Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
Other brand names: Contac 12 Hour Cold Caplets, Dimetapp Infant Drops Decongestant, Drixoral Nasal Decongestant, Efidac/24, Pediacare Infants' Drops Decongestant, Pseudo 60's, Triaminic Allergy Congestion Liquid and Softchews
Several types of Sudafed and a wide variety of similar products share the single ingredient pseudoephedrine. This medication provides temporary relief of the stuffy nose and sinuses that often accompanies a cold, sinus inflammation, or allergies such as hay fever
Here are the usual dosages for pseudoephedrine-based decongestant products.
* SUDAFED NASAL DECONGESTANT
Take every 4 to 6 hours, up to 4 times each day.
Adults: 2 tablets.
Children 6 to 12: 1 tablet.
Children 2 to 6: Use a liquid product.
* SUDAFED 12 HOUR / CONTAC 12 HOUR/ DRIXORAL NASAL
DECONGESTANT
Take 1 pill every 12 hours, up to twice each day. Not for
children under 12.
* SUDAFED 24 HOUR/EFIDAC/24
Take 1 tablet each 24 hours. Do not exceed this dose. Swallow
the tablet whole; do not divide, crush, chew, or dissolve it. Not
for children under 12.
* PSEUDO 60'S
Take 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours, up to 4 times each day. For
children under 12, consult your doctor.
* CHILDREN'S SUDAFED NASAL DECONGESTANT CHEWABLES/TRIAMINIC
ALLERGY CONGESTION SOFTCHEWS
Give every 4 to 6 hours, up to 4 times each day.
Children 6 to 12: 2 tablets.
Children 2 to 6: 1 tablet.
Children under 2: Consult your doctor.
* SUDAFED CHILDREN'S NASAL DECONGESTANT LIQUID / TRIAMINIC
ALLERGY CONGESTION LIQUID
Take every 4 to 6 hours, up to 4 times each day.
Children 6 to 12: 2 teaspoonfuls.
Children 2 to 6: 1 teaspoonful.
Children under 2: Consult your doctor.
* DIMETAPP INFANT DROPS DECONGESTANT
For administration by mouth only, using only the supplied
dropper. Give every 4 to 6 hours, up to 4 times each day.
Children 2 to 3: 2 dropperfuls.
Children under 2: Consult your doctor.
* PEDIACARE INFANTS' DROPS DECONGESTANT
Doses may be repeated every 4 to 6 hours. Use only the supplied
dropper. Do not give more than 4 doses a day.
Children 2 to 3 years old: 2 dropperfuls
Children 12 to 23 months old: 1-1/2 dropperfuls
Infants 4 to 11 months old: 1 dropperful
Birth to 3 months old: one-half dropperful
* STORAGE
Store at room temperature. Protect from light and excessive
moisture.
Never use these products while taking a prescription drug classified as an "MAOI." See "Possible food and drug interactions..." below.
Check with your doctor before using these products if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, or an enlarged prostate gland.
If you become dizzy or nervous, or have trouble sleeping, stop taking this medication and check with your doctor. You should also stop and call your doctor if symptoms do not improve within 7 days or you develop a fever.
If you have ever had an obstruction or narrowing anywhere in the digestive system, check with your doctor before using Efidac/24. If you develop persistent abdominal pain or vomiting after taking this product, call your doctor immediately.
If your child must avoid phenylalanine, do not give Children's Sudafed Nasal Decongestant Chewables or Triaminic Allergy Congestion Softchews. Both contain the substance.
Do not use any of these products within 2 weeks of taking a drug classified as an MAO inhibitor, such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate and the Parkinson's disease medication Eldepryl.