Sudafed

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 5/23/2023

Drug Summary

What Is Sudafed?

Sudafed (pseudoephedrine HCI) is a decongestant prescribed for the temporary relief of nasal congestion due to the common cold, hay fever, and sinus congestion. Sudafed is available as a generic drug.

What Are Side Effects of Sudafed?

Sudafed may cause serious side effects including:

  • fast or pounding heartbeats,
  • severe dizziness,
  • severe nervousness, and
  • sleep problems (insomnia)

Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Common side effects of Sudafed include:

  • nervousness,
  • restlessness or excitability (especially in children),
  • dizziness,
  • headache,
  • fear,
  • anxiety,
  • loss of appetite,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • skin rash,
  • itching,
  • tremors,
  • hallucinations,
  • convulsions (seizures),
  • nausea,
  • vomiting, and
  • flushing (warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin).

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Sudafed

Sudafed usual dose is one tablet every 12 hours.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Sudafed?

Sudafed drug interactions include monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs (for example, isocarboxazid [Marplan]), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (for example, venlafaxine [Effexor]), bronchodilators (for example, albuterol [Proventil]), blood pressure medications (such as beta blockers [Atenolol]) and calcium channel blockers [for example, verapamil]).

Sudafed During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Sudafed; it is unknown if Sudafed will harm a fetus. Sudafed passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Sudafed Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for Sudafed

Drug Facts

Active ingredient (in each tablet): Pseudoephedrine HCl 30 mg

Uses for Sudafed

Nasal Decongestant Uses

Dosage for Sudafed

Directions

adults and children 12 years and over
  • take 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours
  • do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours
children ages 6 to 11 years
  • take 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours
  • do not take more than 4 tablets in 24 hours
children under 6 years
  • do not use this product in children under 6 years of age

HOW SUPPLIED

Other Information

  • store between 20 - 25°C (68 - 77°F)
  • do not use if carton is opened or if blister unit is broken
  • see side panel for lot number and expiration date

Inactive Ingredients

carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, D&C yellow no. 10 aluminum lake, FD&C red no. 40 aluminum lake, FD&C yellow no. 6 aluminum lake, iron oxide, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, pregelatinized starch, shellac, sodium starch glycolate, talc, titanium dioxide

Questions or comments?

call 1-888-217-2117 (toll-free) or 215-273-8755 (collect)

Pseudoephedrine HCl, Nasal Decongestant

NDC 50580-545-24

SINUS PRESSURE + CONGESTION

MAXIMUM STRENGTH

24 TABLETS - 30 mg EACH

McNeil Consumer Healthcare Div. McNeil-PPC, Inc

Side Effects for Sudafed

No information provided.

Drug Interactions for Sudafed

No information provided.

Warnings for Sudafed

Do not use if you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (certain drugs for depression, psychiatric or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease), or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Ask a doctor before use if you have

When using this product do not exceed recommended dose

Stop use and ask a doctor if

  • nervousness, dizziness, or sleeplessness occur
  • symptoms do not improve within 7 days or occur with a fever

If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. (1-800-222-1222)

Precautions for Sudafed

No information provided.

Overdose Information for Sudafed

No information provided.

Contraindications for Sudafed

No information provided.

Clinical Pharmacology for Sudafed

No information provided.

Patient Information for Sudafed

Do not use if you are now taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (certain drugs for depression, psychiatric or emotional conditions, or Parkinson's disease), or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug. If you do not know if your prescription drug contains an MAOI, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Ask a doctor before use if you have

  • heart disease
  • high blood pressure
  • thyroid disease
  • diabetes
  • trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland

When using this product do not exceed recommended dose

Stop use and ask a doctor if

  • nervousness, dizziness, or sleeplessness occur
  • symptoms do not improve within 7 days or occur with a fever

If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. (1-800-222-1222)

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You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.