Pseudoephedrine vs. Phenylephrine: What’s the Difference?

Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are both nasal decongestants but can have different side effects. You can only purchase pseudoephedrine from pharmacy staff and have to show your ID.

You may know pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine from their use in Sudafed products. Sudafed contains pseudoephedrine, while Sudafed PE contains phenylephrine. The drugs are also available in several combinations with other over-the-counter cough and cold medications.

These drugs are both nasal decongestants. They’re used for short-term relief of congestion and pressure in the sinuses and nasal passages caused by the common cold, hay fever, or other allergies.

If you’re ready to breathe easier, check out this comparison of pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine.

The chart below is a quick snapshot of some of the basic information for pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine.

	Psuedoephedrine	Phenylephrine
What’s the brand name version?	Sudafed	Sudafed PE
Is a generic version available?	yes	yes
Why is it used?	short-term relief of sinus or nasal congestion and pressure	short-term relief of sinus or nasal congestion and pressure
Does it require a prescription?	no	no
Are there special requirements for purchase?	yes	no
What form(s) does it come in?	• oral tablet • oral liquid • oral extended-release (long-acting) tablets, 12-hour and 24-hour forms	• oral tablet • oral liquid • nasal spray
What are the strengths?	• 30 mg • 60 mg • 120 mg • 3–6 mg/mL	• Tablets: 5-10 mg • Oral Liquid: 0. 5 – 2.5mg/mL • Nasal Spray 0.125 -1%
How often should I take it?	• oral tablet or liquid: every 4–6 hours • 12-hour extended-release tablet: once every 12 hours • 24-hour extended-release tablet: once every 24 hours	up to every four hours as needed
How long can it be taken?	up to 7 days in a row	• oral forms: up to 7 days in a row • nasal form: up to 3 days in a row
Is it safe for children?	safe for children 4 years and older*	safe for children 4 years and older
Does it have potential for misuse?	yes**	no

* Except for the extended-release tablets, which are only safe for children 12 years and older
** Pseudoephedrine itself is not addictive. However, the illegal methamphetamine that it can be used to make is highly addictive.

You can walk into any pharmacy and buy phenylephrine off the shelf like you would for any other purchase. But for pseudoephedrine, there are special requirements.

To get it, you have to buy it from the pharmacy staff, not off the shelf. You also have to show ID, and you’re limited in the amount you can buy daily and monthly.

The reason for these requirements is that pseudoephedrine is used to make illegal methamphetamine, which is highly addictive. These rules help prevent people from buying products that contain pseudoephedrine to make methamphetamine.

Studies in 2006 and 2009 found pseudoephedrine to be more effective than phenylephrine in the treatment of nasal congestion.

Both pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can cause side effects. Call your doctor if you have any serious side effects when using these drugs.

The chart below lists examples of possible side effects from pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine.

Rebound congestion (congestion that occurs from overuse of nasal decongestants) may also develop if nasal phenylephrine is used more times in one day or for more days than indicated on the label.

An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. Before starting pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. This can help your doctor prevent possible interactions.

Don’t use with MAOIs

One class of drugs that is known to interact with both pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine is monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). This class includes drugs such as:

• isocarboxazid
• phenelzine (Nardil)
• selegiline
• tranylcypromine (Parnate)

If you’re taking an MAOI, do not take pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. Ask your doctor about other treatment options.

Don’t use them together

In general, pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine should not be used together. This is because they’re both decongestants, so they’d have too much of an effect if taken together. Combining them could lead to increases in both blood pressure and heart rate.

However, check with your doctor. In some cases, you may be able to try pseudoephedrine two to three hours after your last dose of phenylephrine if you didn’t have symptom relief with phenylephrine.

Certain medications can make certain conditions or diseases worse. If you have any of the following conditions, you should discuss with your doctor before taking pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine:

• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• thyroid disease
• enlarged prostate gland

If you want to take pseudoephedrine, you should also talk to your doctor if you have glaucoma.

Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can both affect pregnancy and breastfeeding.

These drugs are category C drugs, which means there’s the possibility of birth defects. Women should avoid using them during the first trimester of pregnancy and possibly throughout pregnancy.

These drugs also pass into a woman’s breast milk, though phenylephrine does so in smaller amounts. That means these drugs may have side effects in a child who is breastfed by someone who takes these drugs.

For example, pseudoephedrine may cause irritability and sleep changes in the child. In the mother, both drugs may decrease milk production.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before using either of these drugs. Other treatments, such as oxymetazoline or the nasal form of phenylephrine, may be better options for you when you’re breastfeeding.

While pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are similar in many ways, they also have some real differences. These include:

• how effective they may be
• how often you take them
• how you access them
• their risks of misuse

If you’re trying to decide which option might be better for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you determine if pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, or another drug would be a good choice for you.

Understanding Colds, Flu and COVID and your treatment options!

By Maureen Caro, FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner

This winter is gearing up and along with it are the cold and flu! Everyone is very concerned about COVID-19, and there is considerable overlap with symptoms from cold, flu and COVID-19. Of course, the best information comes directly from your provider! At Health Partnership Clinic, we encourage our patients to utilize the patient portal and email any questions or concerns.

A general rule of thumb for differentiating cold and flu is that you can work through a cold, but you can’t work through flu. Of course, I am not recommending anyone go to work with any kind of symptoms this year! However, people coming in pajamas and uncombed hair and falling asleep in my clinic are likely suffering from flu versus a simple cold. Flu tends to cause a fever (often high grade, over 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit), muscle aches, severe headache, fatigue. Cough, congestion, and sometimes diarrhea (more often in children) is also common. Colds tend to be more of an annoyance, a little cough, post-nasal drainage, feeling tired.

Over-the-Counter Recommendations

For over-the-counter recommendations, it depends on what symptom you are treating. For cough and nasal congestion, I prefer guaifenesin

to loosen up that drainage. The important thing is to drink a full glass of water with each dose. Guaifenesin is also called Mucinex. You can also get a product containing guaifenesin with dextromethorphan, which is abbreviated DM like Mucinex-DM, this is a cough suppressant. This can sometimes make you drowsy; I recommend it at night.

Dayquil/Nyquil are a good daytime/nighttime combination, just be sure you measure the portions! Pseudoephedrine, also called Sudafed, often abbreviated with a D at the end of the medication name, like Mucinex-D, is a good choice for nasal congestion. Sudafed can act as a mild stimulant, so it is labeled non-drowsy, but it can affect mood. I only recommend it for morning time. I also do not recommend it for anyone with hypertension or heart issues.

Sometimes people will take antihistamines to help dry up nasal drainage. Antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine, the little pink pills) are going to make you sleepy, so don’t take it and then try to work.

As a general rule, I only like one combination product to be used at a time, like Dayquil in the morning, Nyquil in the evening, in addition to plain ibuprofen for muscle aches. It is too easy to take too much of one individual medication if you take multiple combination products. Dayquil and Nyquil both contain acetaminophen, so if you take additional acetaminophen on top of that you can damage your liver. Advil/ibuprofen is in a different drug class than Tylenol/ibuprofen, so it is fine to combine ibuprofen doses with Dayquil/Nyquil. Easiest thing to do is to ask a pharmacist when you are there at the pharmacy!

Testing

For certainty that something is not COVID-19, the best answer is to call the clinic for a test. I have been seeing a fair amount of diarrhea/GI symptoms without a cough or nasal congestion, although cough and shortness of breath are very common. A fever over 100.4 is common, and one of the consistent symptoms I have seen is loss of smell or taste.

We have the rapid test at HPC that can be used on symptomatic patients in the first seven days of symptoms, so please call the clinic directly to see if we can schedule you for a test. Our main number is 913-648-2266. We might need to schedule you for a telemedicine visit, prior to testing, to evaluate further.

Emergency Room

Deciding when to go to the ER, can be tricky. Any of my patients telling me they feel short of breath is always concerning. A patient that is struggling to breathe, using chest and throat muscles to breathe, or running out of air with only talking always gets me worried. A fever that cannot be controlled at home with antipyretics such as Tylenol/acetaminophen or Advil/ibuprofen, or a temperature over 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit is also a good reason to go to the ER. A child that is not drinking normally and has dry mucous membranes is also concerning, and if the parent is concerned for their child, their instincts are usually right on the nose. However, if you have a slight sore throat and/or manageable symptoms, stay home and call the clinic!

References:

https://www. cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/coldflu.htm

How the NHL took the drug sudafed, banned at the Olympics But it is not exactly. Some players needed to take 20 pills to feel in shape.

© Chempionat.com

“Normal match in Montreal. An hour before kick-off, TV crews start bustling with live coverage, hot dogs are being fried in a coffee shop, and Canadiens goaltender Andy Moog is going through his usual pre-game ritual in the locker room. He takes two Sudafed tablets and takes them down with a glass of water. It’s not a matter of health, it’s a matter of habit. Moog started taking Sudafed six or seven years ago when he was playing for Boston, when he had a terrible runny nose. Since then, this medicine has become his ritual. Four other Montreal players also take the pills regularly. They say that you need to start your engines to get ready for the game. For these people, the preparation is to open their mouths and send in a couple of little white helpers, ”wrote The Hockey News magazine in February 1998 years.

Video of the Day

That was the first time the NHL was concerned about the doping problem, as hockey players from the best league in the world had to make their debut at the Nagano Olympics, where there was a strict doping control by the IOC. It turned out that sudafed, banned at the Olympics, had long been widespread in the National Hockey League – hockey players called it “rattle pills.”

“Some people needed to eat 20 tablets to feel the impulse”

In early February, World Anti-Doping Agency Chief Medical Officer Makoto Ueki issued several stern warnings to the NHL. “Sudafed is not a legal substance, although it can be bought without a prescription. It is forbidden even if you have a cold. I am sure that for the players from the NHL this will become a real problem, we can drown in positive tests. But this is not news, the drug was banned a long time ago. Sudafed contains pseudoephedrine, which can act as a stimulant in large amounts. Even a small dose will be enough to disqualify a player,” said Waki.

Doctors from the NHL vied with each other to express opinions about how irresponsible it was to make such statements about the massive use of these pills and argued that there would be no problems. However, a more detailed study of the issue revealed that the problem really exists. In the late 1990s and early 2000s in the NHL, about 20% of all hockey players used sudafed before a game. This figure was based on an anonymous survey of coaching staffs, but was disputed by the league itself, which claimed that the real use of this tool is much lower, and it is used only for medicinal purposes. The brand names of the pills varied as pseudoephedrine is found in dozens of cold medicines, but Sudafed has long been the most popular. “It was a dirty little NHL secret that got out as the Olympics approached. It would be foolish to deny the fact that this was of great concern to the league, because the drug was not banned in the NHL. Unconfirmed reports of pseudoephedrine abuse by NHL players are plentiful. Personally, one of the former coaches told me that one of his players needed to eat about 20 pills before the match in order to feel the right energy boost, ”wrote Sports Illustrated columnist Michael Farber.

But a little later, with reflections on the influence of pharmacology on the results of matches, the hockey players themselves suddenly began to speak out. One of them was the famous Finn Jari Kurri, who by that time had played 17 seasons in the NHL and was a member of the legendary championship Edmonton. “I may be wrong, but it seems to me that there is a direct link between the use of pseudoephedrine and the growing lack of respect in the league. It has grown a lot in the last 10 years. You take this thing and get scammed. I don’t know if dirty power moves, dirty punches, etc. have started to increase because of this. But the league needs to look into it. Have I taken Sudafed? Yes, once, before the game, when he played for Anaheim, said Kurri.

His colleague Mark Recchi from Montreal spoke more correctly, but admitted that the Sudafed is working. “It helps to reach the peak of activity. Sometimes it causes a rush of emotions right on the ice, you get too excited. I don’t take it anymore, but I used to take pills every 10-15 matches, ”Recky said. In addition to him, his partner in the Canadiens, Brian Savage, also admitted to using Sudafed.

The video can be viewed at the “Championship”

“Pills were just lying on the table, like a bowl of fruit”

The NHL began informing players well in advance of the 1998 Olympics that no form of pseudoephedrine could be taken and that all medications had to be approved by the team doctor, but these measures often didn’t work. So, in mid-January – a few weeks before the start of the Games – in the locker of one of the Canadiens hockey players they found pills of the same sudafed, which in Canada was freely sold in pharmacies at a price of $ 7. “We were very careful with the Olympians. First of all, this concerned Brandan Shanahan and Steve Yzerman, ”said in early February 19’98 Detroit Dr. John Wharton. Nevertheless, the unceremonious Shanahan, shortly before the start of the Olympics, blurted out the following in an interview on TSN. “Do I enjoy playing with the Americans as part of the North American All-Star team at the All-Star Game? Well, of course. So I can see if they swallow sudafed or not,” said Shanahan, whose joke was barely put on the brakes. The effect of pseudoephedrine was called similar to that of adrenaline – it increased the ability of the respiratory system, dilated the bronchi, while increasing heart rate and pressure. In addition, the sympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary muscle responses, including fighting or running, was stimulated. Hockey players admitted that if they took sudafed an hour before the match, then its effect began in 35-40 minutes, already during the warm-up. Side effects were individual – anxiety, hand trembling, but all this passed quickly enough. “You know, when I first started at the Red Wings, Sudafed pills were on the dressing room table like a bowl of fruit. But we quickly got rid of them. According to my estimates, three-quarters of the players on our team took it, ”Wharton, the doctor of the Red Wings, frankly said.

“You know, when I played for Edmonton, I remember someone coming out of the dressing room and rattling a jar of these pills. After that, the name appeared – explosive pills. Everyone was asking, “Does anyone want a rattle?” – recalled the same Andy Moog. As a result, the Nagano Olympics passed without scandals and doping stories, and only one positive case with pseudoephedrine was recorded at the Games – before the final in Sochi 2014, Niklas Backström passed a positive test, who drank the drug for allergies. “We were told that now you can’t take anything even for a cold. It’s hard because in winter you always have a cold. It’s hard to sleep when your nose is stuffed up, and then you’re tired the whole next day, ”said Steve Yzerman. Since then, nothing has been known about the use of pseudoephedrine in the NHL. But who knows what real reasons are sometimes hidden by this or that personnel decision of the coaching staff, which seemed strange to an outsider.

Miscellaneous, Steve Yzerman, Mark Recchi, World Anti-Doping Agency

Championship.com Breaking News

How long after taking Zyrtec can I take Dyquil (and why)? –

Last updated: December 2, 2022 / author
Sandeep Bhandari

/ Fact verified / 4 minutes

Exact answer: 1 second to 48 hours

Prescription drugs, antihistamines and drugs should be carefully searched for their active ingredients for possible hazardous and dangerous interactions, as well as side effects when taken orally together . Interactions between these drugs can either offset each other’s effects or dangerously increase the level of effects.

Health

Test your knowledge on health related topics

1 / 10

What is the main cause of a stroke?

High blood pressure

smoking

Lack of physical activity

Stress

2 / 10

Many children with asthma experience more severe reactions when they breathe ___________________.

Secondhand smoke

Carbon dioxide

Oxygen

air

3 / 10

What type of arthritis is most common?

Rheumatoid arthritis

osteoarthritis

Psoriatic arthritis

gout

4 / 10

What is the most common cause of headache?

Dehydration

Stress

Lack of sleep

Fasting

5 / 10

What is the main cause of type 2 diabetes?

Heredity

Poor nutrition

Lack of physical activity

Stress

6 / 10

What is the best way to maintain a healthy weight?

Counting calories

Eat smaller meals

Regular exercise

All of the above

7 / 10

What is the best way to prevent the onset of depression?

Exercise regularly

Eat a healthy diet

Get enough sleep

All of the above

8 / 10

Physical health is…

How thin you are and how healthy your body is.

The pH in your body, which is related to your emotions.

How focused you are on other people’s bodies.

None of the above

9 / 10

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of a cold?

Sore throat

Runny nose

Upset stomach

Cough

10 / 10

Which organ is responsible for the production of insulin in the body?

Liver

Pancreas

Stomach

kidneys

your account

Totals

1

combined use of drugs can be fatal. Is it safe to take Vicks DayQuil after taking Zyrtec? It depends. This article discusses the side effects, hazards, and dangers of Zyrtec and DayQuil interactions.

Whenever allergic symptoms occur such as itching, sneezing, hay fever, hives, runny nose, watery eyes or any other symptoms, antihistamines are prescribed. Zyrtec is one such drug that is used to treat allergic symptoms. There are two types of Zyrtec available that are completely different from each other.

How long after taking Zyrtec can I take Dyquil?

Zyrtec is a second-generation simple antihistamine known as cetirizine. Whereas Zyrtec-D is a combination of cetirizine and a nasal decongestant. Zyrtec and Zyrtec-D remain in the bloodstream in the human body for at least 24 hours. Although a 12 hour Zyrtec-D form is also available. Cetirizine is an over-the-counter antihistamine. It works by blocking the receptors that produce histamine.

Zyrtec and DayQuil can be taken together. There are no interactions between these two drugs. Sometimes doctors may even prescribe both of these drugs depending on individual symptoms. It is still recommended not to use both of these drugs together without a prescription.

If you plan to take DayQuil and Zyrtec together, it is recommended that you do not work or drive as Zyrtec causes drowsiness. Other antihistamines, such as allergens, that do not cause drowsiness can be chosen instead. You can take DayQuil and Zyrtec together if prescribed by your doctor.

The same cannot be said for Zyrtec-D. Pseudoephedrine is the nasal decongestant present in Zyrtec-D. DayQuil also contains a nasal decongestant (phenylephrine). Medicines or medicines that have similar active ingredients should never be taken together. In our case, both drugs have a common nasal decongestant.

As long as Zyrtec-D remains in the bloodstream, DayQuil should not be used. On the other hand, DayQuil should only be taken after 48 hours of taking Zyrtec-D, regardless of the type of drug (12 hours or 24 hours).

Why can I take Dayquil for so long after taking Zyrtec?

Zyrtec and DayQuil can be used together because they do not share active ingredients. Instead, they both work in tandem to manage their respective symptoms. There are no interactions between these two drugs. On the safer side, they still shouldn’t be consumed together.

The same cannot be said about Zyrtec-D. A common misconception arises from the fact that DayQuil does not have an antihistamine. DayQuil and Zyrtec-D have a common active ingredient, a nasal decongestant. Nasal decongestants provide temporary relief from pain due to congestion or runny nose. They constrict the blood vessels in the nose, causing nasal congestion.

When a person swallows a high dose of a nasal decongestant, numerous side effects can occur in the person’s body. The most notable side effects are heart palpitations, insomnia, and high blood pressure. In most cases, these effects may not lead to extreme situations.

Because Zyrtec-D travels through the bloodstream, DayQuil should not be taken until Zyrtec-D is cleared from the bloodstream. Depending on the formulation, Zyrtec-D may remain in the bloodstream for 24 to 48 hours. This may differ from person to person.

Old age, heart disease, and other problems may cause Zyrtec-D to remain in the bloodstream for a longer time. Alternatively, if a person feels that Zyrtec-D is not working, it is still recommended not to take DayQuil. There may be several factors causing the delay in the action of Zyrtec-D.

Summary

Zyrtec is an antihistamine used to treat allergic symptoms. Antihistamines block histamine receptors. Zyrtec-D also contains a nasal decongestant. It is recommended not to take DayQuil with Zyrtec-D as it also contains the same active ingredient. DayQuil may be taken with Zyrtec if directed by a physician.

On the other hand, it is recommended not to take DayQuil after taking Zyrtec-D until it is completely eliminated from the body. Zyrtec or Zyrtec-D can remain in the human body for 12 to 48 hours.

Recommendations

1. https://healtheducationandpublichealth.com/readability-and-suitability-of-over-the-counter-medication-labels
2. https://doktika.