Pseudoephedrine Products
There are many effects of adrenalin: increased heart rate, pulse pressure, blood pressure, bronchodilitation, and constriction of the nasal mucous membranes to name a few. This latter effect, reduced nasal swelling, can be helpful for any condition that may induce this swelling such as allergic rhinitis (allergies) or a viral upper respiratory infection. There are improvements on the basic form of adrenalin that can limit its undesirable effects but still provide some of its beneficial ones. Of all the products that are analogues of adrenalin, pseudoephedrine is the only one approved by the FDA to be sold over the counter. Almost without exception, if an over the counter product has cold symptoms or congestion as an indication, the product contains pseudoephedrine. In the one hundred feet of shelf space at CVS, there is among all those products only this one decongestant: pseudoephedrine.Pseudoephedrine and similar products should not be taken by any patient with hypertension, coronary artery disease, or any other serious medical condition without first consulting your physician.
Below, we have pictured all the pseudoephedrine products from just one company. The potential for confusion for even the most knowledgeable consumer is overwhelming.
All of the above products have pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) either alone or in combination with an antihistamine (chlorphineramine or diphenhydramine), a cough suppressant (dextromethorphan), an expectorant (guaifenesin) and/or an analgesic/antipyretic (acetominophen-Tylenol). The potential to mix and match is almost endless.
To add to consumer confusion there are many more products such as those pictured below that also contain pseudoephedrine along with the same variety of combinations: Actifed, Dimetapp, Triaminic, Pediacare, etc. As with guaifenesin and dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine is pseudoephedrine. There is no difference.
Remember when purchasing one of these products that the generic preparations are just as effective as the brand names. Our recommendation as mentioned elsewhere is to find a product whose side effects are minimal and still gives some relief to yourself or your child. When there is more than one active ingredient, the amount of each is usually standard, but not always. Please check the dosing chart to find the appropriate amount for yourself or your child.
