When To See A Doctor
Chest congestion can be a nagging effect of asthma. If you are experiencing chest congestion that does not seem to be improving, you should see your doctor.
Since chest congestion in asthma can be a sign that you have an infection or that your asthma or allergies are not well controlled, you might need treatment to help relieve the underlying problem.
What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose
This medication is usually taken as needed. If your doctor has told you to take pseudoephedrine regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Safety Guide For Ephedrine
Ephedrine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is safe and effective when used according to the Drug Facts label directions.
Ask a doctor before use if:
- You have been hospitalized for asthma.
- You have a history of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, or narrow angle glaucoma.
- You have a diagnosis of asthma but use prescription asthma medications.
- You have experienced seizures.
- You have experienced a psychiatric or emotional condition.
- You have trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland.
- Your cough occurs with too much phlegm or is chronic and occurs with smoking, asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.
- You are taking prescription drugs for asthma, obesity, weight control, depression, or psychiatric or emotional conditions.
- You are taking any drug that contains phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, or caffeine .
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- Before giving to a child under 12 years old.
Do not use if:
- You have not been properly diagnosed with mild, intermittent asthma by a doctor
- You are allergic to ephedrine.
- You are taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor 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.
- You consume foods or beverages that contain caffeine.
- You take dietary supplements containing ingredients reported or claimed to have a stimulant effect.
- Chronic trouble sleeping
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Pregnant And Breastfeeding Women
It’s not clear whether it’s safe to take any type of decongestant if you’re pregnant, so you should only use them if told to by a healthcare professional.
Some decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops are safe to use if you’re breastfeeding, but check with a pharmacist or GP first before using them.
The patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine will say who should not use it and who should get advice before using it.
The Link Between Asthma And Sinus Infections
Living with asthma is difficult. Part of that difficulty is the increased chances of developing sinusitis or a sinus infection. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, as many as half of all people with moderate to severe asthma, also have chronic sinusitis.
Sinus infections can make you feel miserable. Without good treatment, they can last for months or even years. The existence of asthma can only make chronic sinusitis feel worse and having sinusitis can make your asthma harder to control.
But theres good news! There are lots of treatments available for both sinus infections and asthma. And studies have shown that by treating one condition often helps relieve the symptoms of the other. The key is to treat both conditions aggressively.
Treatment is important in preventing sinusitis from worsening. Again, since the conditions are linked, treating sinusitis may have the added benefit of improving your asthma symptoms.
If you have sinusitis and asthma, your doctor might recommend the following:
Steroid nasal sprays areused to reduce the swelling and ease the inflammation of the sinuses, allowing them to drain normally.
Decongestant and antihistamine medicines can be helpful, but overuse can lead to more congestion. Try spraying warm salt water into the nose, or breathing in steam as an option.
Controlling exposure to allergens is key. It can minimize your asthma symptoms and reduce your risk of sinus infections.
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How To Cope With Side Effects
What to do about:
- feeling or being sick â try taking pseudoephedrine with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you do not eat rich or spicy food. If you have been sick, drink plenty of water by having frequent sips to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee.
- headaches â make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask a pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. If your headache does not go away, stop taking pseudoephedrine or see your doctor. It may be because pseudoephedrine can increase your blood pressure.
- dry mouth â chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets.
- feeling restless, nervous or shaky â stop taking pseudoephedrine and talk to a doctor if symptoms do not go away. Ask a pharmacist about trying a different medicine.
- difficulty sleeping â try not to have a big meal in the evening and avoid drinking alcohol, tea or coffee. Try not to watch television or use your mobile phone before going to bed. Try to relax for an hour before bedtime.
What Are The Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis
Most people with allergic rhinitis have a blocked or runny nose. Some also have sneezing and itching in the nose and back of throat. Allergic rhinitis can also make the eyes itchy, red and teary. Not everyone with allergic rhinitis has all these symptoms.
People with asthma may not recognise that they also have allergic rhinitis, because the symptoms can be mistaken for asthma. For this reason, Australian and international guidelines for doctors recommend that people with asthma should be checked for allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis can occur all year round, or just at certain times of year.
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Medicines Can Trigger Asthma
Sometimes a medicine or supplement can trigger asthma symptoms. Be sure to tell your health care provider about all medicines, herbs, supplements and vitamins you take.
Make sure all the health care providers you see know you have asthma. Talk with your health care provider before starting any of the following:
- Aspirin
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen and naproxen
- Beta-blockers, which are usually used for heart conditions, high blood pressure and migraines
For example: :
- Corgard®, nadolol
- Visken®, pindolol
- Trandate®, labetalol hydrochloride
ACE inhibitors, which are used for heart disease and high blood pressure, can cause a cough which could be mistaken for an asthma symptom.
For example: :
- Accupril®, quinapril
- Vasotec®, enalapril
- Zestril®, lisinopril
Never stop a medicine before talking with your health care provider. If you currently take any of these medicines, call your provider to discuss the medicine and your asthma.
How Should I Take Sudafed
Use Sudafed exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Do not give Sudafed to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Take Sudafed with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. You may need to shake the oral suspension well just before you measure a dose. Measure the Sudafed liquid with a special dose measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Do not take Sudafed for longer than 7 days in a row. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Sudafed. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store Sudafed at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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Getting The Most From Your Nasal Spray
If you take any type of nasal spray, read the manufacturers instructions carefully and follow the directions to make sure you get the most benefit.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain anything you dont understand.
Our website also has videos showing how to use nasal sprays correctly.
What to do
- Follow the manufacturers instructions.
- Shake the bottle before each use.
- Clear any mucus from your nose by blowing gently, or use a saline rinse or spray then wait 10 minutes before using your medication spray.
- Lean your head forward and put the nozzle into your nostril gently, without pushing it in hard.
- Point the spray bottle away from the wall that divides your nostrils . At the same time, point it inwards towards the moist part of the inside of your nose.
- Spray once into your nostril, then repeat the steps for your other nostril.
- After using the spray, wipe the tip with a dry tissue, and put the cap back on.
Don’t
- Tilt your head back while spraying
- Push the nozzle too hard or far into your nose
- Blow your nose hard after spraying
- Sniff hard after spraying
- Use a saline rinse straight after using the medicine. If you use saline, use it before your other medicines, and wait at least half an hour before using saline again.
Other Uses For This Medicine
This medication is also sometimes used to prevent ear pain and blockage caused by pressure changes during air travel or underwater diving. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
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Will Aspirin And Other Pain Relievers Make My Asthma Worse
Aspirin and other drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be harmful for people who have asthma. Ibuprofen and naproxen are a few examples of NSAIDs. If you are allergic to aspirin, ask your doctor or pharmacist to make sure any new medicine you might take is not related to aspirin.
People who have asthma can usually take acetaminophen safely. This medicine is typically used to relieve fever and pain. Very rarely, even acetaminophen may make asthma worse, which has prompted further studies to explore the link between acetaminophen and asthma. If acetaminophen makes your asthma worse, tell your doctor. He or she can help you find another type of pain reliever.
Special Warnings And Precautions For Use
Pseudoephedrine should be used with caution in patients with hypertension, hyperthyroidism or thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, ischaemic heart disease, glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, severe hepatic or renal dysfunction.Some cases of ischaemic colitis have been reported with pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine should be discontinued and medical advice sought if sudden abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or other symptoms of ischaemic colitis develop.If signs and symptoms such as formation of small pustules occur, with or without pyrexia or erythema, then treatment with pseudoephedrine should be discontinued and a physician should be consulted.Paracetamol should be used with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function, impaired renal function, chronic alcoholism.Triprolidine may cause drowsiness and may increase the effects of alcohol. Drowsiness may continue the following day. Those affected should not drive or operate machinery alcohol should be avoided.Use with caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, patients with epilepsy, and patients with respiratory conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or acute or chronic bronchial asthma.See Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions for additional information.
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Can You Take An Antihistamine And Decongestant Together
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In this regard, can you take antihistamine and Sudafed together?
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Antihistamines and decongestants are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine or decongestant.
Beside above, what medicine has a decongestant and antihistamine? DESLORATADINE PSEUDOEPHEDRINE is a combination of an antihistamine and a . This medicine is used to treat the symptoms of allergies. It reduces congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itching.
Hereof, should I take a decongestant or an antihistamine?
If you have nasal or sinus congestion, then a be helpful. If you have drainage — either a runny nose or postnasal drip or itchy, watery eyes — then an antihistamine may be helpful. Over-the-counter antihistamines often make people drowsy make people hyper or keep them awake.
Can antihistamines make congestion worse?
Developing a resistance to decongestants or antihistamines is pretty uncommon. However, Afrin, an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray, can make congestion worse with long-term use.
Are Aspirin And Ibuprofen The Same
Aspirin and ibuprofen are both pain relievers from the same family of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Because they are from the same family of drugs, aspirin and ibuprofen have the same potential side effects. Taking them together may increase the risk of these side effects.
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What Sudafed Sinus 12 Hour Relief Is Used For
SUDAFED® Sinus 12 Hour Relief provides temporary relief from the symptoms of:
- sinus pain and congestion
- nasal congestion of allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis
- nasal congestion from the common cold in adults and children over 12 years.
Pseudoephedrine belongs to a group of medicines called sympathomimetic decongestants.
It works by reducing congestion in the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, nasal passages and sinuses, and making it easier to breathe.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about this medicine.
Your pharmacist or doctor may have given it for another reason.
This medicine is only available from your pharmacist.
What Sudafed Sinus + Allergy & Pain Relief Is Used For
Sudafed Sinus + Allergy & Pain Relief provides temporary relief of severe sinus pain and congestion, nasal congestion, headache and pain, allergic symptoms such as sneezing, itching and watery eyes.
Pseudoephedrine belongs to a group of medicines called sympathomimetic decongestants. It works by reducing congestion in the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, nasal passages and sinuses, and making it easier to breathe.
Paracetamol works to stop the pain messages from getting through to the brain. It also acts in the brain to reduce fever.
Triprolidine belongs to a group of medicines called ‘antihistamines’. Antihistamines help reduce allergic symptoms by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine. Histamine is produced by the body in response to foreign substances that the body is allergic to.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about this medicine. Your pharmacist or doctor may have given it for another reason.
This medicine is only available from your pharmacist.
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How Should This Medicine Be Used
Pseudoephedrine comes as a regular tablet, a 12-hour extended-release tablet, a 24-hour extended-release tablet, and a solution to be taken by mouth. The regular tablets and liquid are usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. The 12-hour extended-release tablets usually are taken every 12 hours, and you should not take more than two doses in a 24-hour period. The 24-hour extended-release tablets usually are taken once a day, and you should not take more than one dose in a 24-hour period. To help prevent trouble sleeping, take the last dose of the day several hours before bedtime. Follow the directions on the package label or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pseudoephedrine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor or directed on the label.
Pseudoephedrine comes alone and in combination with other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which product is best for your symptoms. Check nonprescription cough and cold product labels carefully before using 2 or more products at the same time. These products may contain the same active ingredient and taking them together could cause you to receive an overdose. This is especially important if you will be giving cough and cold medications to a child.
If your symptoms do not get better within 7 days or if you have a fever, stop taking pseudoephedrine and call your doctor.
Is Fexofenadine Safe To Take If Pregnant
Fexofenadine is not usually recommended during pregnancy unless other treatment options are not working or suitable. Hay fever treatments such as nasal sprays, eye drops and natural remedies to reduce exposure to pollen are preferred options for pregnant women.
Read more about using fexofenadine during pregnancy here
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Sudafed Pe And Albuterol
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Pseudoephedrine May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- restlessness
- difficulty breathing
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
Pseudoephedrine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
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