Oral Decongestants
Patient Counselling
Patient Counselling
**Note: Health Canada has restricted the use of these products in children, and formulations for children under 6 yesrs of age are no longer available.
Furthermore, products for ages 6-12 years are to be used with caution, and only for the temporary relief of nasal stuffiness due to common colds. It should NOT be used for the relief of sinus pressure or sinus drainage, or for symptomatic treatment of more serious infections such as bronchitis and sinusitis.
For more information, see: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/applic-demande/guide-ld/label-etiquet-pharm/pedlscc_pednecr-eng.php
Phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are both oral medications used to treat nose congestion and stuffiness, particularly when associated with the common cold. These medications have very similar actions, and act to decrease the swelling of the nasal passages, allowing for easier breathing and relief of nasal and sinus pain. Often, decongestants are sold in combination with other drug ingredients. Make sure to read the label and determine if other ingredients are present, and if they are right for you. Combination products frequently include:
· Ibuprofen (for pain; max dose 1200mg/day)
· Acetaminophen (for pain; max dose 4000mg/day)
· Dextromethorphan (for cough; max dose 120mg.day)
· Guaifenesin (for mucous; max dose 2.4g/day)
· Chlorpheniramine (for congestion and sleep, max dose 24mg/day)
· And many other ingredients; consult your pharmacist for more information on these additional ingredients
Dosing:
Pseudoephedrine: 60mg every 4-6 hours, max 240mg (4 doses) per day
-if sold as long-acting formulation: 120mg every 12 hours, max 240mg (2 doses) per day
Children ages 6-11: 30mg every 4-6 hours, max 120mg (4 doses) per day
Phenylephrine: 10mg every 4 hours, max 60mg (6 doses) per day
Children ages 6-11: 5mg every 4 hours, max 30mg (6 doses) per day
You can take this medication with or without food. If you experience upset stomach, consider taking it with food. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids, as this will help with your cold and congestion symptoms.
Take tablets whole, do not break or crush. Measure liquids and syrup with the appropriate measuring device. If you need guidance, contact your pharmacist.
Do not take more than indicated on the label, unless specifically directed to by your physician.
Studies have shown that these medications are effective at relieving congestion symptoms for 1-3 days. If symptoms persist for more than 7 days, consult a physician.
Side Effects
Normal side effects that may occur include:
-Insomnia
-Shakiness
-Nervousness/excitability/restlessness
-Headache, difficulty sleeping
-Upset stomach
If any of these side effects are troublesome or do not go away, consult a physician.
Cautions
If you experience any of the following side effects while taking a decongestant, consult a physician immediately:
-signs of an allergic reaction (facial swelling, unexplained rashes/itchiness, trouble breathing)
-fast heart beat, chest pain
-very bad dizziness or headache
Interactions
Generally this medication is very safe for short-term treatment. However, some other medications may interact with it and cause complications. Consult your pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications to determine if this product is right for you:
-Antidepressants (especially MAO inhibitors)
-some Parkinson’s Disease drugs (such as selegiline)
Additionally, some health conditions may require a change in therapy, or cause this medication to be a less ideal option. Consult your pharmacist before taking this medication if you have any of:
-high blood pressure and/or heart disease (of any kind)
-diabetes (may affect blood sugars)
-are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you are unsure about how any of your medications may interact with decongestants, talk to your pharmacist.
References
1. Pseudoephedrine. Lexi-Drugs Online. Hudson, OH: Lexi-Comp, Inc. Available from:http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/7583. Accessed Mar 12, 2014
2. Phenylephrine (Systemic). Lexi-Drugs Online. Hudson, OH: Lexi-Comp, Inc. Available from:http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/1799564. Accessed Mar 12, 2014
3. Lynch TP. Viral Rhinitis. In: Therapeutic Choices. 6th edition. Ottawa, ON. Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2011: 660-670.
4. Bureau of Gastroenterology, Infection and Viral Diseases. Guidance Document: Nonprescription Oral Paediatric Cough and Cold Labelling Standard. Health Canada. Available from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/applic-demande/guide-ld/label-etiquet-pharm/pedlscc_pednecr-eng.php. Published Feb 6, 2009. Accessed Mar 12, 2014.
**Note: Health Canada has restricted the use of these products in children, and formulations for children under 6 yesrs of age are no longer available.
Furthermore, products for ages 6-12 years are to be used with caution, and only for the temporary relief of nasal stuffiness due to common colds. It should NOT be used for the relief of sinus pressure or sinus drainage, or for symptomatic treatment of more serious infections such as bronchitis and sinusitis.
For more information, see: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/applic-demande/guide-ld/label-etiquet-pharm/pedlscc_pednecr-eng.php
Phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are both oral medications used to treat nose congestion and stuffiness, particularly when associated with the common cold. These medications have very similar actions, and act to decrease the swelling of the nasal passages, allowing for easier breathing and relief of nasal and sinus pain. Often, decongestants are sold in combination with other drug ingredients. Make sure to read the label and determine if other ingredients are present, and if they are right for you. Combination products frequently include:
· Ibuprofen (for pain; max dose 1200mg/day)
· Acetaminophen (for pain; max dose 4000mg/day)
· Dextromethorphan (for cough; max dose 120mg.day)
· Guaifenesin (for mucous; max dose 2.4g/day)
· Chlorpheniramine (for congestion and sleep, max dose 24mg/day)
· And many other ingredients; consult your pharmacist for more information on these additional ingredients
Dosing:
Pseudoephedrine: 60mg every 4-6 hours, max 240mg (4 doses) per day
-if sold as long-acting formulation: 120mg every 12 hours, max 240mg (2 doses) per day
Children ages 6-11: 30mg every 4-6 hours, max 120mg (4 doses) per day
Phenylephrine: 10mg every 4 hours, max 60mg (6 doses) per day
Children ages 6-11: 5mg every 4 hours, max 30mg (6 doses) per day
You can take this medication with or without food. If you experience upset stomach, consider taking it with food. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids, as this will help with your cold and congestion symptoms.
Take tablets whole, do not break or crush. Measure liquids and syrup with the appropriate measuring device. If you need guidance, contact your pharmacist.
Do not take more than indicated on the label, unless specifically directed to by your physician.
Studies have shown that these medications are effective at relieving congestion symptoms for 1-3 days. If symptoms persist for more than 7 days, consult a physician.
Side Effects
Normal side effects that may occur include:
-Insomnia
-Shakiness
-Nervousness/excitability/restlessness
-Headache, difficulty sleeping
-Upset stomach
If any of these side effects are troublesome or do not go away, consult a physician.
Cautions
If you experience any of the following side effects while taking a decongestant, consult a physician immediately:
-signs of an allergic reaction (facial swelling, unexplained rashes/itchiness, trouble breathing)
-fast heart beat, chest pain
-very bad dizziness or headache
Interactions
Generally this medication is very safe for short-term treatment. However, some other medications may interact with it and cause complications. Consult your pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications to determine if this product is right for you:
-Antidepressants (especially MAO inhibitors)
-some Parkinson’s Disease drugs (such as selegiline)
Additionally, some health conditions may require a change in therapy, or cause this medication to be a less ideal option. Consult your pharmacist before taking this medication if you have any of:
-high blood pressure and/or heart disease (of any kind)
-diabetes (may affect blood sugars)
-are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you are unsure about how any of your medications may interact with decongestants, talk to your pharmacist.
References
1. Pseudoephedrine. Lexi-Drugs Online. Hudson, OH: Lexi-Comp, Inc. Available from:http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/7583. Accessed Mar 12, 2014
2. Phenylephrine (Systemic). Lexi-Drugs Online. Hudson, OH: Lexi-Comp, Inc. Available from:http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/1799564. Accessed Mar 12, 2014
3. Lynch TP. Viral Rhinitis. In: Therapeutic Choices. 6th edition. Ottawa, ON. Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2011: 660-670.
4. Bureau of Gastroenterology, Infection and Viral Diseases. Guidance Document: Nonprescription Oral Paediatric Cough and Cold Labelling Standard. Health Canada. Available from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/applic-demande/guide-ld/label-etiquet-pharm/pedlscc_pednecr-eng.php. Published Feb 6, 2009. Accessed Mar 12, 2014.