Pseudoephedrine

Pseudoephedrine is a vasoconstrictor which can constrict your blood vessels to decrease swelling and therefore can be used as a decongestant. It can be used to treat nasal congestion in cold, flu or allergies. Pseudoephedrine is usually combined with antihistamines like Loratadine and Chlorpheniramine in a cold and cough preparation.

Pseudoephedrine can be taken by mouth in many forms like tablets, syrup, and solution etc. Adults and children between 12 and 17 years old should take 60 mg 3-4 times daily while children between 6 and 11 years old should take 30 mg 3-4 times daily.

Common side effects of Pseudoephedrine include dizziness, headache, tremors, trouble sleeping, nervousness, and high blood pressure. Since Pseudoephedrine can also tighten the muscles in the prostate and bladder, you should be used with caution if you have prostate problems due to the difficulty in urination.

• People allergic to Pseudoephedrine or any formulation component
• People who are currently taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, and those what have taken them in the past 14 days

In Hong Kong, Pseudoephedrine is an over-the-counter medicine which can be purchased without a prescription from any retail outlet in Hong Kong. This includes grocery stores, convenience stores, medicine shops, and pharmacies. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.

For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk