Do you still have to get Sudafed behind the counter?
Sudafed and Sudafed PE are oral decongestants that treat nasal and sinus congestion. Sudafed is available for purchase behind the pharmacy counter, while Sudafed PE is available OTC like a standard product.
While regulations and need for a prescription can vary from state to state, products with pseudoephedrine are typically kept behind the counter at the pharmacy and are available for purchase there.
Adults and children 12 years of age and older—60 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours. Do not take more than 240 mg in twenty-four hours. Children 6 to 12 years of age—30 mg every four to six hours. Do not take more than 120 mg in twenty-four hours.
Alternatives to decongestants
In the drug realm, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin) can help with a stuffy nose are safe for the heart.
Nationwide, there are laws in place that limit and restrict the sale of pseudoephedrine by pharmacies. All pseudoephedrine containing products must be secured and sold from behind a sales counter. Daily purchase limits of 3.6 grams (approximately a 15-day supply) per day and 9 grams per 30-day period.
The daily limit of how much Sudafed you can buy is 3.6 grams, and the monthly limit is nine grams. This equates to about two or three boxes of drugs containing pseudoephedrine. If you exceed the limit, you won't be able to buy the drug.
Symptoms of an overdose of Sudafed can include: fast heart rate. dizziness. anxiety or restlessness.
If a nasal decongestant spray is a fixture in your medication lineup, it's important to know that using these sprays for more than three consecutive days can actually worsen your congestion. "This side effect of nasal decongestant sprays is called rebound congestion," says Dr.
Sudafed can start working within 30 minutes. Immediate-release forms of Sudafed can begin to wear off after four to six hours. Extended-release versions of Sudafed last longer, so you don't have to take it as frequently.
All products from the makers of SUDAFED® contain a nasal decongestant, either pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. Because, pseudoephedrine can be used to illegally manufacture methamphetamines (also known as meth), federal regulations require that it be sold behind the pharmacy or service counter.
Is SUDAFED pharmacy only?
It comes as tablets and a liquid that you swallow. You can buy these from a pharmacy in a pack of 12 tablets or 100ml of liquid. If you need more than this, you'll need a prescription from a doctor. Pseudoephedrine also comes mixed with other medicines to treat the symptoms of coughs, colds and allergies.