While Sudafed is generally safe to take, it can cause side effects in some people. Here are some potential side effects that people should be aware of. The difference has to do with what happens after someone swallows medication containing phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine. Phenylephrine is rapidly broken down by the liver into small molecules called metabolites. These metabolites are what enter the bloodstream to reach the nose.
This puts an even greater strain on your brain and body, and it can lead to serious mental and physical damage. Pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in Sudafed, is a decongestant and pain reliever that reduces the swelling and stuffiness caused by a cold. Taking it can lead to a feeling of nervousness, drowsiness and dizziness that some people interpret as being high. However, taking Sudafed and alcohol can suppress respiration and may result in an overdose. In the past, cough syrups contained codeine and alcohol, making them easier to overuse for a cheap high.
However, they should limit their intake as the two could interact with one another, resulting in adverse side effects. The class of medications pseudoephedrine belongs to is nasal decongestants. However, eco sober house cost there is also a liquid form of pseudoephedrine available. Alcohol can also weaken a person’s immune response, which may impair the body’s ability to fight a viral or bacterial infection.
Imitrex and alcohol
Coffee and Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) are two popular drugs that people often take together. Is there a potential interaction if someone drinks coffee while taking Sudafed? Pseudoephedrine is particularly a concern for people at high risk of heart attack and stroke, precisely because it works by constricting blood vessels.
- They may also monitor you more frequently when you first begin treatment with either Imitrex or buspirone and if they increase your dose.
- Imitrex may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests.
- When I am diagnosed with
cold I am using more medications just to get well as soon as possible.
- When alcohol is consumed alongside medications, it can interfere with their effectiveness and increase the risk of side effects.
Due to the possible risk, your doctor usually won’t prescribe Imitrex if you have ischemic bowel disease. Since there does not appear to be an imminent safety risk, the FDA cannot use any emergency powers to pull the product off the market. Meanwhile, manufacturers can take proactive steps to reformulate their products.
Back in the 1920s, people who took pseudoephedrine as a stimulant also noticed that it relieved their stuffy noses. The body reacts to both allergies, viruses, and other irritants by causing the small blood vessels lining your nose to swell. This is followed by an increase in mucus production, which is the body’s attempt to remove the allergen or pathogen that is in the nose. What results is a feeling of fullness or stuffiness in the nose that can make it hard to breathe. Alcohol does not have a direct interaction with Sudafed, so it doesn’t always affect how well the medication works.
What should I avoid?
Artificially sweetened liquid cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine. Sudafed is used to treat nasal and sinus congestion, or congestion of the tubes that drain fluid from your inner ears, called the eustachian (yoo-STAY-shun) tubes.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Imitrex and possible interactions. If you have certain types of migraine, called hemiplegic or basilar migraine, tell your doctor before taking Imitrex. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children.
What happens if I miss a dose?
However, researchers did add that drowsiness was more common in the control group who used Sudafed than in the placebo group who did not take any medication. The FDA also states that a parent or caregiver should use caution when giving cough and cold medication to children over 2 years old. Below are some reasons a person may wish to avoid using Sudafed with alcohol. This article outlines whether a person can take Sudafed with alcohol, what effects alcohol can have on Sudafed, who can take Sudafed, and more. Some mixtures of medications can lead to serious and even fatal consequences. If there are any concerns about content we have published, please reach out to us at
- There is minimal information regarding the relationship between decongestants and alcohol.
- Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose.
- It is important to talk to a doctor before taking the two drugs together and be aware of the potential side effects.
- Combining any of these medications with alcohol is dangerous.
- To combat this, the sale of cold products containing codeine was restricted.
- However, your doctor may recommend that you do not drink alcohol if you have migraine or cluster headache.
It constricts vessels throughout the whole body,” Hatton says. Rank adds that he often encourages his patients to seek alternate remedies. It’s also more dangerous for women to drink alcohol with Sudafed because BAC rises faster in women. That said, alcohol and Sudafed will have worse side effects when taken together. Sudafed also becomes less effective because moderate amounts of alcohol will cause nasal congestion and weaken the immune system.
Interaction between alcohol and medications
However, if you must take Sudafed and have recently consumed alcohol, be sure to discuss the risk with your doctor first. With the right precautions and medical advice, you can ensure that your medicinal and recreational activities remain safe. Sudafed is a decongestant used to relieve nasal and sinus congestion, and it can cause drowsiness as a side effect. When combined with alcohol, this side effect is increased, making it unsafe to take the two together. It is also important to recognize that the active ingredient in Sudafed is often found in combination drugs used to treat cold and/or flu symptoms.
For example, consuming large quantities of alcohol during pregnancy will lead to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a condition that leads to deformities at birth. For this reason, nobody should mix alcohol and Sudafed unless it’s only a few standard drinks. However, some people will have more severe reactions when mixing Sudafed with alcohol. Because depressants slow down the central nervous system, alcohol reduces the stimulant effects that Sudafed has. While this is minor, it’s noticeable for people who use Sudafed to treat congestion, allergies, or breathing problems.
It is important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while taking the two drugs together. It is also important to be aware of other potential side effects, like dizziness, headaches, or nausea. Similar to 12-hour Sudafed, 24-hour Sudafed releases in the body throughout the day. 24-hour Sudafed is typically a higher dose than 12-hour Sudafed and other quick-release versions, so it’s more dangerous to mix with alcohol.
Pseudoephedrine is available with and without a prescription and there are various types. The common types are extended release and instant release, which are released over 12 or 24 hours. As a https://sober-home.org/ stimulant medication, Sudafed can mask that tipsy feeling that sometimes occurs after a drink or two. There is minimal information regarding the relationship between decongestants and alcohol.