Pseudoephedrine is the original decongestant in Sudafed. It’s a sympathetic nervous system stimulant that induces “fight or flight” response, which raises your heart rate and blood pressure. Part of the effect is to constrict blood vessels, which is how it works as a decongestant. Constricting the capillaries in your sinuses and nasal passages reduces the swelling, which opens up the breathing passages.
Wow, interesting, thank you. I try not to take a lot of meds, but for a while there I was getting serious side effects from spring pollen. I was trying to avoid taking an antibiotic and instead went for OTC meds. Benadryl and wasn’t cutting it, so I tried Sudafed. Wow- that was intense. After I took it and had that reaction, I remember why I hadn’t bought it in a good 15 years. I remember it having the same effect on me a long time ago.
I can’t take Sudafed- there’s something in it that makes my heart race real bad. Not sure if that’s a common side effect?
Yes, that's why if you have high blood pressure you can't take any of the effective decongestants.
Hmm. I’ve always had good blood pressure.
Pseudoephedrine is the original decongestant in Sudafed. It’s a sympathetic nervous system stimulant that induces “fight or flight” response, which raises your heart rate and blood pressure. Part of the effect is to constrict blood vessels, which is how it works as a decongestant. Constricting the capillaries in your sinuses and nasal passages reduces the swelling, which opens up the breathing passages.
Wow, interesting, thank you. I try not to take a lot of meds, but for a while there I was getting serious side effects from spring pollen. I was trying to avoid taking an antibiotic and instead went for OTC meds. Benadryl and wasn’t cutting it, so I tried Sudafed. Wow- that was intense. After I took it and had that reaction, I remember why I hadn’t bought it in a good 15 years. I remember it having the same effect on me a long time ago.