An Introduction to the Side Effects of Pseudoephedrine
As with any medicine,
pseudoephedrine can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the medication will have problems. In fact, some people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with pseudoephedrine. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you. It should be noted that many pseudoephedrine products also contain other active ingredients. This article focuses primarily on the side effects of pseudoephedrine, not the other active ingredients in such products.)
Pseudoephedrine Side Effects to Report
Some pseudoephedrine side effects are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Heart palpitations
- A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Chest tightness
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Anemia
- Vision changes
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
- An unexplained rash
- Itching
- Hives
- Swelling of the mouth or throat
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing.