Can you take decongestants with alcohol

An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. Also, before taking Sudafed, be sure to tell your doctor if you take any of the following medications:. Sudafed is safe for many people. However, you should avoid it if you have certain health conditions, which may get worse if you take Sudafed.

Before using Sudafed, be sure to tell your doctor if you have:. There are concerns of misuse with Sudafed because it can be used to make illegal methamphetamine, a very addictive stimulant. However, Sudafed itself is not addictive. There are also no warnings against drinking alcohol while taking Sudafed. However, in rare cases, alcohol may increase certain side effects of Sudafed, such as dizziness. Also call if you have a high fever. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

In most states, Sudafed is available over the counter OTC. However, some locations in the United States require a prescription. The states of Oregon and Mississippi, as well as some cities in Missouri and Tennessee, all require a prescription for Sudafed. The reason for these prescription requirements is that PSE, the main ingredient in Sudafed, is used to make illegal methamphetamine.

Also called crystal meth, methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug. These requirements help prevent people from buying Sudafed to make this drug. Efforts to prevent people from using PSE to make methamphetamine also restrict the sale of Sudafed.

It requires you to present a photo ID to buy products that contain pseudoephedrine. It also limits the amount of these products you can buy. In addition, it requires pharmacies to sell any products that contain PSE behind the counter. But when alcohol comes into play, an enzyme causes the toxicity level to rise to 4 or 5 percent, throwing your liver into the danger zone. Game plan: Timing plays a big role in your risk factor. So if you took a single Tylenol at lunch and wanted a single glass of wine at dinner, you should be in the clear, says Laura Knockel, a pharmacist and assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.

Watch out for: Most people run into issues when trying to cure a hangover. These OTC drugs fall into two categories: first generation and second generation. Like their name suggests, multi-symptom medications treat many ailments with one pill cold and flu, cough and congestion. To do that, each medicine has many active ingredients. But these medications also often contain things you have to watch out for when drinking, like acetaminophen or antihistamines.

Game plan: Keep an eagle eye on the back of the box. Robitussin, for example, comes in multiple varieties, some with acetaminophen and some with antihistamines.

Look for the main active ingredient the one with the largest number of milligrams per dose and determine if it will react poorly with alcohol. Watch out for: NyQuil can already have up to 10 percent alcohol in it. In those situations, trust that that will do the job—no need to layer alcohol on top of it. Watch out for: The only exception to the rule is ranitidine, the active ingredient in Zantac. Pseudoephedrine including Sudafed On this page About pseudoephedrine Key facts Who can and cannot take pseudoephedrine How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About pseudoephedrine Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that relieves a stuffy or blocked nose nasal congestion. This can happen when you have: a cold the flu allergies such as hay fever a sinus infection sinusitis You can buy pseudoephedrine from pharmacies and supermarkets. It comes as tablets, capsules and a liquid that you swallow. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today?

Pseudoephedrine usually starts to work in 15 to 30 minutes Common side effects include feeling sick, headaches, a dry mouth, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or increased blood pressure. It might also make you feel restless, nervous or shaky. Pseudoephedrine is also called by the brand names Sudafed or Galpseud Linctus. Important Do not give pseudoephedrine to children under 6 years.

Tell a pharmacist or doctor if you have: ever had an allergic reaction to pseudoephedrine or other medicines in the past high blood pressure hypertension heart disease taken medicines for depression known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs in the last 2 weeks diabetes an overactive thyroid gland hyperthyroidism glaucoma increased pressure in the eye an enlarged prostate men with difficulty peeing or needing to pee often liver or kidney problems.

The usual dose depends on the medicine you're taking. Important If you have bought pseudoephedrine or any medicine containing pseudoephedrine from a pharmacy or supermarket, follow the instructions that come with the packet or ask a pharmacist for advice. How to take it You can take pseudoephedrine tablets and liquid with or without food.

What if I forget to take it? If you forget to take a dose, take the next dose when you need it. Always leave at least 4 hours between doses. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Call for advice now if:.

Go to A serious allergic reaction is an emergency. These are not all the side effects of pseudoephedrine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. What to do about: feeling or being sick — try taking pseudoephedrine with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you do not eat rich or spicy food. If you have been sick, drink plenty of water by having frequent sips to avoid dehydration.

Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask a pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. If your headache does not go away, stop taking pseudoephedrine or see your doctor. It may be because pseudoephedrine can increase your blood pressure. Ask a pharmacist about trying a different medicine. Try not to watch television or use your mobile phone before going to bed. Try to relax for an hour before bedtime.

Pseudoephedrine and breastfeeding Pseudoephedrine is not recommended to take while you're breastfeeding. Non-urgent advice: Talk to a pharmacist or doctor if you're:. Check with a pharmacist or doctor if you're taking: antidepressants known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs digoxin, a medicine for heart failure tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline ergot alkaloids, such as ergotamine for migraine Pseudoephedrine is sometimes mixed with painkillers, such as cough and cold remedies.