Need Alternative To Sudafed 12 Hour

[cleung]

I have chronic allergies all year round and the only way I can clear my ears during diving is if I take Sudafed 12 hour tabs. My dive instructor suggested it right at poolside when I was having problems equalizing during my Basic course. Ever since then and now a Master Diver, I've always relied on Sudafed 12 hour with much success and no side effects at all.

I am based in Canada and have a my next trip in a month to Bay Islands. I just checked my stock and I have only three tabs left. I went to every pharmacy in my area and they all no longer stock Sudafed 12 hour tabs! I need something to clear my sinuses before and during my dives.

So right now my options are to use the short acting Sudafed that is still available but they last only 4-6 hours. The other option is to take one of the 12 hour formulations of products that combine a decongestant with an antihistamine and an analgesic as well in some cases.

I don't know what to do. I certainly don't want the short acting Sudafed to wear off while I'm in the water so if I take those, I may have to pop another in between dives if it's a day long boat dive. Or take one of those other 12 hour formulations that I have not tried yet.

Any advice on alternatives that have worked well for divers like myself?

 

[tbone1004]

mucinex D

 

[SOFDiver]

If your a DAN member, or even if you are not, give them a call. The physicians there are the medical experts in diving medicine, I'm sure they will have a better suggestion than anyone on SB.

 

[Jax]

Stay away from

Phenylephrine is a selective α1-adrenergic receptor agonist of the phenethylamine class used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil, and to increase blood pressure. Phenylephrine is marketed as an alternative for the decongestant pseudoephedrine, though clinical studies show phenylephrine to be no more effective than placebo.[1][2] Phenylephrine can also cause a decrease in heart rate through reflex bradycardia.[3]

 

[Jax]

Here's a list of alternatives, but I cannot vouch for it.

Pseudoephedrine - Doctor answers on HealthTap

 

[fmerkel]

Interesting.....I go to Costo (warehouse store in the US) and want to buy Sudafed and all they have is the 12 hours stuff. To me that stuff is awful. I take, 1 repeat 1, 30mg Sudafed to dive, so obviously there are physiologic differences. The 12 hour stuff is 120mg and makes me jittery as hell.

Chronic allergies eh? Sounds like you haven't been dealing with the root problem. Strongly suggest you check out the non-sedating over the counter/OTC antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin). There are several that are now OTC in the USA. You may have to play with them to figure out which one works best for you.

I also strongly suggest you start using a non-prescription nasal steroid like Flonase (also recently gone OTC). Use this on a routine basis for a couple weeks to see how much it helps.

Sudafed is a 'patch'. The above suggestions are more of a 'fix'. They can't fix your allergies but they work to minimize the effects of the allergies.

Now, if you meet anyone that is making crystal Meth, kick them in the nuts, HARD! They are the a$$holes that use pseudophedrine to make the meth so now we all have a hard and expensive problem getting what used to be a cheap and available medication. I hate it.

 

[uncfnp]

Don't know about Canada options but in the US pseudoephedrine is the only oral decongestqnt that has been shown effective for nasal congestion. Its the one we have to sign for. The other oral decongestant available here is phenylephrine and as Jax pointed out, it is not effective. An alternative would be a 12 decongestant nasal spray such as Afrin.

The pseudophedrine does not have to be "Sudefed" branded. Ask the pharmacist for any 12 hour pseudophedrine product, like the Mucinex D suggested by tbone. You can also look for the allergy/decongestant combos like Claritin D and Allegra D 12 hour or Zyrtec D (ask for the generic formulas). Another option, at least in the US, is to get a prescription for 12 hour pseudophedrine, less hassle when you go to the pharmacy.

 

[Altamira]

I could be wrong, but I think it is the 120mg dosage that makes it 12 hour Sudafed. Check with your doctor to see if you can take 4 x 30mg for the same effect. Like others, that much Sudafed in one dose makes me a bit jittery, so I take a lesser amount to cover me if I need a decongestant.

 

[uncfnp]

I could be wrong, but I think it is the 120mg dosage that makes it 12 hour Sudafed. Check with your doctor to see if you can take 4 x 30mg for the same effect. Like others, that much Sudafed in one dose makes me a bit jittery, so I take a lesser amount to cover me if I need a decongestant.

I really don't recommend that. The 12 hour version is time released so that 120 mg dose is released over a 12 hour period. Not the same as taking a whooping 120 dose of the short acting pill.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

For morning dives, we take a claritan or Zyrtec with breakfast, and as soon as we start for the boat, a squirt of Afrin in each nostril. Neither of us have been hit with bad allergies in the Carribbean, but we do this more as a safety measure. This combination is good (for us) for 24 hours and we have had no issues equalizing.

There are some that will caution you about a reverse block by taking allergy medication. I'm sure it's possible if the medication wore off during your dive but we are diving within the first few hours after taking it. Definitely something to consider though.

Good luck, safe travels.
Jay