Nitrox and pseudoephedrine

[boulderjohn]

So -40m on 100% O2, I don't think any of us would willingly dive to that depth on 100% O2 even without taking pseudoephedrine.

Absolutely.

In the movie Dumb and Dumber, the main character is told that the odds of him ever getting together with the female lead in the story are about one in a million, and he excitedly says, "So you're telling me there's a chance!"

What I get from this research is that the odds of pseudoephedrine being a factor in oxygen toxicity are about nil, but some people are getting a different message.

 

[lairdb]

[...]

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My Comments on the above...

Years ago, DAN's only article on this (since removed) spent at least half of its content explaining the scientific process, in effect telling you why you shouldn't necessarily trust the conclusion of the report (it might be a factor in O2 toxicity). The tests described above are all more recent than that previous report. The truth is that there is no confirmed case of a diver getting O2 toxicity while using pseudoephedrine. The original article cited a couple of cases in which divers died alone with no obvious cause of death. They had been using nitrox and taking pseudoephedrine, and some people suggested that they might have toxed, and, if so, the pseudoephedrine might have been a factor.​

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[...]​

Incidentally, I spent a while looking for an article that I suspect is the one you're remembering ("since removed"). Check this, from the WayBack machine:
DiversAlertNetwork.org | Pseudoephedrine & Enriched-Air Diving?

 

[boulderjohn]

Incidentally, I spent a while looking for an article that I suspect is the one you're remembering ("since removed"). Check this, from the WayBack machine:
DiversAlertNetwork.org | Pseudoephedrine & Enriched-Air Diving?

No, that's not it, although it is similar. The one I remember included a reference to a study on lab mice being given a drug similar to pseudoephedrine.

 

[lairdb]

No, that's not it, although it is similar. The one I remember included a reference to a study on lab mice being given a drug similar to pseudoephedrine.

Ah. Try

https://archive.ph/J3Bzj

…or…

https://archive.ph/ChZ9n

 

[JMBL]

I’ve taken pseudoephedrine daily for about 15 years for allergies at my doctor’s direction. I dive nitrox when on open circuit. No issues.

Did the same for the same reason between 1994 and 2004 or so, never had any problem while diving, air or nitrox.

 

[RGDiver]

Pseudoephedrine while diving nitrox is something that I have used and have never had any issues. Personally I don't like it as it raises my heart rate. If you are taking medications of any kind while diving it's important to understand fully 'in advance' how those medications make you feel and how they affect your personal physiology. Pseudoephedrine will raise your heart rate and can make sleeping difficult. If diving while on medication(s) and using nitrox... you best plan your dives very conservatively and not get close to your MOD. There have been studies with lab rats having negative affects but as we all know everyones physiology is different and what is an issue for one is not for another. As an example, there have been plenty of divers that have been bent and never dived outside of the protocols. For me, if you are having a head cold its best not to dive but if its just allergies or the usual congestion, eustachian tube dysfunction etc... I have taken Flonase for a few weeks leading up to my dive once daily and during my dive week and that has help a great deal for me -- with zero side effects. There are also prescription meds you can take in conjunction with Flonase. It's best to have your ears looked at about a month or so before a dive trip, that's what I do. Have you and your doc figure out what works best for you as everyone is different.

 

[carono6333]

I’ve taken it while using nitrox. I was a bit hyped up from the medication, but noticed this more during conversations on the boat than in the water. I was diving with two doctors and their only comment was that i was rather talkative haha