Sudafed vs. Sudafed PE

[Mantasscareme]

Quick question: is it possible to take decongestants in your carry-on while traveling abroad, as in, is it posssible that something like sudafed might not clear customs in foreign countries, or are you allowed to travel with over-the-counter stuff?
Thanks
-Mantasscareme

 

[GrierHPharmD]

First of all, it's nice to meet you, Dr. Mikki, PharmD. Always glad to know another diving pharmacist!

Mantasscareme, I can't speak definitively, but I have traveled to quite a few places outside the US and have never had trouble with OTC medications. That being said, I always carry unopened packages and usually have the names of any medications, prescription or OTC, written in English and the native language, when I can find them. Again, nasal sprays look much less like drugs of abuse, so they're more likely to get through any customs checkpoints, but in general, I've never had any problems.

(Of course, when you work in the drug industry you never, ever declare that to customs. I usually say that I'm a business consultant. I had a friend say that she worked for the pharmaceutical industry once, and she had to undergo a full search of her person and luggage. Not too much fun. And that was in Canada!)

Safe ascents,
Grier

 

[Mantasscareme]

Thanks

 

[mrobinson]

Sudafed - a side effect is anxiousness. I especially don't take it when PMSing and diving because at 80' narcosis is a female dog....
Any different with the newer version?

 

[GrierHPharmD]

Sudafed - a side effect is anxiousness. I especially don't take it when PMSing and diving because at 80' narcosis is a female dog....
Any different with the newer version?

As Dr. Mikki said, the CNS side effects with phenylephrine are more severe than with pseudoephedrine, so I wouldn't recommend using it. In fact, I'm hard pressed to think of any situation where I'd recommend a phenylephrine product.

Stick with the long-acting sprays for congestion and you'll avoid any CNS effects and the associated increase in OxTox risk. They work well and they work fast.

-Grier