Originally posted by Drew Sailbum
in any event, what is most important is how the medication affects you.
Sudafed puts me to sleep reliably enough I could use it for insomnia. :snooze: The box can say non-drowsy, or anything else, but I won't take it and dive. Sleeping with the fishes just isn't a good thing. :drown:
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), being a distant derivative of adrenaline, should not put you to sleep! Here are the stated side effects (though insomnia is mentioned, it's rare -- check that you aren't using a product where pseudoephedrine is mixed with an antihistamine like diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine):
"As with any sympathomimetic agent, cardiovascular adverse effects may occur including angina, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, or myocardial infarction; these effects generally occur at excessive dosage or in patients at higher risk (see Contraindications/Precautions). Cardiac arrhythmias secondary to pseudoephedrine which may occur in the general population at therapeutic doses include palpitations, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), or sinus tachycardia. Well-controlled hypertensive patients receiving pseudoephedrine at recommended doses (60 mg PO qid) do not appear at high risk for clinically significant elevations in blood pressure,[741] however, increased blood pressures (especially systolic hypertension) has been reported seen in some patients with controlled hypertension.[2843]
Ocular effects can occur with pseudoephedrine products. These can include increased intraocular pressure (ocular hypertension) and photophobia.
Pseudoephedrine also can produce GI and GU effects such as nausea/vomiting, anorexia, and dysuria. Ischemic colitis has been associated with the use of pseudoephedrine and may present with symptoms of abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Colitis may result from reversible splanchnic arterial vasoconstriction and may occur with acute or chronic use; the ischemic symptoms usually resolve upon discontinuation of pseudoephedrine.
Several significant dermatological reactions have been reported infrequently with pseudoephedrine use. These reactions include: fixed drug eruption or exanthema, erythema, contact dermatitis, and other rash (unspecified). In general, the onset of the skin reactions occurs within 24 hours of administration and resolves in 23 days following drug discontinuation."
I take a 12 hour time released combination of pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin (a mucous -thinning agent/expectorant). The guaifenesin thins out mucous and stimulates a slightly increased production of it. For me, the combination helps to keep my eustacian tubes open and possibly helps to combat dry mouth.
It is available by prescription under many different brand names and many different mixes of pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin.
:doctor:
Dysuria. Of course! How did I miss that? 
