Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
Sudafed PE is used to treat nasal and sinus congestion, or congestion of the tubes that drain fluid from your inner ears, called the eustachian (yoo-STAY-shun) tubes.
Sudafed PE may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Do not use Sudafed PE if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
Do not give Sudafed PE to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cough or cold medicine. Phenylephrine or other decongestants are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains phenylephrine or a decongestant.
Before taking this medicine
Do not use Sudafed PE if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
You should not not use Sudafed PE if you are allergic to phenylephrine or to other decongestants.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take Sudafed PE if you have:
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Sudafed PE will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor"s advice if you are pregnant.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
Phenylephrine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor"s advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Artificially sweetened liquid medicine may contain phenylalanine. Check the medication label if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
How should I take Sudafed PE?
Use Sudafed PE exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cold medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.
You may need to shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Sudafed PE. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Sudafed PE is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking Sudafed PE?
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cough or cold medicine. Sudafed PE or other decongestants are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of a certain drug. Check the label to see if a medicine contains phenylephrine or a decongestant.
Sudafed PE side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Sudafed PE: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Sudafed PE and call your doctor at once if you have:
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fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat;
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severe dizziness or anxiety;
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easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms; or
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dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, ringing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, trouble breathing, uneven heart rate, seizure).
Common Sudafed PE side effects may include:
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loss of appetite;
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warmth, tingling, or redness under your skin;
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feeling restless or excited (especially in children);
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sleep problems (insomnia); or
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skin rash or itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Sudafed PE?
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking Sudafed PE with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
