Pseudoephedrine formulations

Panadol Cold & Flu Day* is specially formulated with pseudoephedrine

Formulations with pseudoephedrine provide effective nasal decongestion.¹

^{*these products contain paracetamol as well, therefore should only be taken if other cold and flu symptoms are present that require treatment with an analgesic ie. pain, fever.}

Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine

Pseudoephedrine is an orally active alpha adrenoceptor agonist with vasoconstrictor and decongestant effects on the nose in normal subjects, acting by constricting venous sinusoids and decreasing nasal congestion.² It is predominantly an indirect-acting sympathomimetic amine with a less-direct adrenergic effect than its epimer, ephedrine.¹

Oral pseudoephedrine effectively decongests the mucus membranes of the nose and sinuses¹

Pseudoephedrine provides relief from nasal congestion¹

Opens the nose

The action of pseudoephedrine on mucus membranes opens the nose by constricting the large nasal veins in the anterior part of the nose that control nasal airway resistance.³

Improves nasal airflow

Pseudoephedrine 30 mg is an effective decongestant of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, the nasal mucosa and sinuses. This has been measured by nasal airflow, in patients with the common cold and rhinitis and following histamine challenge in normal subjects, and in patients with allergic rhinitis.¹
Pseudoephedrine is absorbed completely from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration¹

A study found that a single dose of pseudoephedrine was able to improve nasal patency

In a double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study of 52 common cold patients, a single dose of oral pseudoephedrine (60 mg) significantly increased the dimensions of the nasal cavity over a 60-150 minute measurement window, compared to a placebo. This increased nasal patency significantly improved the symptoms of congestion over the test period.²

Study summary
Pseudoephedrine significantly improves nasal airway resistance (NAR)⁴

Pseudoephedrine had a statistically significant lower NAR curve vs placebo from day 1

In a double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study of 238 nasal congestion patients with upper respiratory tract infections, conducted over 3 study days, nasal airway resistance (NAR) was measured via posterior rhinomanometry at baseline and again after treatment with pseudoephedrine (60mg).⁴

60mg pseudoephedrine significantly reduced NAR at 0–3 hours post-dose compared with placebo, at both Day 1 and following multiple doses on Day 3.

Clinical summary
Side Effects

Nervousness, insomnia, dizziness, vomiting, dry mouth, and nausea are common.

Agitation, restlessness, urinary retention, and dysuria are uncommon.

Hallucinations (particularly in children), tachycardia, palpitations, increased blood pressure, acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), allergic dermatitis, and rash are rare.

Side effects of unknown frequency may include: anxiety, headache, and tremor.

The following convention has been utilised for the classification of the frequency of adverse reactions: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1000), very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from available data).¹

Panadol Cold&Flu product range

Panadol Cold & Flu Night

Panadol Cold & Flu Night contains pseudoephedrine in the night-time tablets for overnight relief of congestion. In addition, this product contains: Paracetamol and Chlorphenamine.