paracetamol + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine classes
Analgesic and antipyretic combined with a sympathomimetic decongestant.
Important duplication check
Do not combine with another paracetamol-containing product or another decongestant.
Blood pressure
Pseudoephedrine can increase blood pressure and heart rate and is unsuitable with some cardiovascular conditions.
What is paracetamol + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride used for?
Selected products provide symptomatic relief and do not treat the underlying infection or allergy.
Cold and influenza symptoms including blocked nose or sinuses, headache, aches, pain and feverishness.
Some products also cover congestion with sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, allergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis when accompanied by mild-to-moderate pain or fever.
How does paracetamol + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride work?
Paracetamol reduces pain and fever, partly through effects on prostaglandin production in the central nervous system. Pseudoephedrine stimulates adrenergic pathways, narrowing swollen blood vessels in the nasal lining.
paracetamol + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 500 mg + 30 mg
How to take paracetamol + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
Take by mouth and follow the exact product instructions, as formulations and licensed ages differ. Tablets should be swallowed with water and may be taken with or without food.
Check cough, cold and pain-relief products for paracetamol or a decongestant before combining them.
Limit caffeine if it worsens restlessness, shaking or a fast heartbeat.
Ask a pharmacist if pack instructions are unclear or the intended user is a child.
paracetamol + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache or dizziness
- Difficulty sleeping, nervousness or restlessness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Shaking
Get urgent medical advice
- Fast, irregular or persistent pounding heartbeat
- Sudden severe headache, confusion, seizure, vomiting or visual disturbance
- Sudden loss or reduction of vision
- Sudden abdominal pain or rectal bleeding
- Fever with widespread redness and numerous small pustules
- Swelling, breathing difficulty or another severe allergic reaction
- Yellow skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding
paracetamol + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride in pregnancy
The combination is not routinely recommended during pregnancy because pseudoephedrine may reduce placental blood flow and pregnancy safety data are limited. Paracetamol alone is generally a preferred option for pain or fever in pregnancy; speak to a pharmacist, midwife or prescriber before considering this combination.
paracetamol + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
The combination is not usually recommended because pseudoephedrine enters breast milk, may cause infant irritability or disturbed sleep, and may reduce milk production. Discuss alternatives with a pharmacist or prescriber, particularly for a premature or unwell infant.
paracetamol + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride interactions
Check the full medicine list, including non-prescription cold remedies, before use.
Other paracetamol-containing products
Combining products can cause inadvertent paracetamol overdose and serious liver injury.
Other sympathomimetic decongestants
Concurrent oral or nasal decongestants can increase cardiovascular and other sympathomimetic adverse effects.
Common questions about paracetamol + pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is it used for?
It temporarily relieves blocked nasal or sinus passages occurring with pain, headache, aches or feverishness. Licensed conditions differ between products.
Can it cure a cold or sinus infection?
No. It relieves symptoms but does not eliminate the virus, allergy or other underlying cause.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.