Sudogest Cold & Allergy Tablets
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. You can take this medication with or without food. If it causes stomach upset, taking it with food may help.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store your medication at room temperature in a dry place, avoiding the bathroom. Keep all medications in a safe location, out of the reach of children and pets. When disposing of unused or expired medications, do not flush them down the toilet or pour them down the drain unless instructed to do so. Instead, consult your pharmacist for guidance on the best disposal method. You may also have access to drug take-back programs in your area.
Missing a Dose
If you take this medication regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses. If you take this medication as needed, follow your doctor's instructions and do not take it more frequently than recommended.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Avoid alcohol and other sedating medications while taking this product, as it can increase drowsiness.
- Use caution when driving or operating machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- Stay hydrated to help with dry mouth, a common side effect.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose, as it can lead to serious side effects.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
Although rare, this medication can cause severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever), wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking, unusual hoarseness, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. Contact your doctor or seek medical help if you experience any of the following side effects or if they persist or bother you:
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Feeling nervous and excitable
- Difficulty sleeping
Additional Information on Side Effects
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. For medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe dizziness or drowsiness
- Nervousness, restlessness, or difficulty sleeping that is severe or persistent
- Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Significant increase in blood pressure
- Difficulty urinating
- Blurred vision
- Hallucinations or confusion
- Allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced.
If you have taken certain medications for depression or Parkinson's disease within the last 14 days, including isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline, as this may increase the risk of very high blood pressure.
If you are currently taking linezolid or methylene blue, as these medications can interact with this drug.
To ensure your safety, it is crucial to provide your doctor and pharmacist with a comprehensive list of:
All prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking
Any natural products or vitamins you are using
Your medical history, including any health problems you have
This information will help your doctor determine whether it is safe for you to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
Until you are aware of how this medication affects you, it is crucial to avoid driving and engaging in other activities that require alertness. It is also recommended to avoid consuming alcohol while taking this drug. Before using marijuana, other forms of cannabis, or any prescription or over-the-counter medications that may cause drowsiness, consult with your doctor.
If you are considering giving this medication to a child, it is vital to discuss the appropriate dosage with their doctor, as different brands may have varying dosage recommendations for children. When administering this medication to a child, exercise caution, as they may be at a higher risk of experiencing excitability. Furthermore, this medication should not be used as a means to induce sleep in children; instead, consult with their doctor for guidance.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, it is essential to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication with your doctor, taking into account the well-being of both you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Severe drowsiness or sedation
- Excitement, restlessness, or hallucinations (especially in children)
- Seizures
- Dilated pupils
- Flushing
- Dry mouth and skin
- Fever
- Unsteady gait
- Coma
- Severe hypertension
- Tachycardia, arrhythmias
- Respiratory depression
What to Do:
Immediately call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). Seek emergency medical attention. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic.
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) (concurrent use or within 14 days of MAOI discontinuation) - risk of hypertensive crisis
- Other sympathomimetics (e.g., decongestants, appetite suppressants, amphetamines) - increased cardiovascular effects
- Severe uncontrolled hypertension
Major Interactions
- CNS depressants (e.g., alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, opioids) - increased sedation and CNS depression
- Anticholinergic drugs (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, atropine, some antipsychotics) - increased anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision)
- Beta-blockers - may increase pseudoephedrine's pressor effects
- Digitalis glycosides - increased risk of ectopic pacemaker activity
- Ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine) - increased risk of vasoconstriction
Moderate Interactions
- Urinary acidifiers (e.g., ammonium chloride) - may increase pseudoephedrine excretion, decreasing its effect
- Urinary alkalinizers (e.g., sodium bicarbonate) - may decrease pseudoephedrine excretion, increasing its effect
- Antihypertensives (e.g., methyldopa, reserpine, guanethidine) - pseudoephedrine may reduce their hypotensive effects
Minor Interactions
- Certain herbal supplements (e.g., St. John's Wort, ephedra-containing products) - potential for additive effects or interactions
Monitoring
Symptom Monitoring
- Effectiveness in relieving cold/allergy symptoms (nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes)
- Adverse effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, nervousness, insomnia, palpitations, increased blood pressure
- Signs of overdose: Severe drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, severe hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmias
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Category C. Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Pseudoephedrine use in the first trimester has been associated with a small increased risk of gastroschisis and other vascular disruptions, though data are conflicting. Chlorpheniramine is generally considered safer in later trimesters but should be used cautiously.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
L3 (Moderately Safe). Both chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine are excreted into breast milk. Pseudoephedrine can reduce milk supply. Chlorpheniramine can cause drowsiness or irritability in the infant. Use with caution, monitor infant for adverse effects, and consider alternative non-pharmacological treatments or single-ingredient products if possible.
Pediatric Use
Not recommended for children under 12 years of age without physician consultation due to risk of serious side effects, especially with pseudoephedrine. Over-the-counter cough and cold products are generally not recommended for children under 6 years of age. Always use pediatric-specific formulations and dosing for younger children if prescribed.
Geriatric Use
Increased susceptibility to anticholinergic effects (e.g., sedation, confusion, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation) and adrenergic effects (e.g., increased blood pressure, tachycardia, insomnia) due to age-related changes in metabolism and sensitivity. Use with caution, start with lower doses, and monitor closely for adverse effects. Avoid in elderly patients with prostatic hypertrophy, glaucoma, or cardiovascular disease.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Advise patients that this product can cause drowsiness and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how it affects them.
- Emphasize the importance of not exceeding the recommended dose due to the risk of serious cardiovascular and CNS side effects from pseudoephedrine.
- Counsel patients with pre-existing conditions like hypertension, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, or prostate enlargement to consult a doctor before use.
- Remind patients to check other medications for similar active ingredients to avoid accidental overdose.
- Pseudoephedrine can be diverted for illicit purposes; advise patients of legal restrictions on purchase limits.
Alternative Therapies
- Single-ingredient antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, fexofenadine, cetirizine for non-drowsy relief; diphenhydramine for drowsy relief)
- Single-ingredient decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine)
- Nasal saline sprays/washes
- Nasal corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone, triamcinolone)
- Oral cromolyn sodium (for allergy prevention)
- Non-pharmacological measures (e.g., humidifiers, rest, fluids)