Worst Pills, Best Pills

An expert, independent second opinion on more than 1,800 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements

pseudoephedrine (ALLEGRA-D 12 HOUR ALLERGY AND CONGESTION, SUDAFED, SUDAFED 12 HOUR, SUDOGEST)


E-ALERTS

Search results below include E-Alerts where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion.


DISEASE AND DRUG FAMILY INFORMATION

Search results below include Disease and Drug Family Information where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion.

Allergy and Hayfever
If you suffer from an itchy and runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and a tickle in the back of your throat, then you probably have an allergy. An allergy means a hypersensitivity to a particular substance called an allergen. Hypersensitivity means that the body’s immune system, which defends against infection, disease, and foreign bodies, reacts inappropriately to the allergen. Examples of common allergens are pollen, mold, ragweed, dust, feathers, cat hair, makeup, walnuts, aspirin, shellfish, poison ivy, and chocolate.
Cough and Cold
Many prescription or over-the-counter drug combinations of two or more ingredients should not be used because they are irrational combinations of single ingredients, some of which are safe and effective and sensible to use alone if treating the symptom for which they are intended. The combinations, however, present extra risks for extra ingredients that will usually not add any benefit (possibly a risk) to the first ingredient and will invariably cost much more than the single ingredient alone.

DRUG AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PROFILES

A comprehensive review of the safety and effectiveness of this drug. If the drug is not a Do Not Use product, information on adverse effects, drug interactions and how to use the medication are included.
Search results below include Drug and Dietary Supplement Profiles where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion.

pseudoephedrine (ALLEGRA-D 12 HOUR ALLERGY AND CONGESTION, SUDAFED, SUDAFED 12 HOUR, SUDOGEST)
  • We list this drug as a Do Not Use drug because it raises heart rate and blood pressure and causes heart attacks and strokes.

WORST PILLS, BEST PILLS NEWSLETTER ARTICLES

Search results below include Worst Pills, Best Pills Newsletter Articles where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion.

Drug-Induced Insomnia
March 2023
Learn about the numerous prescription and over-the-counter medications that can cause or exacerbate insomnia.
Drug-Induced Urinary Incontinence
September 2022
Numerous prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause or exacerbate urinary incontinence. Knowing which medications prescribed or recommended by your doctor cause urinary incontinence will allow you to take steps to prevent or minimize this common, troubling adverse drug effect.
Treatment for Nasal Allergies: An Updated Review
April 2016
With spring time pollen counts soaring, many patients with seasonal nasal allergies will be looking for relief from allergy medications. Learn the best available treatments to stay safe and relatively symptom-free during allergy season and throughout the year.
Adverse Reactions to Cough and Cold Meds Sent 1500 Babies to the Emergency Room in 2004, 2005
March 2007
Prescription and over-the-counter cough and cold medications should not be used in children younger than 2 years of age. For example, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement advising that parents should be told that efficacy of the cough suppressants codeine and dextromethorphan in young children was unproven, and that there is a potential for adverse drug reactions.
Drug Induced Psychiatric Symptoms (Part 2)
November 2002
This is the second of a two-part series on drug-induced psychiatric symptoms that began in last month’s Worst Pills, Best Pills News. The information is based on the July 8, 2002 issue of The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics. Article lists drugs and adverse effects.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC CITIZEN

Search results below include Additional Information from Public Citizen where your selected drug is a primary subject of discussion.

FDA Neglecting Its Responsibility to Protect Children From Risky, Ineffective Cough and Cold Medicines
By simply warning parents not to administer over-the-counter cough and cold remedies to children under the age of 2, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has failed to properly address the glaring risks presented by this category of drugs, Public Citizen said today.
Children Under 12 Should Not Be Given Cough, Cold Medications, Public Citizen Tells FDA
Children under the age of 12 should not be given over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines, and remedies aimed specifically at children should be removed from the U.S. market, Public Citizen said today in testimony before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).