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Talk:Pseudoephedrine
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Revision as of 19:47, 1 October 2022 by >Caseys1122(I added some to the pharmacology section and added some more info abt sudafed's vasoconstriction, also fixed a typo)
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WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section.
DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes. It may be used as a nasal/sinus decongestant, as a stimulant, or as a wakefulness-promoting agent in higher doses.
Pseudoephedrine is closely related in structure to methamphetamine, although its CNS actions are much less potent and also longer-acting than those of the amphetamines. Its peripheral stimulant actions are similar to but less powerful than those of epinephrine (adrenaline), a hormone produced in the body by the adrenal glands.
As a result, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.
Pseudoephedrine naturally occurs in the plant Ephedra, which contains both Talk:Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is used over-the-counter as a nasal decongestant, which is usually combined with other medications such as NSAID's, acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin and various antihistamines. Pseudoephedrine is used as a precursor to methamphetamine, and is commonly referred to as "pseudo". Because of this, Pseudoephedrine is heavily regulated in most parts of the world, either being stored behind the counter, or completely banned.
Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine. Its principal mechanism of action relies on its direct action on the adrenergic receptor system. It increases catecholamine activity at alpha, beta-1, and beta-2 adrenergicreceptors.
Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWikicontributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.
It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.
Physical effects
Stimulation - Pseudoephedrine is reported to be mildly stimulating in moderate to high doses. This stimulation is reported to be weaker than other stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, but stronger than caffeine or nicotine.
Physical euphoria - Pseudoephedrine is capable of producing mild physical euphoria. This effect is reported to be slightly stronger than caffeine in non-tolerant users, but significantly weaker than other stimulants such as amphetamine.
Nausea - At high doses pseudoephedrine is reported to cause nausea.
Vasoconstriction - This effect is pronounced with pseudoephedrine and is especially useful for constricting inflamed blood vessels in the nasal passages. This is pseudoephedrine's primary therapuetic use.
Cognitive effects
Pseudoephedrine is commonly described as having a stimulating headspace. The cognitive effects of pseudoephedrine are usually somewhat weak, except at strong and heavy doses. It should also be noted that anxiety and negative adrenaline-related effects increase proportional to dose.
Cognitive euphoria - Pseudoephedrine is reported to produce mild cognitive euphoria stronger than that of caffeine but significantly weaker than other stimulants such as amphetamine.
The effects which occur during the offset of a stimulant experience generally feel negative and uncomfortable in comparison to the effects which occurred during its peak. This is often referred to as a "comedown" and occurs because of neurotransmitter depletion. Its effects commonly include:
Wakefulness - The insomnia following a repeated series of pseudoephedrine doses can last for longer than a day in some users.
Experience reports
There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index. Additional experience reports can be found here:
This toxicity and harm potential section is a stub.
As a result, it may contain incomplete or even dangerously wrong information! You can help by expanding upon or correcting it. Note: Always conduct independent research and use harm reduction practices if using this substance.
As with other stimulants, the chronic use of pseudoephedrine can be considered moderately addictive and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users.
Tolerance to the effects of pseudoephedrine are quickly built after repeated and frequent usage. Pseudoephedrine presents cross-tolerance with other dopaminergicstimulants, meaning that after the consumption of pseudoephedrine, most other stimulant compounds will have a reduced effect.
Warning:Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).
Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.
]] & ]] - 25x compounds are highly stimulating and physically straining. Combinations with Pseudoephedrine should be strictly avoided due to the risk of excessive stimulation and heart strain. This can result in increased blood pressure, vasoconstriction, panic attacks, thought loops, seizures, and heart failure in extreme cases.
]] - Combining alcohol with stimulants can be dangerous due to the risk of accidental over-intoxication. Stimulants mask alcohol's depressant effects, which is what most people use to assess their degree of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the depressant effects will be left unopposed, which can result in blackouts and severe respiratory depression. If mixing, the user should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
]] - Combinations with DXM should be avoided due to its inhibiting effects on serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. There is an increased risk of panic attacks and hypertensive crisis, or serotonin syndrome with serotonin releasers (MDMA, methylone, mephedrone, etc.). Monitor blood pressure carefully and avoid strenuous physical activity.
]] - Any neurotoxic effects of MDMA are likely to be increased when other stimulants are present. There is also a risk of excessive blood pressure and heart strain (cardiotoxicity).
]] - Some reports suggest combinations with MXE may dangerously increase blood pressure and increase the risk of mania and psychosis.
]] - Both classes carry a risk of delusions, mania and psychosis, and these risk may be multiplied when combined.
As such, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.
Australia - Pseudoephedrine is federally regulated as a schedule 3 (Pharmacist Only) medication
Mexico - Pseudoephedrine was made illicit due to the popularity of use as a precursor in the synthesis of methamphetamine.
United states - Pseudophedrine is federally regulated due to production of methamphetamine using pseudoephedrine, and legality can vary from state to state.
↑Talaie, H.; Panahandeh, R.; Fayaznouri, M. R.; Asadi, Z.; Abdollahi, M. (2009). "Dose-independent occurrence of seizure with tramadol". Journal of Medical Toxicology. 5 (2): 63–67. doi:10.1007/BF03161089. eISSN1937-6995. ISSN1556-9039. OCLC163567183.