Sudafed making me feel weird?

[Anonymous]

I’m assuming this is probably normal. I have a bad head cold and I’m taking regular Sudafed. It’s giving me weird lucid dreams and I haven’t been sleeping well. When I’m awake, things don’t feel real (I don’t know how else to describe it) for a couple hours immediately after (I’m taking the 12-hour, so I experience this twice a day.) Just really weird stuff, but it’s definitely helping!

Is this normal or am I losing it lol

[Anonymous]

It’s a very strong medication. That’s why it’s sold from behind the counter. You have to ask the pharmacist for it- though it doesn’t need a prescription , they will only sell it minimally.

[Anonymous]

Normal! I feel the same way on it. I hate taking it, but it does work.

[Anonymous]

I can’t take the 12 or 24 hr kind for this reason. Too strong. I fare much better taking the regular every 4-6 hr kind. My husband too. It’s a pain to keep taking it but that reaction isn’t there so worth it for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a very strong medication. That’s why it’s sold from behind the counter. You have to ask the pharmacist for it- though it doesn’t need a prescription , they will only sell it minimally.

No, that’s not why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m assuming this is probably normal. I have a bad head cold and I’m taking regular Sudafed. It’s giving me weird lucid dreams and I haven’t been sleeping well. When I’m awake, things don’t feel real (I don’t know how else to describe it) for a couple hours immediately after (I’m taking the 12-hour, so I experience this twice a day.) Just really weird stuff, but it’s definitely helping!

Is this normal or am I losing it lol

Don’t take it if it makes you feel weird. Duh….. so many other options. I personally take Allegra or Zyrtec daily and feel just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a very strong medication. That’s why it’s sold from behind the counter. You have to ask the pharmacist for it- though it doesn’t need a prescription , they will only sell it minimally.

No, it was moved behind the counter only in 2006 to combat illicit drug making. That’s also why the amount sold is regulated and a driver’s license is required.

(See the Wikipedia entries for Pseudoephedrine and the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 for more info.)

It’s one of the few available and effective OTC decongestants. But it also acts “as a stimulant, or as a wakefulness-promoting agent in higher doses.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m assuming this is probably normal. I have a bad head cold and I’m taking regular Sudafed. It’s giving me weird lucid dreams and I haven’t been sleeping well. When I’m awake, things don’t feel real (I don’t know how else to describe it) for a couple hours immediately after (I’m taking the 12-hour, so I experience this twice a day.) Just really weird stuff, but it’s definitely helping!

Is this normal or am I losing it lol

Don’t take it if it makes you feel weird. Duh….. so many other options. I personally take Allegra or Zyrtec daily and feel just fine.

Regular Allegra and Zyrtec are antihistamines, not decongestants, and OP said they have a bad cold, not allergies.

But agree it’s smart to take a lower dose and/or the minimal dose needed, and if feeling especially off, to call your PCP and/or discontinue use.

[Anonymous]

Sudafed is used to make meth. If it is impacting you like this, I would stop taking it. You could just be very sensitive to the pseudoephedrine. And that’s not necessarily a good thing. Perhaps call your Dr’s office.

Or you could try half a dose of the 4-6 hour which seems to be safer. I keep the 4-6 hour Sudafed on hand year round. One pill keeps my ears clear during allergy season when things get really bad. Two dries me up too much.

[Anonymous]

I had hallucinatory dreams taking it so no longer use it. Which is too bad b/c pseudoephedrine is the best option for sinus congestion, etc.

[Anonymous]

I can’t take Sudafed because it makes me feel so awful and weird.

[Anonymous]

It’s normal.

[Anonymous]

Sudafed will keep you awake. Take a smaller dose and the side effects will lessen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a very strong medication. That’s why it’s sold from behind the counter. You have to ask the pharmacist for it- though it doesn’t need a prescription , they will only sell it minimally.

No, that’s not why.

Lol +1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t take Sudafed because it makes me feel so awful and weird.

Same. Once they put it behind the counters I just never bothered with it again. My cold symptoms were never as bad as Sudafed made me feel.