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Suggest The Ideal Dosage For Pseudoephedrine Taken For Sinus

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Posted on Mon, 27 Jun 2016
Question: Hello. i take pseudoephedrine for sinus congestion when it's cloudy. Usually just two tablets at a time in a given day. Maybe once a week, or possibly twice, (except for when I have a cold). What would be the limit of regular usage? I'm always concerned about not taking "too much."
Same for Advil or Tylenol. I usually take two of them maybe two or three times a week for headache or some muscular discomfort. What would be "too much" for those as well??
Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
take less often

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
It is better not to take pseudoephedrine regularly as it can speed up the heart and cause other problems. Once or twice a month is probably okay. If you are having recurrent symptoms then taking a non-sedating antihistamine like loratadine daily and using nasal saline regularly may help keep you symptom free. Taking tylenol twice a week is fine as long as you have no liver problems, but try to avoid taking anti-inflammatories like advil regularly because they can damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers. Once a month for motrin would probably be okay.
Best regards,
DR. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (8 minutes later)
Thank you. Because of cloudy weather I predictably take it at least once a week. The usual headache unrelated to sinus is also probably once a week. I always feel much better with any of them. How extensive could be the cumulative effect by taking pseudoephedrine or Tylenol once or twice a week?

I have seen an alternative product called HCI but I have heard it doesn't provide the same relief. I also read that under 3 grams of Tylenol should be safe. I only take up to 1 gram, maybe one or two days a week. Advil is an alternative to Tylenol for me once in a while.

My wife tells me that lately she has been taking 1 or 2 regular Tylenol (325mg x 2) in the morning because she often wakes up with a headache. She's worried now because she has a little fatty liver.....
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
A few suggestions

Detailed Answer:
Your wife should not take tylenol if she has liver problems.
For you tylenol is safer than advil so try to use the advil only occasionally. There are no real cumulative effects of the pseudoephedrine but each time you take it it can raise your heart rate and blood pressure which is not a good thing.
Antihistamines and nasal saline are much safer for sinus problems and congestion than pseudoephedrine.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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Suggest The Ideal Dosage For Pseudoephedrine Taken For Sinus

Brief Answer: take less often Detailed Answer: Hello and thank you for your question. It is better not to take pseudoephedrine regularly as it can speed up the heart and cause other problems. Once or twice a month is probably okay. If you are having recurrent symptoms then taking a non-sedating antihistamine like loratadine daily and using nasal saline regularly may help keep you symptom free. Taking tylenol twice a week is fine as long as you have no liver problems, but try to avoid taking anti-inflammatories like advil regularly because they can damage the stomach lining and cause ulcers. Once a month for motrin would probably be okay. Best regards, DR. Robinson