Decongestants

Phenylephrine (neo-synephrine®)

Actions: Stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors, increasing blood pressure and causing pronounced vasoconstriction in skin, mucous membranes, and mucosa. Produces mydriasis by contracting pupillary dilator muscle.

Nasal congestion: (ORAL)
Dosing (adult): 10mg (1 tablet) every 4 hours as needed. Maximum: 60mg per day. Sample product: Sudafed PE™

Nasal decongestant (therapy should not exceed 3 continuous days):
Children:
6-12 years: Instill 1-2 sprays or instill 1-2 drops every 4 hours of 0.25% solution as needed

Children >12 years and Adults: Instill 1-2 sprays or instill 1-2 drops every 4 hours of 0.25% to 0.5% solution as needed; 1% solution may be used in adult in cases of extreme nasal congestion; do not use nasal solutions more than 3 days

Pseudoephedrine (sudafed)

Actions: Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine. Its principal mechanism of action relies on its indirect action on the adrenergic receptor system. The vasoconstriction that pseudoephedrine produces is believed to be principally an α-adrenergic receptor response. While it may have weak or no direct agonist activity at α- and β-adrenergic receptors, the principal mechanism is to cause the release of endogenous norepinephrine (noradrenaline) from storage vesicles in presynaptic neurons.

[Decongestant]

Dosing:
Oral: Children:
6-12 years: 30 mg every 6 hours; maximum: 120 mg/24 hours

Adults: 30 to 60 mg every 4-6 hours. Sustained release: 120 mg every 12 hours. Maximum: 240 mg/24 hours

SUPPLIED:
Gelcap (Dimetapp® Decongestant): 30 mg
Liquid, as hydrochloride:
Triaminic® Allergy Congestion: 15 mg/5 mL (120 mL) [contains benzoic acid]
Syrup, as hydrochloride: 30 mg/5 mL (120 mL, 480 mL)
Tablet, as hydrochloride: 30 mg, 60 mg
Tablet, extended release, as hydrochloride:
Dimetapp® 12-Hour Non-Drowsy Extentabs®, Sudafed® 12 Hour: 120 mg
Sudafed® 24 Hour: 240 mg

Reference(s)

National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed Database.
Provides access to the latest drug monographs submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Please review the latest applicable package insert for additional information and possible updates. A local search option of this data can be found here.