Pseudoephedrine Stats & Data
CNC(C)C(O)c1ccccc1KWGRBVOPPLSCSI-WCBMZHEXSA-NPharmacology
DrugBankDescription
Pseudoephedrine is structurally related to ephedrine but exerts a weaker effect on the sympathetic nervous system. Both drugs naturally occur in in ephedra plant which have a history of use in traditional Eastern medicine and were first researched in the west in 1889. The decongestant effect of pseudoephedrine was described in dogs in 1927.
Mechanism of Action
Pseudoephedrine acts mainly as an agonist of alpha adrenergic receptors and less strongly as an agonist of beta adrenergic receptors. This agonism of adrenergic receptors produces vasoconstriction which is used as a decongestant and as a treatment of priapism. Pseudoephedrine is also an inhibitor of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin transporters. The sympathomimetic effects of pseudoephedrine include an increase in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and chronotropic response of the right atria. Pseudoephedrine is also a partial agonist of the anococcygeal muscle. Pseudoephedrine also inhibits NF-kappa-B, NFAT, and AP-1.
Pharmacodynamics
Pseudoephedrine causes vasoconstriction which leads to a decongestant effect. It has a short duration of action unless formulated as an extended release product. Patients should be counselled regarding the risk of central nervous system stimulation.
Metabolism
Pseudoephedrine is <1% N-demethylated to an inactive metabolite. The majority of pseudoephedrine is eliminated unmetabolized in the urine.
Absorption
A 240mg oral dose of pseudoephedrine reaches a Cmax of 246.3±10.5ng/mL fed and 272.5±13.4ng/mL fasted, with a Tmax of 6.60±1.38h fed and 11.87±0.72h fasted, with an AUC of 6862.0±334.1ng\*h/mL fed and 7535.1±333.0ng\*h/mL fasted.
Toxicity
The oral LD50 of pseudoephedrine is 2206mg/kg in rats and 726mg/kg in mice. Patients experiencing an overdose of pseudoephedrine may present with giddiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, tachycardia, precordial pain, palpitations, difficulty urinating, muscle weakness, muscle tension, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, toxic psychosis, cardiac arrhythmias, circulatory collapse, convulsions, coma, and respiratory failure. Treat overdose with symptomatic and supportive treatment including removal of unabsorbed drug.
Indication
Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine used for its decongestant activity.
Half-life
The mean elimination half life of pseudoephedrine is 6.0h.
Protein Binding
-pseudoephedrine is 6.6±0.4% bound to human serum albumin and 22.5±3.2% protein bound in serum. +pseudoephedrine is 6.7±1.2% protein bound to human serum albumin and 25.4±3.9% protein bound in human serum.
Elimination
55-75% of an oral dose is detected in the urine as unchanged pseudoephedrine.
Volume of Distribution
The apparent volume of distribution of pseudoephedrin is 2.6-3.3L/kg.
Clearance
A 60mg oral dose of pseudoephedrine has a clearance of 5.9±1.7mL/min/kg.
Effect Profile
Curated + 21 ReportsStrong stimulation, euphoria, anxiety/jitters, and focus
Tolerance & Pharmacokinetics
drugs.wikiTolerance Decay
Experience Report Analysis
ErowidDemographics
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Reports Over Time
Effect Analysis
ErowidEffects aggregated from 21 experience reports (21 Erowid)
Effect Sentiment Distribution
Confidence Distribution
Positive Effects 7
Adverse Effects 7
Dose-Response Correlation
How effect frequency changes across dose levels
View data table
| Effect | Heavy (n=10) |
|---|---|
| Euphoria | 70.0% |
| Anxiety | 60.0% |
| Stimulation | 60.0% |
| Sedation | 30.0% |
| Sweating | 30.0% |
| Increased Heart Rate | 30.0% |
| Headache | 30.0% |
| Body High | 30.0% |
| Confusion | 20.0% |
| Nausea | 20.0% |
| Visual Distortions | 20.0% |
| Focus Enhancement | 20.0% |
| Auditory Effects | 20.0% |
| Memory Suppression | 20.0% |
Dose–Effect Mapping
Experience ReportsHow reported effects shift across dose tiers, based on 21 experience reports.
Limited tier coverage — most reports fall within the Heavy range. Effects at other dose levels may not be represented.
| Effect | Heavy (n=10) | |
|---|---|---|
| euphoria | ||
| anxiety | ||
| stimulation | ||
| sedation | ||
| sweating | ||
| increased heart rate | ||
| headache | ||
| body high | ||
| confusion | ||
| nausea | ||
| visual distortions | ||
| focus enhancement | ||
| auditory effects | ||
| memory suppression |
Dosage Distribution
Dose distribution from experience reports
Real-World Dose Distribution
62K DosesFrom 42 individual dose entries
Oral (n=36)
Common Combinations
Most co-occurring substances in experience reports
Form / Preparation
Most common forms and preparations reported
Body-Weight Dosing
Dose relative to body weight from reports with weight data
Redose Patterns
Redosing behavior across 16 reports