What if you accidentally took two Sudafed tablets? (3+ tips)

In this article, we will answer the question, “What if you accidentally took two Sudafed tablets?”. We will discuss the potential side effects associated with double-dosing Sudafed, how to manage your condition in case of accidental overdosing and strategies for preventing accidental overdosing in the future.

What if you accidentally took two Sudafed tablets?

If you have taken two Sudafed 12-hour tablets and you feel unusual or start experiencing side effects, you should contact emergency services and your healthcare provider for medical assistance.

Sudafed contains pseudoephedrine and is a nasal decongestant. This medication is used to provide temporary relief from sinus pressure and nasal congestion.

The Sudafed 12-hour (also known as Sudafed Sinus Congestion 12-hour) is recommended to be taken 12 hours. It is advised to take only two tablets within a 24-hour duration.

Taking two tablets at once can result in an overdose and can cause side effects in the individual taking the medication. Side effects of Sudafed overdose may require medical assistance.

What are the side effects of overdosing on Sudafed?

The potential side effects of taking two tablets of Sudafed 12-hour tablets are as follows (1,2):

• Anxiety
• Headache
• Tinnitus
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Tachycardia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Palpitations
• Euphoria
• Ataxia
• Chest pain
• Changes in blood pressure
• Increased thirst
• Sweating
• Difficulty urinating

Keep in mind that not all individuals who have accidentally taken two Sudafed tablets experience these side effects.

If you have overdosed on Sudafed and experience any of the above symptoms, you should immediately contact your healthcare provider and seek medical assistance.

How to manage if you take two Sudafed tablets?

If you have accidentally taken two Sudafed 12-hour tablets, the following steps should be followed immediately to ensure safety.

How soon will Sudafed’s effects wear off?

After an overdose, the side effects occurring may vary from person to person. This is because each individual is different and reacts differently to Sudafed.

The side effects experienced during an overdose of Sudafed 12-hour may take several hours to subside. This is because Sudafed 12-hour is an extended-release formulation with a very long elimination half-life.

Some side effects can linger on for almost 1-4 days. Try not to take any other cold and flu medications like Dayquil during this duration to avoid side effects.

How to prevent accidental double dosage of Sudafed?

A few tips to prevent accidental double dosing or overdosing of Sudafed are as follows:

Keep a log: A medicine log can help in remembering if you have taken your medication or not.

Use a pill organiser: Pill organisers can help you sort your pills beforehand. This prevents you from accidentally taking more than your desired dose.

Do not repeat if not sure: If you are not sure whether you have taken your medication or not, you should not repeat a dose in confusion. A missed dose is better than taking excessive medication.

Read labels carefully: Read the instructions and labels of the medicine very carefully. Understanding the dosing instructions of Sudafed 12-hour can prevent overdose.

Handling accidental double dosage of Sudafed

In my experience as a pharmacist, if you have accidentally double-dosed Sudafed 12-hour, you should contact your healthcare provider. If you feel anything unusual, you can call emergency services for immediate medical assistance.

An overdose of Sudafed 12-hour can be avoided if you follow the instructions on the information leaflet and keep track of your medicine intake. Pill organisers and log charts can help you remember whether you have taken the medicine or not.

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