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Chapter 3: Respiratory
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Asthma - adult treatment guidance
Asthma - paediatric treatment guidance
Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
The environmental impact of inhalers
Inhaled Corticosteroid Dose Comparison in Asthma
Guidance on croup
Nebulisation guidance
Oxygen guidance
3.1 Bronchodilators
3.2 Corticosteroids
3.3 Cromoglicate and related therapy, leukotriene receptor antagonists and phosphodiesterase type-4 inhibitors
3.4 Antihistamines, hyposensitisation, and allergic emergencies
3.5 Respiratory stimulants and pulmonary surfactants
3.7 Mucolytics
3.9 Cough preparations
3.10 Systemic nasal decongestants
3.11 Antifibrotics
Page last updated:
4 September 2019
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3.10 Systemic nasal decongestants
First Line
Second Line
Specialist
Hospital Only
| SELF-CARE: NHS England has published guidance for various common conditions for which over the counter (OTC) items should not be routinely prescribed in primary care. One of these conditions is coughs, colds, and nasal congestion. Many of these products are cheap to buy and are readily available OTC along with advice from pharmacies. Some self-care medicines are available from shops and supermarkets. |
Pseudoephedrine
- Tablets 60mg (£2.25 = 24 tablets)
- Oral solution sugar free 30mg/5ml (£0.70 = 100ml)
Indications
- Decongestant
Dose
- Adult: 60mg 3–4 times daily
- Child 6–12 years: 30mg 3–4 times daily
Notes
- Systemic nasal decongestants are of doubtful value but unlike the preparations for local application they do not give rise to rebound nasal congestion.
- Sympathomimetics should be avoided in patients with hypertension, hyperthyroidism, coronary heart disease, or diabetes, or severe renal impairment, and in patients taking monoamine-oxidase inhibitors.
- MHRA Drug Safety Update (February 2024): Pseudoephedrine: very rare risk of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS)
