Cold medication, "do not take"?

noblehead

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For colds (thankfully don't get too many) I just take paracetamol if it comes with a thumping headache.
 

Mud Island Dweller

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Got a cold at the moment bloods more or less ok if they go high jump on the exercise bike for 10mins wallops it down. I am taking Beechams Ultra blackcurrant flavour packet things at the moment. I think they may just taste nice and not do a lot. I tend to get munchy stages with colds always have. Last night 2am got it so 2 sticks pepperami and a large ... well ok HUGE chunk of cheese and a large glass of very cold sugar free vimto. Fell asleep about an hour later.
 
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ElyDave

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The phenylephrine is an adrenaline mimic, raises blood pressure can also raise blood sugar.

I was takking it last Christmas until my BIL, a GP warned me off it, he also said in his experience that symptoms tend to rebound afterwards.
 

PaulinaB

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I'm starting to feel better, thanks :) spent the weekend in bed, so a lot of sleep and warmth :)

I'm curious, is pseudoephedrine banned in the uk? There seem to be no meds containing it, while it's usually available in other eu countries.
 
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ElyDave

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A quick bit of research suggests that pseudoephedrine can be more effective as it has two actions where phenylephrine has only one, but can be used as a precursor to methamphetamine, so is restricted in the US. If there are common production.markets that may explain it. Not sure if it's restricted in the UK.
 

PaulinaB

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A quick bit of research suggests that pseudoephedrine can be more effective as it has two actions where phenylephrine has only one, but can be used as a precursor to methamphetamine, so is restricted in the US. If there are common production.markets that may explain it. Not sure if it's restricted in the UK.
I find pseudoephedrine more effective and with no effect to my BG. But all over the counter meds in the UK seem to only contain phenylephrine, which apparently is not actually proven to be effective as a decongestant.
 

tim2000s

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Definitely available in the UK. It's where SudaFed gets its name from...

I tend to avoid buying pills when I'm blocked up as I find they make little difference, but on the occasions I've bought SudaFed or equivalents, I've not found it push my blood sugar or pressure up any more than the illness has already.

Different people react differently of course, and the reports on the packet will be because a very small number of users have reported adverse side effects, as with most OTC medications.
 
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carb addict

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Sudafed you get from the chemists counter not off the shelf. Ely Dave is right. They restricted it cause you can make crystal method from pseudephedrine. CSI rocks!
 
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ElyDave

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Definitely available in the UK. It's where SudaFed gets its name from...

I tend to avoid buying pills when I'm blocked up as I find they make little difference, but on the occasions I've bought SudaFed or equivalents, I've not found it push my blood sugar or pressure up any more than the illness has already.

Different people react differently of course, and the reports on the packet will be because a very small number of users have reported adverse side effects, as with most OTC medications.
sudafed no longer contains pseudoephedrine, I had a discussion with the pharmacist when I first noticed the change.
 

tim2000s

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sudafed no longer contains pseudoephedrine, I had a discussion with the pharmacist when I first noticed the change.

Interesting... You can still buy the Pseudoephedrine based versions from a fair few places who must have older stock.
 

xAoifex

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some of the preparations of sudafedare pseudoephedrine and some are phenylephrine ie the decongestant tablets are pseudoephedrine and the blocked nose capsules are phenylephrine
 
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If an athlete took a medicine with Pseudoephedrine in it, and drug tested, it was a ban, now if a high % is found in their urine then that still stays. Any drug containing this ingredient must not be used 24 hours before an event. It was found to enhance some performance's.
I prefer to let a minor ailment take its course and hopefully burn it's self out. If not, then probably a visit to my GP or surgery nurse.:nurse:

RRB
 
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loulou99782

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Are medicines like night nurse allowed for a Diabetic 2 person without any major effects - have been awake for nearly three nights now with hacking cough etc and would like to go and buy a bottle of NN but will that do bad things to me!!!
I am not sure about NN when ever I am thinking about buying OTC meds I go to my normal chemist and ask the pharmacist cause they know what meds I take.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
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