Yes, Sudafed is a stimulant drug that can become addictive when misused. Although it does not cause dependence or addiction when taken as recommended, Sudafed is often taken in high doses to cause euphoria.
Avenues Recovery, leaders in the addiction recovery industry, explore how Sudafed is misused, Sudafed's withdrawal symptoms, Sudafed overdose, and more.
What is Sudafed?
Sudafed is a nasal decongestant that is sold over the counter. It provides temporary relief for stuffy nose, mucus build-up, sinus infection caused by flu or the common cold, and other breathing issues caused by hay fever or allergies. It narrows the blood vessels in the upper nose area to decrease swelling and congestion, allowing the mucus build-up to drain.
The primary ingredient in Sudafed is Pseudoephedrine, a relatively safe drug also used in other medications to address the common cold or flu. The Food and Drug Association (FDA) has limited the amount of Pseudoephedrine an individual may purchase a month because the ingredient was being purchased to produce meth and other highly addictive, illicit street drugs.
Will Sudafed Get You High?
Yes, Sudafed can cause a level of euphoria, and a rush of endorphins (the hormone that causes people to experience pleasure). It is a widely-held misconception that Sudafed has a very low chance of being addictive. People who are addicted to Sudafed do not experience physiological cravings, so the substance itself isn’t truly addictive. But Sudafed addiction does occur when the medication is misused.
Sudafed does not create the same euphoric high or dependence as opioids or alcohol, meaning that most people do not become physically addicted to it. However, people can become mentally and emotionally dependent on Sudafed. This means that although their bodies don’t necessarily crave the substance, they may depend on it in other ways, like clearing their nasal passages and breathing normally.
Additionally, its active ingredient, Pseudoephedrine, can be highly addictive when mixed with other ingredients. For this reason, the government has put limitations in place. There is a limited amount of Pseudoephedrine that may be purchased in a month, ID must be shown at the time of purchase, and a log must be signed.
How Common Is Sudafed Misuse?
Sudafed abuse is rare, since the positive feelings it elicits isn’t as instant or strong as other addictive substances. However, its main ingredient, Pseudoephedrine, is addictive and has been greatly misused to produce other illicit and highly addictive substances, including bath salts and methamphetamine.
For this reason, although Sudafed is not a controlled substance (it can be brought over the counter, without a prescription), the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) has put measures in place to stop people from obtaining too much of the substance.
How is Sudafed Misused?
Sudafed may be utilized for its active ingredient, Pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is promoted as a drug that can increase alertness and performance, making it popular for people engaging in extreme sports, like athletes.
Pseudoephedrine is also used in the production of home labs to create methamphetamine, a highly addictive illicit drug. It creates an instant ‘high’ feeling that fades quickly. This causes users to take another dose soon after the first, which can rapidly lead to an addiction.
Methamphetamine can be taken orally in pill form, dissolved in water, smoked, or injected directly into the bloodstream. The method of methamphetamine use affects how quickly the user experiences euphoria and withdrawal, as well as different adverse side effects.
Short- Term Effects of Sudafed
In the short term, using more Sudafed than recommended can cause the user to feel euphoric, alert, and have excess energy. These pleasant feelings can cause the person to take another dose when the drug exits the body. At the same time, it can cause the following negative symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Urine retention
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Red eyes
- Dilated pupils
- Insomnia
- Irritability
Long-Term Effects of Sudafed
Although the short-term side effects are relatively mild, people who misuse Sudafed find that their bodies develop tolerance to the drug over time, much like any other drug. When the body develops tolerance, it requires a larger dose of the drug to feel the same level of excitement and euphoria that was previously felt with a lower dose.
With time, the person may come to take dangerously high levels of Sudafed in an attempt to recapture the initial experience. This can cause serious damage to the body in many ways, including:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hallucinations
- Significant weight loss
- Sleeping issues
- Tremors or seizures
- Lightheadedness
- Paranoia
- Confusion
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
Signs of Sudafed Abuse
Although Sudafed was previously easy to misuse because it was readily accessible, government restrictions today have made misuse less common. However, misuse can still occur, especially with other illicit substances that use Pseudoephedrine.
Below are some typical signs that you or loved one may be misusing Sudafed or Pseudoephedrine:
- Using Sudafed even when the common cold or flu has already disappeared
- Buying Sudafed whenever the restrictions allow
- Isolating from family, friends, social gatherings, and other obligations
- Sudden loss of interest in hobbies, relationships, and work
- Mood swings- feeling excited and euphoric for a period, and then down and depressed
- Displaying a dramatic change in social circles (addicts spend more time with addicted friends)
- Lack of personal hygiene and grooming, and other sudden changes to appearance
- Experiencing the withdrawal effects mentioned below when the drug wears off.
Sudafed Overdose
Can you overdose on Sudafed? The answer, unfortunately, is that yes, you can overdose when using a high dose of Sudafed in a short period of time. Overdose is caused by intentionally consuming more than recommended, or by using the drug when it is not safe to do so.
For example, people who are pregnant, have diabetes, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or cardiovascular disease, should not use Sudafed because their conditions can be exacerbated by the Pseudoephedrine in Sudafed, leading to an overdose.
People who overdose on Sudafed may experience seizures, hallucinations, elevated blood pressure, and other alarming physical side effects. If you suspect you or a loved one may have overdosed on Sudafed, call 911 immediately. Stay with the person until help arrives and let the emergency services know that you suspect the person has overdosed on Sudafed.
Sudafed Withdrawal
Once the Sudafed exits the body, as with all drugs, the user may experience withdrawal symptoms. While the drug is in the body, the person experiences pleasurable effects, but once the drug leaves, all those feelings wear off. This is because after constant misuse, the body craves Sudafed to function properly, and so adapting to the loss of Sudafed in the body is difficult.
Although there are no scientifically proven Sudafed withdrawal symptoms, people who misuse Sudafed report experiencing the following when the effects of the drug wear off:
- Increased appetite
- Sleepiness or lethargy
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Nasal congestion issues
- Unpleasant, vivid dreams
- Drug cravings
Treatment for Sudafed Abuse
Sudafed addiction is rare, but if you or someone you know is struggling with the condition, you’ll know that the effects can be as severe and damaging as any other substance abuse disorder. The earlier you seek intervention, the easier it is to start the path to recovery.
The first step to recovery is medical detox at a rehab center, hospital, or other medical institution. It involves tapering the person off Sudafed in the safest, most pleasant way, so they can rid their body of the toxins and start learning the tools of sobriety.
At Avenues Recovery, we offer medical detox, therapeutic support, and top-notch mental health counselors who can help you recover from addiction. With one-on-one and group therapies and support groups, you’ll discover the root cause of your addiction, and learn how to start living a serene, peaceful, satisfying life free of the cycles of addiction. Contact us today to join our vibrant recovery community and to begin your journey to recovery.