Pseudoephedrine and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2022

Pseudoephedrine for Nasal Congestion "If you have any sort of history of anxiety or panic attacks, I strongly suggest reconsidering taking this medication. It kept my sinuses clear, but it made my heart rate skyrocket, kept me from sleeping, and made me feel like I was constantly having a panic attack. If you are like I was and you took this and you are now reading reviews desperately trying to figure out if you are losing your mind - you aren't. Stop taking the medication and give it a couple of days to return to normal. My doctor prescribed a small dose of a beta blocker (propranolol) for a couple of days to help with the fast heart rate, and it worked amazingly to help to get it under control. After about a week, I'd say I was completely back to normal. If you are sensitive to stimulants (ex. caffeine) or have anxiety/panic attacks, I would try not to take this medication unless absolutely necessary and be prepared for the side effects."

• Pam...
• September 19, 2015

For Nasal Congestion "My doctor says this medicine is not for ear pressure, but it sure helps me. I battle allergies all year long, but eliminating gluten has helped tremendously. I now take 1/4 tablet in the morning and again in the afternoon if needed. I NEVER take the full tablet. If my symptoms are really bad, I take 1/2 tablet more frequently, rather than a full tablet as directed. It can cause a racing heart and insomnia, so decrease dosage and only take what you need to take the edge off of your symptoms. Trust your body (oftentimes more than your doctor)."

• Coo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2016

Pseudoephedrine for Nasal Congestion "I've had plugged ears from sinus congestion for two weeks. I took two doses every four hours of two tablets each, and the congestion has finally cleared, but I didn't realize that it would make for a sleepless, jittery night and now a jittery morning with no appetite and mild nausea. Next time I would start with one tablet and see if that helps and make sure I had plenty of time before going to sleep."

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

For Nasal Congestion "Took one Sudafed 12 hr in the AM. It cleared up my congestion but also had a bad reaction. Heart racing, feeling of disconnect, tingly head, anxious, jittery but exhausted, horrible insomnia. Felt the same the next day. Took about 40 hrs to wear off. Will never take again!"

• rad...
• March 12, 2014

For Nasal Congestion "The medicine is very effective to relieve nasal congestion, like within 20 mins. But it causes disturbed sleep and keeps you alert. Nobody discussed in the above-given comments that it badly affects erection, so adults should be careful. This effect started with the 2nd dose of medicine in my case."

• Tda...
• January 31, 2017

For Nasal Congestion "I was feeling sick for about 3 weeks straight. Sore throat, cough, runny and stopped-up nose, horrible dry mouth, extra crusting around the eyes, just overall feeling crappy but not bedridden. The levels of crappiness that I felt got better and worse randomly. Every time I thought I was going to get well, the sickness came back the next day with full force. I finally went to the campus nurse. She told me I probably had two separate viral infections and told me to get pseudoephedrine and ibuprofen. I did this and I am feeling completely fine! It's been one day and I've taken two doses so far. I will say I could not sleep for more than three hours last night and I'm tweaking out a little bit. But otherwise, 10/10 would recommend."

• Swe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2013

For Nasal Congestion "I had a horrible reaction to pseudoephedrine. I sweated profusely after taking it for a week. It got worse every day. I didn't take it at night as I was warned it would cause insomnia. It did help my sinus infection along with Bactrim."

• Jak...
• October 16, 2018

For Nasal Congestion "Sudafed did nothing for my sinuses. Couldn’t sleep 2 days. No medicine works for me over the counter."