What is Pseudoephedrine? What You Need to Know

By
Aanchal Rao
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What is Pseudoephedrine? What You Need to Know- DATOS

In today’s world, some folks are trying different things to feel high or have fun. Remember the Tide Pod Challenge on social media? Some thought it was exciting.

Many wanted to join in. Social media showed the fun, but not the harm it caused to many teens sent to the ER.

Just like other dangerous stuff people misuse, pseudoephedrine is in some over-the-counter meds. It’s risky in big amounts because it acts like a stimulant, making some misuse it to stay awake and feel energetic.

Pseudoephedrine is a kind of medicine. Doctors often use it to help with stuffy noses from allergies or colds. You can find it in medicines like Aleve, Allegra, Claritin, Mucinex, and Zyrtec.

Most people use it the right way, but some misuse it. They take too much on purpose to feel high, like with drugs like cocaine. When you take a lot, it can make you feel very energetic and hyper.

But using too much can be bad for your heart. It can make your heart beat too fast and raise your blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems. Misusing pseudoephedrine can be really strong, so it’s important to get help from a doctor if you’re struggling with it.

About Pseudoephedrine Misuse

Some people think pseudoephedrine isn’t likely to make you addicted like opioids or alcohol can. It doesn’t make your body crave it the same way.

But using it too much can still be really dangerous. Even if you don’t get physically addicted, you might start to rely on it emotionally or mentally. Addiction isn’t just about your body needing a substance.

When it comes to pseudoephedrine, people might not need it physically, but they could start to feel like they want it more and more. This can turn into a regular habit and cause health problems.

Why Do People Get Addicted to Pseudoephedrine

If misusing this stuff is so bad, why do people do it? Well, there are some reasons why folks start using and then abusing pseudoephedrine.

First, remember we talked about how some people try stuff to feel high? Well, that’s what happens with this stuff too. Pseudoephedrine can make you feel really good, like euphoria. It gives a nice feeling to the person using it.

So, some folks keep using it because it feels good. It’s tough to quit when something makes you feel good, even if you know it’s bad for you. The person might know that using it too much is bad, but they’re hooked mentally, emotionally, or even physically, and that makes it hard to stop.

Why You Shouldn’t Misuse This Stuff

Using this stuff can lead to many health issues. Sometimes, it can make your blood pressure go up or cause problems with your stomach. It has even led to appendicitis in some people.

This stuff can also make you see things that aren’t real, have seizures, and mess up your nervous system, even if you use a little bit. Misusing it can bring on other serious and uncomfortable symptoms, like:

  • Feeling sick (nausea)
  • Throwing up (vomiting)
  • Being really scared and suspicious (paranoia)
  • Losing weight
  • Feeling restless
  • Getting super anxious
  • Feeling confused
  • Having trouble thinking
  • Your heart beating weird
  • Weak muscles
  • Not being able to sleep (insomnia)
  • A tight feeling in your chest

If you have these symptoms because of misusing this stuff, it can make your daily life tough. That’s why it’s important to get help from a doctor or a program for prescription drug problems.

A Possible Path to Using Meth

You might have only thought of pseudoephedrine as a part of regular medicines you can buy. But it’s important to know that pseudoephedrine is what makes meth, a really addictive and harmful drug.

So, it’s possible for someone to start with something harmless like Sudafed, misuse it, and eventually move to using meth. Meth, also called methamphetamine, is super hard to quit once you start. People who were addicted to Sudafed might end up using meth.

Remember, one kind of drug misuse can lead to using another drug. Even if you don’t switch to another drug, you’ll still have the problems that come with drug dependence. So, it’s really important to be careful when using pseudoephedrine.

Being Cautious with Pseudoephedrine Medicine

It doesn’t mean you can’t take medicines with this stuff. Many of them are helpful for allergies or colds and won’t usually lead to addiction or misuse if used correctly.

But when you take more than what’s recommended, it can have bad effects, including the “high” some people want. Also, if you’re using a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, you have to be super careful with anything containing pseudoephedrine. Mixing them can cause a severe problem called malignant hypertension, which can harm your organs.

It’s really important to know the risks of using drugs, even if they’re medicines. Some medicines have pseudoephedrine, and using them the wrong way can lead to serious problems.

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