Medications containing pseudoephedrine can be taken but with caution: Experts

There is no need to discard medications containing decongestant pseudoephedrine unless an individual has serious medical conditions like uncontrolled hypertension or kidney failure that increase the risk of serious side effects, said medical experts.

- Salma Khalik

However, they stressed the importance of adhering strictly to the prescribed dosage and seeking immediate medical attention if unusual symptoms such as nausea and visual disturbances emerge.

Some readers of The Straits Times have expressed concern after reading a report about pharmaceutical giant GSK's decision to stop producing Zyrtec-D, its popular antihistamine and decongestant, which contains pseudoephedrine, a drug that has been linked to rare but severe side effects.

Pseudoephedrine is found in about 30 medications registered in Singapore. Others that contain pseudoephedrine include Claritin-D, Telfast-D and Sudafed.

The drug has been linked to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS).

Although the risk of the drug inducing problems is small – and in most cases reversible – the two conditions can be serious.

PRES can cause visual problems, seizures and headaches, and affects thinking. It is treatable with early diagnosis.