Actifed Vs. Sudafed: Which To Take, And When?
Written: Jul 27 '00 (Updated Jul 31 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Helps Decongest Respiratory Passageways and Reduce Histamine Action
Cons: Dangerous To Individuals With Certain Health Problems Or On Certain Drug Therapies
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| ClaireKS's Full Review: Cold & Allergy Tablet |
Both Actifed and Sudafed are advertised as "cold and sinus" medications, but which one will work best for your particular ailment?
Each of the two products contains the same nasal decongestant "Pseudoephedrine HCL", which opens the passageway for freer breathing, and reduces swelling within the sinus cavities. The way in which this drug works, however, may cause serious problems for those who have heart disease or high blood pressure. Pseudoephedrine HCL causes certain types of cells to constrict (such as those that line your nasal passages), in order to bring down the swelling that causes the labored breathing that accompanies colds and allergies. But since this constricting action also affects vein and artery linings (thereby raising blood pressure), people with circulatory problems should not take this kind of drug except under the supervision of a physician.
Since Sudafed acts to decrease the swelling in your nose and sinuses, if you have nothing more than a stuffy nose (without nasal drip), or sinus trouble, then Sudafed is the product to take.
Actifed contains an ingredient that Sudafed does not, which is "Tripolidine HCL". This is an antihistamine; a drug that dries your nasal and sinus passageways. This drugs works by preventing your body from creating histamines. The histamine reaction occurs when your body senses a foreign substance (such as in allergic reactions or in the case of cold ("rhino") viruses running around your system). Histamine reactions cause your nose to drip constantly and your eyes to water. This is when you should reach for Actifed rather than Sudafed. Sudafed will not help your runny nose; only Actifed can do that.
Actifed also causes drowsiness that other products (like Sudafed) do not; this is due to the antihistamine, not the decongestant. If you don't want drowsiness, then choose a product that contains no antihistamines.
The simple rule of thumb here is; if you have a stuffy nose and no drip, then take Sudafed. If your nose is running and/or your eyes are watering, then take Actifed.
As for my own personal experiences with both products, Actifed tends to dry out my nasal passages so severely that I've often ended up with a nosebleed. I can avoid this however, by taking the product at longer intervals; every six or seven hours rather than every four or five. But it does take care of the runny nose and watery eyes extremely well. Sudafed does an excellent job in opening my sinuses, but the relief only seems to last just barely four hours.
But in both cases, check with your doctor first if you have circulatory problems, kidney trouble, are pregnant, or taking anti-depressant drugs. Decongestants tend to make the kidneys work overtime, and can negate the effectiveness of certain MAOI drugs (anti-depressants).
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ClaireKS
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Member: Claire (Nickname: LadyWolf)
Location: Northern Virginia
Reviews written: 62
Trusted by: 80 members
About Me:
Avid nature conservationist and friend to all living things.
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