Pseudoephedrine
alpha-Adrenergic Agonist — RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Also known as: (+)-Pseudoephedrine, pseudoephedrine HCl, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine polistirex, pseudoephedrine sulfate, pseudophedrine sulphate
Data last refreshed: (DrugCentral release 2024-11-01)
Key facts
Pseudoephedrine is an ofp drug in the alpha-Adrenergic Agonist class catalogued in DrugCentral. It was first approved by the FDA in 1963. Its mechanism of action is classified as Adrenergic alpha-Agonists. DrugCentral lists 4 molecular targets, including ADRB2, ADRA2A and SLC6A2. Recorded indications include Allergic conjunctivitis, Allergic rhinitis, Common cold and Eustachian Tube Congestion.
- Approval status: ofp (first approved 1963 by the FDA).
- Drug class: alpha-Adrenergic Agonist.
- Mechanism of action: Adrenergic alpha-Agonists.
- Molecular targets: ADRB2, ADRA2A, SLC6A2 and ADRA1A (4 listed in DrugCentral).
- Indications: Allergic conjunctivitis, Allergic rhinitis, Common cold, Eustachian Tube Congestion and Headache disorder and others.
- ATC code: R01BA02 (Sympathomimetics).
- Molecular formula: C10H15NO; molecular weight 165.24 g/mol.
Indications & contraindications
Drug–disease relationships curated by DrugCentral (OMOP / SNOMED concepts).
Indications (12)
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Allergic rhinitis
- Common cold
- Eustachian Tube Congestion
- Headache disorder
- Influenza-like symptoms
- Nasal congestion
- Nasal discharge
- Rhinitis
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis
- Sinus headache
- Vasomotor rhinitis
Contraindications (88)
- Achalasia of esophagus
- Acidosis
- Acute abdominal pain
- Acute exacerbation of asthma
- Acute hepatitis
- Acute nephropathy
- Acute pancreatitis
- Acute Thromboembolic Stroke
- Alcohol intoxication
- Alcohol withdrawal delirium
- Alcoholism
- Anemia
- Angina pectoris
- Angle-closure glaucoma
- Arterial thrombosis
- Arteriosclerotic vascular disease
- Asthenia
- Atony of colon
- Autonomic dysreflexia
- Benign intracranial hypertension
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Bladder outflow obstruction
- Bleeding
- Blood coagulation disorder
- Body fluid retention
- Bradycardia
- Brain damage
- Breastfeeding (mother)
- Cardiovascular event risk
- Central nervous system depression
- + 58 more
Mechanism & targets
| Mechanism of action (MoA) | Adrenergic alpha-Agonists |
|---|---|
| Established pharmacologic class | alpha-Adrenergic Agonist |
Molecular targets (4)
| Target | Gene | Action | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beta-2 adrenergic receptor | ADRB2 | unknown | — |
| Alpha-2A adrenergic receptor | ADRA2A | unknown | — |
| Sodium-dependent noradrenaline transporter | SLC6A2 | releasing agent | — |
| Alpha-1A adrenergic receptor | ADRA1A | unknown | — |
Regulatory approvals (1)
| Date | Agency | Marketed as | Applicant | Orphan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963-10-18 | FDA | — | SCHERING PLOUGH |
ATC classification
| ATC code | Therapeutic hierarchy |
|---|---|
R01BA02 | RESPIRATORY SYSTEM › NASAL PREPARATIONS › NASAL DECONGESTANTS FOR SYSTEMIC USE › Sympathomimetics |
R01BA52 | RESPIRATORY SYSTEM › NASAL PREPARATIONS › NASAL DECONGESTANTS FOR SYSTEMIC USE › Sympathomimetics |
Reported adverse-event signals
Strongest FDA FAERS disproportionality signals (log-likelihood ratio). A signal is a statistical association in spontaneous reports, not proof that the drug causes the event.
| MedDRA term | LLR |
|---|---|
| Pemphigus | 5066.7 |
| Systemic lupus erythematosus | 4823.4 |
| Glossodynia | 4600.8 |
| Hand deformity | 4512.7 |
| Wound | 4406.0 |
| Pericarditis | 4304.7 |
| Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody positive | 3764.8 |
| Synovitis | 3592.1 |
| Duodenal ulcer perforation | 3360.0 |
| Helicobacter infection | 3197.8 |
| Discomfort | 3150.3 |
| Arthropathy | 3094.2 |
Chemical structure
Full physicochemical, ADMET and 3D-structure analysis of Pseudoephedrine is on its molecule page.
| Molecular formula | C10H15NO |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 165.24 g/mol |
| CAS number | 90-82-4 |
| InChIKey | KWGRBVOPPLSCSI-WCBMZHEXSA-N |
| PubChem CID | 7028 |
Frequently asked questions
Answers are generated from the structured data on this page, not written by hand.
What is Pseudoephedrine used for?
DrugCentral lists the following indications for Pseudoephedrine: Allergic conjunctivitis, Allergic rhinitis, Common cold, Eustachian Tube Congestion, Headache disorder, Influenza-like symptoms, Nasal congestion and Nasal discharge and others.
How does Pseudoephedrine work?
Pseudoephedrine is classified as Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; its molecular targets in DrugCentral include ADRB2, ADRA2A, SLC6A2 (releasing agent) and ADRA1A.
When was Pseudoephedrine first approved?
Pseudoephedrine was first approved by the FDA in 1963.
What drug class does Pseudoephedrine belong to?
Pseudoephedrine is in the alpha-Adrenergic Agonist class.
What is the chemical formula of Pseudoephedrine?
Pseudoephedrine has the molecular formula C10H15NO and a molecular weight of 165.24 g/mol.
Browse: all drugs starting with P · drug guides by category · protein targets A–Z.
Sources
- DrugCentral drug card 2326 — structure, indications, targets, approvals, pharmacologic classes (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- ChEMBL CHEMBL1200724 — compound record and bioactivity
- PubChem CID 7028 — chemical identifiers
- DrugBank DB00852 — drug record
- FDA UNII 7CUC9DDI9F — substance identity
- DailyMed: FDA labels for Pseudoephedrine — current prescribing information (label search)
- UniProt P07550 (ADRB2) — target protein
- UniProt P08913 (ADRA2A) — target protein
- UniProt P23975 (SLC6A2) — target protein
- UniProt P35348 (ADRA1A) — target protein
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (openFDA FAERS) — adverse-event signals, as aggregated by DrugCentral
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