Talk:Pseudoephedrine

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Summary sheet: Pseudoephedrine

Pseudoephedrine
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Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	Pseudoephedrine, Sudafed
Substitutive name	(1S,2S)-2-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropan-1-ol
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Stimulant
Chemical class	Amphetamine
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Oral Dosage Threshold 30 mg Light 30 - 60 mg Common 60 - 120 mg Strong 120 - 180 mg Heavy 180 mg + Duration Total 2 - 5 hours Onset 20 - 90 minutes After effects 2 - 4 hours DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.

Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes. It may be used as a nasal/sinus decongestant, as a stimulant, or as a wakefulness-promoting agent in higher doses.

Pseudoephedrine is closely related in structure to methamphetamine, although its CNS actions are much less potent and also longer-acting than those of the amphetamines. Its peripheral stimulant actions are similar to but less powerful than those of epinephrine (adrenaline), a hormone produced in the body by the adrenal glands.

History and culture

Pseudoephedrine naturally occurs in the plant Ephedra, which contains both Talk:Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is used over-the-counter as a nasal decongestant, which is usually combined with other medications such as NSAID's, acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin and various antihistamines. Pseudoephedrine is used as a precursor to methamphetamine, and is commonly reffered to as "pseudo". Because of this, Pseudoephedrine is heavily regulated in most parts of the world, either being stored behind the counter, or completely banned.

Chemistry

Pseudoephedrine is a substituted amphetamine and a structural methamphetamine analogue. Pseudoephedrine is a diastereomer of ephedrine and is readily reduced into methamphetamine or oxidized into methcathinone.

Pharmacology

Pseudoephedrine primary mechanism of action is through increasing catecholamine activity at alpha, beta-1, and beta-2 adrenergic receptors.

Subjective effects

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), a literature based on anecdotal reports and the personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be treated with a healthy amount of skepticism. It is worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a consistent or reliable manner, although higher doses are more likely to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become much more likely with higher doses and may include serious injury or death.

Experience reports

There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index. Additional experience reports can be found here:

• Erowid Experience Vaults: Pseudoephedrine

Toxicity and harm potential

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

Lethal dosage

Tolerance and addiction potential

As with other stimulants, the chronic use of pseudoephedrine can be considered moderately addictive and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users.

Tolerance to the effects of pseudoephedrine are quickly built after repeated and frequent usage. Pseudoephedrine presents cross-tolerance with other dopaminergic stimulants, meaning that after the consumption of pseudoephedrine, most other stimulant compounds will have a reduced effect.

Dangerous interactions

• Alcohol - Drinking on stimulants is risky because the sedative effects of the alcohol are reduced, and these are what the body uses to gauge drunkenness. This typically leads to excessive drinking with greatly reduced inhibitions, high risk of liver damage and increased dehydration. They will also allow you to drink past a point where you might normally pass out, increasing the risk. If you do decide to do this then you should set a limit of how much you will drink each hour and stick to it, bearing in mind that you will feel the alcohol and the stimulant less. Extended release formulations may severely impede sleep, further worsening the hangover.
• GHB/GBL - Stimulants increase respiration rate allowing a higher dose of sedatives. If the stimulant wears off first then the depressant effects of the GHB/GBL may overcome the user and cause respiratory arrest.
• Opioids - Stimulants increase respiration rate allowing a higher dose of opiates. If the stimulant wears off first then the opiate may overcome the patient and cause respiratory arrest.
• Cocaine - This combination of stimulants will increase strain on the heart. It is not favored as cocaine has a mild blocking effect on dopamine releasers like amphetamine.
• Caffeine - This combination of stimulants is generally considered unnecessary and may increase strain on the heart, as well as potentially causing anxiety and physical discomfort.
• Tramadol - Tramadol and stimulants both increase the risk of seizures.
• DXM - Both substances raise heart rate, in extreme cases, panic attacks caused by these substances have led to more serious heart issues.
• Ketamine - No unexpected interactions. Likely to increase blood pressure but not an issue with sensible doses. Moving around on high doses of this combination may be ill advised due to risk of physical injury.
• PCP - Increases risk of tachycardia, hypertension, and manic states.
• Methoxetamine - Increases risk of tachycardia, hypertension, and manic states.
• Psychedelics - Increases risk of anxiety, paranoia, and thought loops.
  • 25x-NBOMe - Amphetamines and NBOMes both provide considerable stimulation that when combined they can result in tachycardia, hypertension, vasoconstriction and, in extreme cases, heart failure. The anxiogenic and focusing effects of stimulants are also not good in combination with psychedelics as they can lead to unpleasant thought loops. NBOMes are known to cause seizures and stimulants can increase this risk.
  • 2C-x
    • 2C-T-x
  • 5-MeO-xxT
  • aMT
  • Cannabis - Stimulants increase anxiety levels and the risk of thought loops and paranoia which can lead to negative experiences.
  • DMT
  • DOx
  • LSD
  • Mescaline
  • Psilocybin mushrooms
• MAOIs - MAO-B inhibitors can increase the potency and duration of phenethylamines unpredictably. MAO-A inhibitors with pseudoephedrine can lead to hypertensive crises.

Legal status

• United states - Pseudophedrine is federally regulated due to production of methamphetamine using pseudoephedrine, and legality can vary from state to state.
• Mexico - Pseudoephedrine was made illicit due to the popularity of use as a precursor in the synthesis of methamphetamine.

See also

• Responsible use

External links

• Pseudoephedrine (Wikipedia)
• Pseudophedrine (Erowid Vault)

Literature

• APA formatted reference

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References

Discussion