(1S,2S)-(+)-Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride

Chemical properties

white powder

The Uses of (1S,2S)-(+)-Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride

Non-selective adrenergic agonist; decongestant (nasal). Controlled precursor.

Definition

ChEBI: A hydrochloride that is the monohydrochloride salt of pseudoephedrine.

brand name

Efidac (ALZA); Novafed (Sanofi Aventis); Sudafed (GlaxoSmithKline); Sudafed (Warner Lambert).

Contact allergens

This sympathomimetic a-adrenergic agonist is found in plants of the genus Ephedra (Ephedraceae) and is systemically used as a nasal decongestant. It can induce drug skin reactions such as acute generalized exanthematic pustulosis or generalized eczema.

Clinical Use

Nasal decongestant

Drug interactions

Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Adrenergic neurone blockers: antagonise hypotensive effect of adrenergic neurone blockers.
Anaesthetics: increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias with isoflurane.
Antibacterials: risk of hypertensive crisis with linezolid.
Antidepressants: risk of hypertensive crisis with MAOIs and moclobemide.
Dopaminergics: avoid concomitant use with selegiline and rasagiline.

Metabolism

A small amount of pseudoephedrine is hepatically metabolised by N-demethylation.
It is excreted largely unchanged in the urine with small amounts of its hepatic metabolite.

Purification Methods

1S,2S-Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride [345-78-8] M 210.7, m 181-182o, 185-188o, [ + 6 1o (c 1 H2O). Crystallise the salt from EtOH. [Beilstein 13 IV 1878.]