Legal Uses

Pseudoephedrine is “a decongestant marketed as an ingredient in hundreds of over-the-counter medications” (Shotwell). It is easily accessed; pharmacies across the nation carry this product in many different forms, brands, and quantities. It is usually prepared in pairs with other drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil Cold & Sinus), hydrochlorides (Sudafed products), and antihistamines (Claritin-D and Zyrtec-D). Its many forms in these over-the-counter drugs help contribute to curing or lessening the effects of many nasal sicknesses. This includes allergy symptoms, colds, coughs, and sinus infections. The legal uses of pseudoephedrine are solely used for helping to cure the common cold and decongest the sinuses. "A five-day course" of taking any product containing this decongestant usually does the trick in curing sicknesses (Lee and Kim). Pseudoephedrine is quick to cure, thus, leading to its popularity among consumers.

Pseudoephedrine’s legal use is very helpful for curing the common cold and sinus infections. However, the expansion of this product's circulation and its increasing availability has also led to its abuse. Drug abusers have now begun using pseudoephedrine to produce the illegal drug methamphetamine (commonly known as meth in our society). It is now being used to manufacture this illegal drug; I will discuss this topic in my next blog entry.

Sources Cited:
Lee, Jaechun, Miok Kim, Jeong Hong Kim, Young Ree Kim, Sohyung Kim, and Yeol Kim. “A Cheaper, Faster Way to Resolve Chronic Cough.” Journal of Family Practice. 56.8 (August 2007): 641-646. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. http://ezp.tccd.edu:2358/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=26344292&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Shotwell, Brad J. “Molecule of the Month.” Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry. 7.14 (July 2007): 1423-1423. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. http://ezp.tccd.edu:2358/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=26382108&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site>.

Photo Credit:
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/04/18_scheckt_target/images/sudafed_large.jpg

Pseudoephrine: why it has sparked my interest.

Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant used in common over-the-counter cold drugs such as Sudafed products, Advil Cold & Sinus, and Claratin-D. However, pseudoephedrine has easily transitioned into the illegal drug circuit. Many drug users use pseudoephedrine to manufacture methamphetamine (meth). It is commonly sold in pharmacies and is easily accessed; these conveniences are probably reasons it is becoming popular among drug producers.
I chose to research pseudoephedrine because it has caught my curiosity while working as a clerk at a small-chain pharmacy. I have witnessed many potential drug abusers coming into the pharmacy to buy pseudoephedrine products, especially Sudafed-24 hour. Sudafed-24 hour is the strongest dose of pseudoephedrine sold over the counter. The state has required all pharmacies to keep a log of all pseudoephedrine sales in order to keep track of purchases by suspected drug abusers.
My research will explore the laws taken to reduce the abuse problem, my observations in the pharmacy, interviews from the pharmacy manager, and the effects and use of the abused product. Because I want to be a Pharmacist, I hope my research from this research blog will assist my future studies. I want to learn more about state-required procedures for pharmacies, pseudoephedrine uses and abuses, and how illegal drug producers use pseudoephedrine to manufacture methamphetamine. I believe this project will help me as I go into my major of pre-Pharmacy next fall.