Long-term effects of daily OTC ephedrine/guaifenisen?

Question

The dose is 12.5 mg/200 mg. I take it during allergy season as it seems to prevent the onset of asthma symptoms. On the worst days, I take 2 pills 2x day. I utterly don't need it for about 8 months a year.

Should I be concerned enough about long-term effects to switch to a preventative such as Flovent?

Answer 1

I have been taking a prescription strength guaifenisen for 5 months now and I too do it for allergy reasons. I have seen no ill affects so far.

Answer 2

are you sure you are taking ephedrine? That is an injectable drug used to counter the effects of anesthesia and is not available OTC....maybe you are taking pseudoephedrine which is an OTC nasal decongestant. That is different! Neither should be taken more than 7 days at a time. Both can have some pretty nasty side effects. If you are taking the combo as Entex Pse, keep a close eye on your blood pressure and of course do not take if you are on MAO inhibitors.

Answer 3

NO-don't use any of this poison. Read the warning labels and multiply by 100. That's how bad your body will be after a year or so of taking that poison. You will damage your kidneys beyond repair if you use antihistamines or decongestants over a long period of time. Take a teaspoon of LOCAL honey each day and after a month or so you won't have any air born allergies. Your body will work with the local honey-naturally-to develop immunities to anything floating in the air. This is the only preventative you need. Be careful what you put into your body-most meds have really bad side effects over long term. Did you know that the leading cause of death in the elderly is kidney failure due to too much medication over a lifetime?

Answer 4

just make sure you aren't doing anything strenuous or being in the heat for long periods of time...but if you have an undiagnosed heart condition it could be a problem...