What is Novafed?
Novafed (Novafed) is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
Novafed is used to treat nasal and sinus congestion, or congestion of the tubes that drain fluid from your inner ears, called the eustachian (yoo-STAY-shun) tubes.
Novafed may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Novafed indications
Temporary relief of symptoms of upper respiratory tract disorders such as sinusitis, vasomotor rhinitis, and hay fever; temporary relief of coughs associated with respiratory tract infections and related conditions such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and asthma when tenacious mucus and/or mucus plugs and congestion complicate these conditions.
How should I use Novafed?
Use Novafed sustained-release tablets (24 hour) as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Novafed sustained-release tablets (24 hour) with food, water, or milk to minimize stomach irritation.
- Swallow Novafed sustained-release tablets (24 hour) whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Do not take more than 1 tablet in 24 hours.
- If you miss a dose of Novafed sustained-release tablets (24 hour) and are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Novafed sustained-release tablets (24 hour).
Uses of Novafed in details
Novafed is used for the temporary relief of stuffy nose and sinus pain/pressure caused by infection (such as the common cold, flu) or other breathing illnesses (such as hay fever, allergies, bronchitis). Novafed is a decongestant (sympathomimetic). It works by narrowing the blood vessels to decrease swelling and congestion.
If you are self-treating with this medication, it is important to read the manufacturer's package instructions carefully so you know when to consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Cough-and-cold products have not been shown to be safe or effective in children younger than 6 years. Long-acting tablets/capsules are not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years. Do not use this Novafed product in children younger than 12 years unless specifically directed by the doctor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details about using your product safely.
These products do not cure or shorten the length of the common cold and may cause serious side effects. To decrease the risk for serious side effects, carefully follow all dosage directions. Do not use this product to make a child sleepy. Do not give other cough-and-cold medication that might contain the same or similar ingredients. Ask the doctor or pharmacist about other ways to relieve cough and cold symptoms (such as drinking enough fluids, using a humidifier or saline nose drops/spray).
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
Your doctor may direct you to use Novafed to decrease pain and swelling in the ear or to help "open up" the ear canal when there is a change in air pressure (such as during air travel, underwater diving). Follow your doctor's directions carefully.
How to use Novafed
If you are taking the over-the-counter product to self-treat, read all directions on the product package before taking this medication. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, take it as directed.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 12 or 24 hours, depending on the product or as directed by your doctor or the product package. Do not take more than 240 milligrams in a day. Dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed. Do not take more of this medication than recommended for your age.
If you are using the suspension (liquid), shake the bottle well before each dose. Use a medication-measuring device or spoon to carefully measure the dose. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
Take the capsules or tablets with a glass of water. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules or tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.
There are many brands and forms of Novafed available. Read the dosing instructions carefully for each product because the amount of Novafed may be different between products. Do not take more Novafed than recommended.
Caffeine can increase the side effects of this medication. Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas), eating large amounts of chocolate, or taking nonprescription products that contain caffeine.
If your symptoms do not improve after 7 days, if they worsen or return, if you develop fever, rash, or a persistent headache, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
Novafed description
Novafed has been withdrawn in Canada. In November 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory against the use of the drug.
Novafed dosage
Novafed Dosage
Generic name: Novafed hydrochloride 15mg in 5mL
Dosage form: oral liquid
The information at Drugs.com is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- Take at every 6 hours, if needed
- Do not exceed 4 doses in 24 hours.
| Adults and children 12 years of age and over | 4 teaspoonfuls |
| Children 6 to under 12 years of age | 2 teaspoonfuls |
| Children under 6 years of age | DO NOT USE |
store at room temperature
More about Silfedrine (Novafed)
- Side Effects
- During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
- Dosage Information
- Drug Interactions
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Consumer resources
- Silfedrine
- Other brands: Sudafed Congestion, SudoGest, Sudafed 12-Hour, Novafed, More (15) »
Professional resources
- Novafed (FDA)
- Novafed (AHFS Monograph)
Related treatment guides
- Nasal Congestion
Novafed interactions
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What other drugs will affect Novafed?
The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.
To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: stimulants (such as caffeine, dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine, herbal products like ephedra/ma huang), terbutaline.
Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.
Novafed may decrease the effectiveness of blood pressure medications (such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, reserpine, guanethidine, methyldopa).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain similar ingredients (decongestants such as phenylephrine). Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.
Novafed side effects
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Novafed?
Applies to Novafed: oral capsule, oral capsule extended release, oral capsule liquid filled, oral liquid, oral solution, oral suspension, oral syrup, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable, oral tablet extended release
As well as its needed effects, Novafed (the active ingredient contained in Novafed) may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.
Severity: Moderate
If any of the following side effects occur while taking Novafed, check with your doctor or nurse as soon as possible:
Rare - more common with high doses
- Convulsions (seizures)
- hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
- irregular or slow heartbeat
- shortness of breath or troubled breathing
- Convulsions (seizures)
- fast breathing
- hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
- increase in blood pressure
- irregular heartbeat (continuing)
- shortness of breath or troubled breathing (severe or continuing)
- slow or fast heartbeat (severe or continuing)
- unusual nervousness, restlessness, or excitement
Minor Side Effects
Some Novafed side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:
More common:
- Nervousness
- restlessness
- trouble in sleeping
- Difficult or painful urination
- dizziness or light-headedness
- fast or pounding heartbeat
- headache
- increased sweating
- nausea or vomiting
- trembling
- unusual paleness
- weakness
Novafed contraindications
See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Novafed?
this medicine is contraindicated in individuals who have previously exhibited intolerance to it or to Novafed or triprolidine.
this medicine is contraindicated in patients who are taking or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors within the preceding two weeks. The concomitant use of Novafed and this type of product may occasionally cause a rise in blood pressure.
this medicine is contraindicated in patients with severe hypertension or severe coronary artery disease.
The antibacterial agent furazolidone, is known to cause a dose-related inhibition of monoamine oxidase. Although there are no reports of hypertensive crises caused by the concurrent administration of Multi-Action ACTIFED Tablets and furazolidone they should not be taken together.
Active ingredient matches for Novafed:
| Unit description / dosage (Manufacturer) | Price, USD |
| Capsule, Extended Release; Oral; Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 120 mg | |
List of Novafed substitutes (brand and generic names): | |
| Non-Drowsy Sudafed Decongestant Tablets | |
| Tablet, Film-Coated; Oral; Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 60 mg | |
| Novazil (Taiwan) | |
| Novazil 60 mg | |
| Novazil 60 mg x Blister pk | |
| Nyal Plus + Decongestant | |
| Ofcold Tablet | |
| Ofcold Tablet (Sanjeevani Bio-Tech (P) Ltd) | $ 0.03 |
| Oradin Plus (Bangladesh) | |
| Ornex Cold | |
| Orthoxicol Infant | |
| Otrinol (Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Yemen) | |
| Capsule; Oral; Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 120 mg | |
| Otrivin Capsules | |
| Capsule; Oral; Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride | |
| Otrivin Nasa-Tab (Belgium) | |
| Palagrip (Peru) | |
| Pedia Care | |
| Pediacare Decongestant Infants | |
| PediaCare Infant Drops | |
| PediaCare Infant's Decongestant | |
| Pharmacy Action Sinus and Nasal Decongestant Relief (Australia) | |
| Phenylfenesin | |
| Pisulin (Taiwan) | |
| Pisulin 60 mg | |
| Plus Sinus | |
| Tablet, Extended Release; Oral; Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 120 mg | |
| Plus Sinus tablet / extended-release 120 mg (Pfizer Canada Inc., Consumer Healthcare Division (Canada)) | |
| PMS-Pseudoephedrine | |
| Syrup; Oral; Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 6 mg / ml | |
| Tablet; Oral; Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 60 mg | |
| Pseubyrin (Taiwan) | |
| Pseudafed (South Korea) | |
| Pseudo | |
| Pseudo 60's | |
| Pseudo-12 | |
| Suspension, Extended Release; Oral; Pseudoephedrine Polistirex 60 mg / 5 ml | |
| Pseudo-Gest | |
| Pseudoefedrina Farmalider (Spain) | |
| Pseudoefedrina HCl Pharma Arte (Paraguay) | |
| Pseudoefedrina [Inn-Spanish] | |
| Pseudoephedrine (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia (Hrvatska), Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey) | |
| Tablet; Oral; Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 60 mg | |
| Tablet, Extended Release; Oral; Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride 120 mg | |
| Sudafed 24 hour tablet | $ 0.84 |
| Pseudoephedrine hcl crystal | $ 0.67 |
| Afrin 0.05% nose spray | $ 0.62 |
| Sudafed 12 hr sinus-pain caplet | $ 0.53 |
| Drixoral cold & allergy tablet sa | $ 0.40 |
| Sudafed om sinus nasal spray | $ 0.40 |
| Afrin no drip sinus pump mist | $ 0.38 |
| Sudafed pe cold & cough caplet | $ 0.34 |
See 549 substitutes for Novafed | |
References
- DailyMed. "PSEUDOEPHEDRINE SULFATE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- PubChem. "PSEUDOEPHEDRINE". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- DrugBank. "PSEUDOEPHEDRINE". http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00852 (accessed September 17, 2018).
Reviews
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Novafed are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Novafed. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.User reports
Consumer reported useful
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reported price estimates
No survey data has been collected yetConsumer reported time for results
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Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology
