Pseudoephedrine is an alpha and beta adrenergic agonist used to treat nasal and sinus congestion, as well as allergic rhinitis. Pseudoephedrine is structurally related to ephedrine but exerts a weaker effect on the sympathetic nervous system.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 16 references
Pseudoephedrine acts mainly as an agonist of alpha adrenergic receptors and less strongly as an agonist of beta adrenergic receptors. This agonism of adrenergic receptors produces vasoconstriction which is used as a decongestant and as a treatment of priapism. Pseudoephedrine is also an inhibitor of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin transporters.
The sympathomimetic effects of pseudoephedrine include an increase in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and chronotropic response of the right atria. Pseudoephedrine is also a partial agonist of the anococcygeal muscle. Pseudoephedrine also inhibits NF-kappa-B, NFAT, and AP-1.
- Primary indication
- Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine used for its decongestant activity.Curator reviewed · 69 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C10H15NO · 165.2322 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1996 · United States, 1985 · European Union, 2021
- Also known as
- d-Isoephedrine · d-Pseudoephedrine · Isoephedrine · Pseudoephedrine polistirex
- Brand names
Resolves to
KWGRBVOPPLSCSI-WCBMZHEXSA-NSMILESCN[C@@H](C)[C@@H](O)C1=CC=CC=C1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Pseudoephedrine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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