pseudoephedrine

noun

pseu·​do·​ephed·​rine ˌsü-dō-i-ˈfed-rən 

 British also  -ˈe-fə-drən

: an isomer of ephedrine used in the form of its hydrochloride or sulfate especially to relieve nasal congestion

Examples of pseudoephedrine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stuffy nose Decongestants like Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and Afrin (oxymetazoline) narrow blood vessels in the nasal passages. —Colleen Murphy, Health, 5 Apr. 2024

For safety reasons, such products are invariably kept behind-the-counter because of the possibility of pseudoephedrine being used as a starter chemical for methamphetamine production. —Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

The key differences between phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine lie in their efficacy, side effects, and potential for abuse. —Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 23 Sep. 2023

As pseudoephedrine use dropped, phenylephrine's rose. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 15 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pseudoephedrine

noun

pseu·​do·​ephed·​rine

-i-ˈfed-rən, British also -ˈef-ə-drən

: a crystalline alkaloid C₁₀H₁₅NO that is isomeric with ephedrine and is administered chiefly in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₀H₁₅NO·HCl or sulfate (C₁₀H₁₅NO)₂·H₂SO₄ especially to relieve nasal congestion