What kind of company is Sudafed?

Introduction

Sudafed is a brand of over-the-counter nasal decongestant medicine that contains pseudoephedrine, a sympathomimetic drug that is commonly used to relieve blocked sinuses caused by colds, flu, and allergies. Sudafed has been available in the United States since the 1960s and is one of the most popular decongestants on the market.

History

Sudafed was developed by the pharmaceutical company, Burroughs Wellcome (now known as GlaxoSmithKline), in the 1950s. It was originally developed for the treatment of hypertension and marketed under the brand name "Congestil." However, it was soon discovered that the drug had a potent decongestant effect, and in 1961, it was repurposed for the treatment of nasal congestion and marketed under the name Sudafed.

Product line

Sudafed has a wide range of products that cater to different consumer needs. These products include Sudafed Congestion, Sudafed PE Congestion, Sudafed 12 Hour, Sudafed 24 Hour, and Sudafed Children's. Sudafed also has a product that combines the decongestant pseudoephedrine with antihistamine, cetirizine, called Sudafed Congestion and Allergy.

Regulatory issues

Due to the potential for pseudoephedrine to be used in the production of the illegal drug methamphetamine, Sudafed and other pseudoephedrine-containing medications are regulated in the United States. The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 made it a requirement that all medications containing pseudoephedrine be sold from behind the pharmacy counter and that all sales be recorded and reported to a central database.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sudafed is a well-known brand of nasal decongestant medicine that has been available in the United States since the 1960s. It has a range of products that cater to different needs and is regulated due to the potential for its active ingredient, pseudoephedrine, to be used in the production of illegal drugs. Despite these regulatory issues, Sudafed remains a popular choice for those looking for relief from nasal congestion symptoms.