Availability of pseudoephedrine

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friedCrumpet

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#59885 14-Apr-2010 10:31

I went to the pharmacy today to purchase some Codral, expecting that I would be sold the "new formula" without pseudoephedrine - but the lady at the counter went out the back and got me a packet of the good stuff, the only question being "do you have high blood pressure".

I was surprised because I was sure that by now they would have passed the law making it prescription only. Does anyone know when this is supposed to come into force? I'm thinking I should go and buy a couple more packs to stock up...

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361 posts

Ultimate Geek

#318235 14-Apr-2010 10:37

I haven't had to buy any yet and already have a spare pack in the cupboard. Last time I got the flu I bought some Phenylephrine based Codral and it did absolutely nothing. Fever went down a bit which I can assume was the paracetamol but nose ran like a tap, congested, horrible.

I really dread the next time I get a bad cold or flu an can't get Pseudoephedrine anymore. I got used to being able to manage the symptoms.

Stupid government and their "We want to look tough on P" attitude.

johnr

19282 posts

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#318239 14-Apr-2010 10:45

were you asked for ID?

sbiddle

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#318243 14-Apr-2010 10:49

I'm lucky - I've used Phenylephrine tablets on two occasions and found them to be effective. I must be the only person in the world the stuff actually works for!

old3eyes

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#318244 14-Apr-2010 10:49

Buttonmash: I haven't had to buy any yet and already have a spare pack in the cupboard. Last time I got the flu I bought some Phenylephrine based Codral and it did absolutely nothing. Fever went down a bit which I can assume was the paracetamol but nose ran like a tap, congested, horrible.

I really dread the next time I get a bad cold or flu an can't get Pseudoephedrine anymore. I got used to being able to manage the symptoms.

Stupid government and their "We want to look tough on P" attitude.

yep. And meanwhile the stuff just keeps flowing across the boarder from one our newest trading partners, China.

I had to get some sinus tablets end of last year. They were the non P type. I may as well have taken sugar pills for what use they were..

Regards,

Old3eyes

NZtechfreak

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#318247 14-Apr-2010 10:53

Some pharmacies still offer the proper pseudoephedrine on prescription. Phenylephrine is hopeless, particularly at the paediatric doses its offered in. Truly sbiddle you are the only person I've ever heard of who finds its effective - lucky you!

I sometimes prescribe pseudoephedrine in small quantities, its the only thing that really helps during colds and flus, and for some sinusitis sufferers its a god send. I really hate how unavailable its become even when prescribed.

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daman88

80 posts

Master Geek

#318257 14-Apr-2010 10:59

I totally agreed with you guys...
The new formula just sux....... don't do much effect compare to the old formula....

sbiddle

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#318258 14-Apr-2010 10:59

NZtechfreak: Some pharmacies still offer the proper pseudoephedrine on prescription. Phenylephrine is hopeless, particularly at the paediatric doses its offered in. Truly sbiddle you are the only person I've ever heard of who finds its effective - lucky you!

I sometimes prescribe pseudoephedrine in small quantities, its the only thing that really helps during colds and flus, and for some sinusitis sufferers its a god send. I really hate how unavailable its become even when prescribed.

It does wonders for hayfever. There used to be some tablets around that were pulled ~6 years ago that were 250mcg of psuedo. They were without a doubt the best immediate cure ever for hayfever and certainly gave you an added energy boost at the same time!

friedCrumpet

268 posts

Ultimate Geek

#318262 14-Apr-2010 11:04

johnr: were you asked for ID?

Nope. Maybe she recognised me, I have had prescriptions filled there before.

My box still says "Controlled Drug C3" on the top. Perhaps it is just old stock?

itxtme

1762 posts

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#318304 14-Apr-2010 11:57

Some pharmacies still offer the proper pseudoephedrine on prescription.

It is still available over the counter when requested. Frankly I do not have a problem with it being a pharmacy only medication, requiring a prescription is overkill. In my view it was a "hard line" that Key took for its effect on voters versus an actual reduction in P production!!

Ragnor

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#318334 14-Apr-2010 12:31

At the risk of being labelled some kind of tree hugging hippy naturalist....

Personally I find taking a super large dose of vitamin d3 (Over 4000+ IU per day for a couple of days) seems to kick the old immune system into overdrive and quickly sort out colds/flu/seasonal virii.

Seems to work for me.

Some background info here:
http://castlegrok.com/got-sick-kick-the-bug/

mentalinc

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#318338 14-Apr-2010 12:41

sbiddle: There used to be some tablets around that were pulled ~6 years ago that were 250mcg of psuedo. They were without a doubt the best immediate cure ever for hayfever and certainly gave you an added energy boost at the same time!

Actifed, How my colds and hayfever miss you so. The expensive sugar pills do nothing but decrease my bank balance.

http://www.onlinepharmacy.co.nz/index.cfm/layout/Brand/BrandID/333/CatID/9

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walt12

324 posts

Ultimate Geek

#318343 14-Apr-2010 13:13

Phenylephrine is hopeless

+1

Better taking a strong dose of paracetamol and knocking yourself out.

NZtechfreak

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#318360 14-Apr-2010 13:49

I don't agree that requiring a prescription is overkill given the advent of P.

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GBristow

178 posts

Master Geek

#318369 14-Apr-2010 14:05

NZtechfreak: I don't agree that requiring a prescription is overkill given the advent of P.

Let's take it a step further. Why not ban ammonia-based cleaners because anhydrous ammonia can be used to produce methamphetamine? While we're at it, I'm sure those crazy P-dealers use cars to drive around and pick up supplies. If we ban cars, or require a proof of the reason for travel on each trip, we'll surely stamp out P once and for all!

The purpose of laws is to balance rights of the populous against measures that protect it. How many batches of P will be prevented vs how many people inconvenienced by the inability to easily access pseudo-ephedrine? I don't think the trade-off is worth it. In fact, I think P should be legalised, taxed and controlled. The supply process will be removed from the hands of gangs, so quality would never be an issue. The enormous tax windfall would be used for education, prevention, rehab, and medical care. Most importantly, someone would be required to get a prescription first, meaning their doctor could monitor their health and progress, and limit their intake. We're applying a band-aid to a large, but easily fixed problem.

MikeyPI

450 posts

Ultimate Geek

#318371 14-Apr-2010 14:10

Ragnor: At the risk of being labelled some kind of tree hugging hippy naturalist....

Personally I find taking a super large dose of vitamin d3 (Over 4000+ IU per day for a couple of days) seems to kick the old immune system into overdrive and quickly sort out colds/flu/seasonal virii.

Seems to work for me.

Some background info here:
http://castlegrok.com/got-sick-kick-the-bug/

+1

Not a fan of treating symptoms. Prevention rather than cure!

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