BUYING OUR PRODUCTS
WHY SOME PRODUCTS ARE AT THE PHARMACY COUNTER
All products from the makers of SUDAFED® contain a nasal decongestant, either pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. Because, pseudoephedrine can be used to illegally manufacture methamphetamines (also known as meth), federal regulations require that it be sold behind the pharmacy or service counter. A prescription is not required to purchase these products.
View more on Pseudoephedrine Regulations
View more about our active ingredients
HOW TO BUY AT THE PHARMACY COUNTER
The procedure may vary state by state, but generally to purchase a product containing the ingredient pseudoephedrine at a store with a pharmacy, you will need to do the following:
- go to the pharmacy or service counter
- show photo identification
- sign a logbook
PRODUCTS FOUND AT THE PHARMACY COUNTER
Only the products below are found at the pharmacy counter. Our other products can be found in the cold and allergy aisle. If you have trouble locating a product, talk to your pharmacist.
USING PSEUDOEPHEDRINE RESPONSIBLY
WHY PSEUDOEPHEDRINE IS REGULATED
Pseudoephedrine, an active ingredient in some cold, allergy, and sinus products, can be chemically processed into methamphetamine (commonly known as meth). The illegal use of meth has increased in recent years, prompting Congress to pass the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2006 (CEMA). The objective of the law is to eliminate the use of pseudoephedrine in the illegal production of meth. By law, products containing pseudoephedrine must now be sold behind the pharmacy counter and through online retailers who must meet certain requirements.
Note that products containing pseudoephedrine remain available without a prescription in most states.
SUDAFED® PRODUCTS CONTAINING PSEUDOEPHEDRINE