iMedix Medical Content Engine 3.13.37
Home/Drugs/Sudogest Cold & Allergy

Sudogest Cold & Allergy: Uses, Dosage & Safety Information

Sudogest Cold & Allergy

Sudogest Cold & Allergy

Sudogest Cold & Allergy

Chlorpheniramine maleate + Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
SudoGest Cold & Allergy is a Major Pharmaceuticals tablet combining chlorpheniramine, a sedating antihistamine, with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, for cold and allergy symptoms. It can cause drowsiness, must not be used with MAO inhibitors, and is sold from behind the pharmacy counter.
  • ActiveIngredient: Chlorpheniramine maleate + Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
  • DosageForm: Oral tablet
  • Dosage: One tablet every 4-6 hours
  • Indications: Nasal congestion with allergy symptoms from hay fever, upper respiratory allergies or the common cold.
  • Manufacturer: Major Pharmaceuticals and other manufacturers
  • Storage: Store at 20-25 C (68-77 F). Protect from light and moisture.
  • Drug Status: Behind the Counter
Drug Status: Behind the Counter
Description

What is Sudogest Cold & Allergy?

Two ingredients, two sets of warnings
Each tablet combines chlorpheniramine, a sedating antihistamine, with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant; the Drug Facts therefore carry both the drowsiness warnings of one and the heart and blood pressure cautions of the other.1

SudoGest Cold & Allergy is a store-brand tablet from Major Pharmaceuticals containing chlorpheniramine maleate and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, taken every 4 to 6 hours.4

Because it contains pseudoephedrine it is sold from behind the pharmacy counter under federal law, and its pseudoephedrine counts towards the same sales limits as any single-ingredient decongestant.2

Taking another cold or allergy product at the same time can double one of the two ingredients without it being obvious from the brand names.

General Instructions

How to Take Sudogest Cold & Allergy

How much

Adults and children 12 and over take 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours, and no more than 4 tablets in 24 hours; it is not for children under 12.1

Check every other product

Read the active ingredients of any other cold, allergy or sleep product before taking it, so that you do not take a second antihistamine or decongestant.1

Drowsiness

Avoid alcohol, and take care when driving or operating machinery; sedatives and tranquilizers add to drowsiness.1

At the pharmacy counter

Bring photo identification; the sale is logged under federal rules.

Storage

Store at 25°C (77°F) in a dry place, protected from light; do not use the tablets if the outer package is opened or a blister is torn.1

What not to do

Do not use it with a prescription MAO inhibitor or within 2 weeks of stopping one, and do not exceed the dose.1

Side Effects

What Are the Side Effects of Sudogest Cold & Allergy?

The Drug Facts describe drowsiness, excitability in children and the effects that mean stopping.1

Reactions in the Labelling
FrequencyEffectNotes
Frequency not stated in labellingDrowsinessWorse with alcohol or sedatives
Frequency not stated in labellingExcitabilityEspecially in children
Frequency not stated in labellingNervousness, dizziness, sleeplessnessStop and ask a doctor

Source: 1

Seek immediate medical attention if:
  • Chest pain or a racing heartbeat
  • Confusion or extreme drowsiness
  • Difficulty passing urine
Uses

What is Sudogest Cold & Allergy Used For?

Labelled Indications
IndicationNotes
Hay fever and other upper respiratory allergiesRunny nose, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, nasal congestion
Common coldRunny nose, sneezing, sinus congestion

Source: 1

It relieves symptoms only and does not treat the cold or allergy itself.1

Safety advice

Interactions Alcohol:

Unsafe
Alcohol compounds the sedation from the chlorpheniramine component substantially, and both it and pseudoephedrine disturb sleep. Avoid alcohol while taking it.

Interactions Other Medications:

Consult your doctor
MAO inhibitors are an absolute contraindication, including for 14 days after stopping. Beta-blockers, other antihypertensives, and any second decongestant or antihistamine require assessment. See Interactions.

Special Groups Pregnancy:

Consult your doctor
The decongestant component is generally avoided in the first trimester and requires advice at any stage, particularly with raised blood pressure.

Special Groups Breastfeeding:

Use with caution
Both components pass into breast milk, both can cause drowsiness or irritability in the infant, and pseudoephedrine can reduce milk supply. Discuss with a clinician.

Special Groups Elderly:

Unsafe
Both components are problematic over 65. Chlorpheniramine appears on consensus lists of medicines to avoid in this group, and pseudoephedrine raises blood pressure and can cause urinary retention. The combination compounds both.

Special Groups Children:

Consult your doctor
Not for children under 6. Between 6 and 11 use only on advice, at a reduced dose. Paradoxical excitation rather than sedation is common in children.

Effects on Activities Driving:

Unsafe
Drowsiness from the antihistamine builds over repeated doses while the decongestant adds dizziness and nervousness. Do not drive while taking this combination.

Effects on Activities Operating Machinery:

Unsafe
The same applies as for driving. Avoid machinery and any task requiring sustained alertness.
Regulatory status and dispensing

SudoGest Cold & Allergy is sold without a prescription but from behind the pharmacy counter because it contains pseudoephedrine.2

Warnings

Critical Warnings for Sudogest Cold & Allergy Use

MAO inhibitors

Contraindicated: Use with a prescription MAO inhibitor or within 2 weeks after stopping it.1

Children under 12

Contraindicated: Use in children under 12 years of age.1

Ask a doctor first

Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, glaucoma, prostate-related urinary trouble or breathing problems such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.1

Stop use

Stop and ask a doctor if nervousness, dizziness or sleeplessness occur, or symptoms last beyond 7 days or come with fever.1

See Interactions.

Dosage

Dosage

Sudogest Cold & Allergy Products
FormulationActive IngredientsClinical Note
Tablets: chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg / pseudoephedrine HCl 60 mgChlorpheniramine; pseudoephedrineEvery 4 to 6 hours
Kidney diseaseChlorpheniramine; pseudoephedrineNot addressed in the Drug Facts; ask a doctor
Liver diseaseChlorpheniramine; pseudoephedrineNot addressed in the Drug Facts; ask a doctor
Children under 12Chlorpheniramine; pseudoephedrineDo not use

Source: 14

Exceeding the dose
Taking more than directed can cause marked drowsiness or agitation and a fast heartbeat; contact Poison Control or emergency services.1
Interactions

What Does Sudogest Cold & Allergy Interact With?

Each ingredient brings its own interaction: sedatives add to the antihistamine, MAO inhibitors to the decongestant.

Interactions by Severity
Interacting SubstanceEffect and RiskSeverityDocumentation
Prescription MAO inhibitorsDangerous rise in blood pressureContraindicatedExcellent — labelled Do Not Use
Sedatives, tranquilizers, alcoholMore drowsinessModerateGood — labelled warning

Source: 1

FAQs
Chlorpheniramine, a sedating antihistamine, and pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, in each tablet.
It can; avoid alcohol and take care when driving.
It contains pseudoephedrine, which federal law places behind the counter with ID and sales limits.
Check the active ingredients first; many products contain an antihistamine or decongestant, and doubling up is easy.
People with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, glaucoma, prostate problems or chronic lung disease.
Evidence and Reported Data

Evidence Scope

Established: the combination carries the warnings of both ingredients. Unknown: side-effect frequencies, which the Drug Facts do not give.1

FDA adverse event reports

Reports involving this combination are recorded in FAERS; a count of reports is not a rate.3

Who was this medicine studied in?

This store-brand combination is marketed under the over-the-counter monograph and has no Drug Trials Snapshot.5

Where to report and verify

Routing to Official Registries
What you needWhere to go
Report a side effectFDA MedWatch
Pregnancy-specific dataMotherToBaby
Full prescribing informationDailyMed
Verify a pharmacy websiteFDA BeSafeRx · LegitScript
References

References

  1. FDA OTC Drug Facts, SudoGest Cold & Allergy (chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg / pseudoephedrine HCl 60 mg) (Major Pharmaceuticals) — Uses, Warnings, Directions, Other information
    Label on DailyMed · Accessed 2026-09-28
    Used for: uses, warnings, dosing, storage.
    dailymed.nlm.nih.gov — DailyMed
  2. Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 — US Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Division
    Accessed 2026-09-28
    Used for: behind-the-counter sale, photo ID and logbook, daily and 30-day sales limits.
    deadiversion.usdoj.gov
  3. openFDA — FDA Adverse Event Reporting System, drug event query for chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine
    Data cut 2026-07-30 · Accessed 2026-09-28
    Used for: report totals, serious counts and most reported terms.
    open.fda.gov — openFDA
  4. FDA National Drug Code Directory — SudoGest listings
    Directory current · Accessed 2026-09-28
    Used for: current US marketing.
    accessdata.fda.gov — NDC Directory
  5. FDA — Drug Trials Snapshots programme scope
    Programme current · Accessed 2026-09-28
    Used for: confirmation that Snapshots cover novel drugs approved from 2015.
    fda.gov — Drug Trials Snapshots

FDA adverse event aggregates are not shown for this fixed combination, because reports cannot be attributed to a combination product without misleading attribution.

Review cycle. Clinical review completed 28 September 2026. Next review due by 28 September 2027, or earlier if the labelling is revised.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not self-medicate based on the information presented on this site. Always consult with a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions about your health.