# Sudafed=Non-drowsy?  Not me.

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudafed-non-drowsy-not-me/205911
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [October 6, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudafed-non-drowsy-not-me/205911 "2003-10-06T19:32:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Matchka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Matchka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Matchka)
#### Post date: [October 6, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sudafed-non-drowsy-not-me/205911/1 "2003-10-06T19:32:36Z")

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Any “non-drowsy” cold/allergy relief drugz you see on the market almost always list pseudophedrine as an active ingredient. The claim is (as I interpret it) that Sudafed doesn’t turn out the lights for you like, say, codeine.

But EVERY time I take drugz that have Sudafed in them I need to remember not to make any plans because, while my symptoms are gloriously relieved as promised, my eyes get the sleepy burn as if I’d been awake for 20+ hours, I can’t concentrate on anything other than my nap-attack and I am all around rummy until it wears off.

This will happen regardless of the amount of rest I have been getting, so I don’t think I’m tired just because I’m finally not toting around the sleep-depriving cold/allergy gorilla and CAN sleep.

What gives? Any studies indicating Sudafed is MOSTLY non-drowsy? Can I get rich if I can prove it put me to sleep whilst driving home?