Sudafed PE Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

If you’re looking for an over-the-counter (OTC) medication to help with a stuffy nose, you may want to add Sudafed PE to your shopping list. Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) is a decongestant that can help relieve nasal congestion. It often comes as an oral tablet or liquid and works by narrowing the blood vessels around your nose and sinuses.

Sudafed PE is available in formulations for both adults and children. It’s also available in combination with other cold medications to help treat a variety of symptoms. With so many versions of this medication available, it’s important to know how to take them. Let’s take a look at recommended Sudafed PE dosages for adults and kids.

What’s the typical Sudafed PE dosage for adults?

Sudafed PE is the brand name of a line of cold medications, and each product has a generic version. All Sudafed PE products contain either 5 mg or 10 mg of phenylephrine. Some also include other medications, like pain relievers.

Phenylephrine is also present in other cough and cold medications. Always read the packaging labels to know how much phenylephrine you’re taking from all sources.

Keep in mind: Sudafed PE and Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) can be easily confused. They may have a similar name, but the active ingredient in each is different. Sudafed also has different instructions for use than Sudafed PE.

Sudafed PE Congestion

Each tablet of Sudafed PE Congestion contains 10 mg of phenylephrine. Adults should take 1 tablet (10 mg) by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 tablets (60 mg) in 24 hours.

Sudafed PE Day Plus Night Sinus Congestion

Sudafed PE Day Plus Night Sinus Congestion comes with both a daytime and a nighttime tablet for nasal congestion. The daytime tablet contains 10 mg of phenylephrine. The nighttime tablet contains 10 mg of phenylephrine and 25 mg of diphenhydramine (an antihistamine).

The adult Sudafed PE Day Plus Night Sinus Congestion dosage is 1 tablet by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours. The dose is the same for both the daytime and nighttime tablets.

Keep in mind that the nighttime tablet may make you drowsy. So you should only take it if you’re not going to be performing activities that require focus, like driving.

Sudafed PE Head Congestion Plus Pain

Each tablet of Sudafed PE Head Congestion Plus Pain contains 10 mg of phenylephrine and 200 mg of ibuprofen (a pain reliever). Adults should take 1 tablet by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 6 tablets in 24 hours.

Sudafed PE Head Congestion Plus Flu Severe

Each tablet of Sudafed PE Head Congestion Plus Flu contains the following:

• 5 mg of phenylephrine

• 325 mg of acetaminophen (a pain reliever)

• 10 mg of dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant)

• 100 mg of guaifenesin (an expectorant that helps thin mucus)

The adult Sudafed PE Head Congestion Plus Flu dosage is 2 tablets by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 10 tablets in 24 hours.

Sudafed PE Head Congestion Plus Mucus

Each tablet of Sudafed PE Head Congestion Plus Mucus contains the following:

• 5 mg of phenylephrine

• 325 mg of acetaminophen

• 200 mg of guaifenesin

The adult Sudafed PE Head Congestion Plus Mucus dosage is 2 tablets by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 10 tablets in 24 hours.

Sudafed PE Pressure Plus Pain

Every tablet of Sudafed PE Pressure Plus Pain contains 5 mg of phenylephrine and 325 mg of acetaminophen. Adults can take 2 tablets by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t take more than 10 tablets in 24 hours.

What’s the typical Sudafed PE dosage for children?

Sudafed PE comes as an oral liquid that can be given to children as young as 4 years old. Be sure to read the instructions carefully, as they vary based on a child’s age. Children ages 12 years and older can follow the adult Sudafed PE dosages provided above.

When giving children liquid medication, only use the dosing spoon, syringe, or cup that’s provided by the manufacturer. This will ensure your child is getting the right dose of medication. If you need a replacement dosing device, your pharmacist can give you one.

Children’s Sudafed PE

Children’s Sudafed PE contains 2.5 mg of phenylephrine in every 5 mL of liquid. The children’s dosages are as follows:

• Children ages 6 to 11 years old: Give 10 mL (5 mg) by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 60 mL (30 mg) in 24 hours.

• Children ages 4 and 5 years old: Give 5 mL (2.5 mg) by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 20 mL (10 mg) in 24 hours.

• Children under 4 years old: Don’t give it to this age group.

Children’s Sudafed PE Cold Plus Cough

Sudafed PE Cold Plus Cough contains 2.5 mg of phenylephrine and 5 mg of dextromethorphan in every 5 mL of liquid. The children’s dosages are as follows:

• Children ages 6 to 11 years old: Give 10 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 60 mL in 24 hours.

• Children ages 4 and 5 years old: Give 5 mL by mouth every 4 hours as needed. Don’t give more than 20 mL in 24 hours.

• Children under 4 years old: Don’t give it to this age group.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

While Sudafed PE is safe for most people to take, there are some instances where you may want to avoid it.

People with high blood pressure

People who have high blood pressure shouldn’t take Sudafed PE. As mentioned above, Sudafed PE relieves congestion by narrowing the blood vessels around your nose and sinuses. However, it can constrict blood vessels in other areas of your body too. And this can raise your heart rate and blood pressure.

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for alternatives to Sudafed PE. They may suggest other medications, or medication-free options for relief, like a Neti pot.

People with heart disease

People with heart disease should also avoid Sudafed PE. Because it can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, it can worsen this health condition. If you have heart disease, always ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any OTC cough and cold medications. They’ll help you select one that’s safe for the heart.

Pregnant women

Sudafed PE may not be a safe choice if you’re pregnant. This is especially true during early pregnancy. Experts typically recommend avoiding it during the first trimester. But even later on in pregnancy, it’s best to ask your healthcare provider whether it would be OK. Some providers may suggest avoiding Sudafed PE throughout the entire pregnancy.

What happens if you miss a dose of Sudafed PE?

Sudafed PE is usually taken only when needed. If you miss a dose, you can just take it when you remember. Be careful not to take doses closer than 4 hours together. And always follow the maximum doses listed on the medication packaging. Taking more than recommended can lead to side effects, such as dizziness and trouble sleeping.

What should you do if you take too much Sudafed PE?

Too much Sudafed PE can cause serious side effects, like:

• High blood pressure

• High heart rate

• Seizures

• Trouble breathing

• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others don’t)

In severe cases, a Sudafed PE overdose can be fatal. If you believe you or someone you know has taken too much Sudafed PE, contact a healthcare provider or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If you’re experiencing anything severe, or it seems life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

How to save on Sudafed PE

There are many ways to save on Sudafed PE, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having your healthcare provider write a prescription for OTC Sudafed PE, GoodRx can help you save over 30% off the average retail price. Generic Sudafed PE's price at certain pharmacies is as low as $5.21 with a free GoodRx discount.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Kristine Foley, PharmD

Kristine Foley is a licensed pharmacist with over 13 years of community pharmacy experience. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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