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130 Avoca Street Randwick NSW 2031
Tel: 02 9399 3335 - Fax: 02 9399 9778

Web: avocastreet.info
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Pseudoephedrine - Misuse of decongestants

What are decongestants?
These medicines help reduce the swelling in your nasal passages and ease the stuffiness and sinus pressure. They come as nasal sprays, like naphazoline (Privine), or phenylephrine (Sinex). They also come as pills, such as phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).

Don’t use a decongestant you take by mouth for more than a week without checking with your doctor. You shouldn’t use a decongestant nasal spray for more than 3 days, or it could make your congestion worse. Never give decongestants or any over-the-counter cold medicine to children under age 4.

Rebound congestion
Decongestant nasal sprays can help reduce nasal congestion when you have a cold. But after a few days, the lining of your nose may become less responsive to the medication. You may need more and more nasal spray to control congestion. If you stop using the medication, your congestion may get worse. This is known as rebound congestion. What's the fix? If you have rebound congestion, stop using the spray and wait. Call your doctor if you need help. To prevent rebound congestion, use decongestant spray for no more than a few days in a row.

Pseudoephedrine - what the fuss?
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant which acts vascular smooth muscle in the respiratory tract. It is used for the relief of congestion associated with conditions such as acute and chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, otitis media and the common cold.

For some time now, pseudoephedrine has been targeted for non-therapeutic purposes. All forms (single ingredient and compound solid dose forms, liquid preparations and raw powder) are being used in the manufacture of amphetamines in clandestine laboratories for the illicit drug market. Recent reports confirm that most of the methamphetamine now available on Australia's illicit drug market is produced from pseudoephedrine-containing medicines diverted from community pharmacy.

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Yellow Fever Vaccination

Yellow fever is a viral disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Yellow fever can lead to serious illness and even death. It is called ‘yellow fever’ because in serious cases, the skin turns yellow in colour (jaundice’). Yellow fever is a Listed Human Disease under Australia’s Biosecurity (Listed Human Diseases) Determination 2016.

The Australian Government has adopted the World Health Organization amendment to the International Health Regulations (2005) regarding the period of protection afforded by yellow fever vaccination, and the term of validity of the certificate. The period of protection and term of validity has changed from 10 years to the duration of the life of the person vaccinated. This is based on data demonstrating for the majority of recipients.

a single dose of yellow fever vaccine results in life-long immunity.


From 16 June 2016, international yellow fever vaccination certificates presented at Australia’s border will be accepted even if the vaccination was given more than ten years ago. Individuals who cannot provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate at the border will still be required to go through border control processes when entering Australia. As is current practice, entry to Australia will not be refused on the basis of non-compliance with yellow fever monitoring and control requirements.

Vaccination is still strongly recommended for travellers who have never been vaccinated for yellow fever and who intend to travel to countries where there is a risk of transmission. Border biosecurity processes will remain in place for unvaccinated travellers.



Yellow Fever vaccine Stamaril® is available at ASMC for $140 per dose. Please remember to ask our doctor to stamp your travel vaccine record booklet with the official Australian Government Accredited Yellow Fever Vaccination Center stamp. (see sample below)






Click here for further information from health.gov.au

The information in the above were collected from the internet,
either from government websites or from reasonably reliable health information sources.
They are for general information only and should not replace the need of seeking medical care during illnesses.

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