The Future of Pseudoephedrine The debate over pseudoephedrine is a hot topic for both citizens and lawmakers alike. Everytime one’s child acquires a cold should the parent be forced to pay for a doctor’s visit just to obtain a prescription for his or her child? Is there a better way to slow the production of methamphetamine in the United States besides requiring prescriptions for sudafed? The questions go on and on as lawmakers question the effectiveness of new laws to control the distribution of sudafed and ultimately the production of meth. Pseudoephedrine causes blood vessels to constrict and relieve congestion in nasal passages and draining within the inner ear. It is a well known and common cold symptom reliever used by many people at many different life stages. It is a relatively safe drug with a limited number of reported side-effects. Aside from being a useful decongestant, pseudoephedrine can be synthesized into methamphetamines (“Pseudoephedrine Uses, Dosage & Side Effects”). The reaction cannot occur without sudafed or ephedrine, so the requirement to have a prescription would possible reduce the production of meth in the U.S. However, only about 20 percent of the drugs on the streets are made in…show more content… By connecting what I have learned in class to the research I’ve conducted, I now feel that I have pretty good understanding about the debate over pseudoephedrine and prescription drugs. The structure of pseudoephedrine is only one hydroxyl group from being methamphetamine. After studying the reactions to synthesize the drug, it is clear that really anyone with descent knowledge of chemistry could produce the substance (Scheve). Meth is just one example, but really any substance can be reacted into a “drug” form. Overall, there are good points on either side of the debate. However, I conclude that pseudoephedrine should not be available by prescription