Why is sudafed bad for pregnant women

If you have already taken pseudoephedrine in the first trimester, remember that the risk for these birth defects, if any at all, is very small. Could taking pseudoephedrine in the second or third trimester cause other pregnancy complications?

Talk with your healthcare provider before you start or stop taking any medication. If you use a decongestant after the first trimester, it is best to choose one that contains only one active ingredient not one with many active ingredients. This avoids exposing the baby to other medications that may not be needed. Never take more than the recommended dose.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about how much to take. Pseudoephedrine can constrict blood vessels, which might raise blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your healthcare provider about medications that would be best for you. Does taking pseudoephedrine in pregnancy cause any long-term problems in behavior or learning for the baby?

There are no studies looking at whether pseudoephedrine use in pregnancy would affect long term development or learning. On the other hand, intranasal phenylephrine mostly affects just the nasal passages. You take an intranasal drug directly into the nose, typically by a spray.

In general, intranasal decongestants should only be used for three days at a time. There is no known link between short-term use of intranasal phenylephrine and birth defects or other harm to a pregnancy.

Oral phenylephrine can interact with some medications that a pregnant woman may be given before, during, and after labor. Oxytocics and ergot derivatives are two classes of these medications. These drugs are used for things such as managing labor and treating postpartum bleeding. Taking these drugs while also taking phenylephrine by mouth can increase blood pressure in the mother, which can cause pregnancy complications or cause the baby to be born too early. These effects are not linked with use of intranasal forms of phenylephrine, however.

Phenylephrine may cause some side effects. Some of the side effects may go away as your body gets used to the medication. Serious side effects are usually caused by swallowing the intranasal product by accident. Some serious side effects can include:.

Many over-the-counter OTC medications contain phenylephrine. Because of the risks during pregnancy, you should know which products contain this ingredient so you can avoid them as needed. Examples of oral drugs that contain phenylephrine include:. There are also many generic-version products that contain phenylephrine. These products may combine phenylephrine with other drugs such as guaifenesin which loosens mucus and dextromethorphan a cough suppressant.

As with any new medication, patients should discuss possible side-effects with their health care provider prior to taking it. Some decongestants, especially ones that contain pseudoephedrine, can cause elevations in blood pressure, so patients with chronic or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure should stay away from those medications. Other treatments that can help with nasal congestion include Vicks Vapor Rub, humidifiers especially during dry winters and saline nasal sprays.

Physicians caution against using Nasal Pots during pregnancy, as the nasal flushing can strain an already weakened immune system.

The best solution is to avoid exposure to triggers in allergies, use over the counter nasal spray to ease nasal dryness, bleeding, or congestion, include physical activity in a daily routine to reduce nasal inflammation, as well as trying over-the-counter nasal strips at night to keep nasal passages clear while sleeping.

Allergies can be uncomfortable and often times unbearable, and although much of the advice regarding the use of decongestants while pregnant remains muddled, most doctors agree that you should contact your individual physician before beginning the use of any medication that treats allergies. Be the first to comment! No comments yet. Close this dialog window Add a comment.

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