This is because of the way phenylephrine works. The drug relieves nasal congestion by narrowing the blood.

Pregnancy And Otc Cough Cold And Analgesic Preparations

However studies do not show the presence of clear evidence of this.

Is sudafed safe while pregnant. Recently pseudoephedrine has been examined more closely and should only be offered to pregnant women after having a risk benefit discussion with their doctor. However you should control the dosage well. In general taking decongestants during pregnancy is safe after the first trimester.

Au tga pregnancy category b2. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that is used to treat nasal congestion stuffy nose caused by colds or allergies. Topical or nasal spray decongestants such as afrin were once thought to be safe for most pregnant women.

For a long time pseudoephedrine sudafed for congestion guaifenesin robitussin for cough and acetaminophen tylenol for pain were considered safe in pregnancy. Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Sudafed pe is a little different from regular sudafed because it contains phenylephrine hcl instead of pseudoephedrine hci.

Pseudoephedrine can be combined with other ingredients to help treat other symptoms that may come with having a cold or allergies. It also relieves nasal congestion due to common cold hay fever and other upper respiratory allergies. Still it is better to get a doctor s approval first.

Theoretically decongestants can have an adverse effect on the fetus due to the narrowing of the vessels caused by them. When taken orally phenylephrine hcl can narrow the blood vessels in your uterus which can decrease blood flow. Saline only nasal sprays are considered safe during pregnancy.

Decongestant medications reduce stuffiness and sinus pressure by constricting the blood vessels in your nose which reduces swelling. Phenylephrine hcl is not considered safe for pregnant women especially in the first trimester because of its association with birth defects. Pseudoephedrine sold under the brand name sudafed is used to provide temporary relief from sinus congestion and pressure.

In general sudafed pregnancy category is almost safe. Research suggests that phenylephrine that s taken by mouth is not safe for pregnant women. Pseudoephedrine is sold under many different brand names.

During your third or second trimesters you can use sudafed up to 50mg dosages for each 6 hours without high blood pressure or hypertension if needed. However these too work by constricting blood flow to the sinuses and it is now thought that it can be absorbed systemically. Pseudoephedrine is sold behind the counter which means it is accessible without a prescription only after the pharmacist assesses the patient s requirements.

Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are available over the counter as sudafed and are safe for many women to use during pregnancy. There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women.