I came down with a pretty bad cold and I've been taking 12 hour Sudafed since Thursday. According to my OB office it's OK to take. However, today a pharmacist told me that it's not because it'll "strangle" the babies. I'm assuming he means it will vasoconstrict and interfere with blood flow from the placenta. There's no way I'm going to get any sleep without taking something tonight. What have you ladies heard? What do you recommend for congestion besides saline spray?
I have always heard Sudafed is okay. It is currently on my list of things I can take from my OB. However, I personally can't take it because it totallly hypes me up!
Sudafed - OK per my OB too. The pharm actually said the word "strangle"?! Way to freak you out! This is a great resource for information on meds for colds in pregnancy: http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.asp?show...page=8_1708.htm
I got sick in my first trimester and my doc told me to take Sudafed and my girls turned out just fine.
This is from a page I have bookmarked; quote: For years, health care providers have felt comfortable recommending pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) for congestion, guaifenesin (Robitussin) for cough and acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain. Lately, however, pseudoephedrine has received some additional scrutiny, and, for the time being at least, should no longer be offered to pregnant women without a "risk/benefit" discussion. Use of pseudoephedrine should be reserved for severe congestion that significantly impacts sleep and quality of life, and it may not be appropriate for use in the first trimester of pregnancy. Since you are no longer in your first trimester and sleep is an issue it sounds like your risk/benefit is fairly clear.
I have heard that Benadryl is okay during pregnancy, and it's an antihistamine, so it should clear a stuffy nose -- maybe this would work for you, and help you sleep, too?
I'm pretty sure you are not supposed to take the "PE" or long acting. Just get the normal pheudophed that you take every 4-6 hrs. I think that's the issue that the pharmacist was worried about. You can also take (per my docs paperwork, please ask your own) the tylenol cold that has tylenol and pseudophed. I had a really horrible head cold and these two saved me. Plus showers before bed and a humidifier at night. Good luck, Mj
quote: Originally posted by Merijo: I'm pretty sure you are not supposed to take the "PE" or long acting. Just get the normal pheudophed that you take every 4-6 hrs. I think that's the issue that the pharmacist was worried about. PE is the newly formulated regular sudafed... it is 4-6 hours just like the original, but you only take on tablet. I was always told it was fine... try to avoid it the 1st trimester if possible, but its fine. BUT I was told the same as MJ to only take the red one that was the 'basic' sudafed (or now PE)... none of the 12 hour or other ones. My OB said its just to much meds for you body to deal with at once when prego.
i have never been told not to use sudefed. that is the only thing that i take if i start to get a cold or migraine and my ob said that she reccomended that over some of the other things out there. i take the sinus and migraine to nock out both at the same time. that is also the only thing that will knock out my migraines too. lots of love! meshell
Yes, you are right. I was not sure about the name they gave it.. but I've read not to take the long lasting/extended release stuff. The regular 4-6 hr stuff is ok. Hmmm, what is that PE stuff - I think it's actually a slightly different drug. But the pharmacist we talked to said it was ok. Hope you feel better with your cold. Mj
