Is it safe?

skauppila · November 2012

To take Sudafed while pregnant? I am worried my congestion will turn into an ear/sinus infection if I don't take something. Anyone know if it's safe?

mollyskywalker · November 2012

Nope. Pretty much all you can take is Tylenol and some allergy meds. Ask your doctor for recs.

sbonnie · November 2012

My doc gave me a list of meds that were "okay" and I am pretty sure Sudafed was not on there.

cheesecakerunner · November 2012

Call your doctor. My MW ok'd regular sudafed.

SammieLou88 · November 2012

I would call your Dr. Mine did allow me to take Sudafed when I had a cold that turned into bronchitis...but that was because the alternative was asthma attacks caused from me coughing so hard.

KellyM10 · November 2012

My doctor told me I could take Sudafed. And even Sudafed D which has the decongestion stuff in it. If you're worried about it, ask your doctor though.

randimarie86 · November 2012

I would say ask your doc. They all say something differently. I got a looooong list of approved meds, and sudafed and tylenol sinus were both on it. I'm just getting over a nasty cold, and all I was taking was the daytime tylenol sinus and cough drops.

SlopesShredder · November 2012

I've taken it when my congestion is really bad. It was okay'ed by my Dr.

Angela814 · November 2012

Grace0609:
Yes. Pseudoephedrine is on my doctor's ok list AFTER first trimester. It used to be ok in any trimester during my first pregnancy, but for some reason they changed it to after first trimester the last time I was pregnant.

Yes. This. Regular Sudafed is on my OB's approved list.

KMLilly143 · November 2012

My doc said it was fine but I'd call yours just to make sure.

JSS1002 · November 2012

My doc also said Sudafed was safe, as does Infantrisk.org, which is my go-to source for these sorts of questions!

lisaNDmike08 · November 2012

Sudafed is a class C drug for pregnancy. I personally would find something else to take, but the others are right that it's best to talk it through with your doctor. Even if you did require an antibiotic, antibiotics are class B I believe so that's theoretically a lower risk to the baby.

https://safefetus.com/search.php/index/fda

AMJ6511 · November 2012

I wouldn't take it.

NativeFloridian · November 2012

I had to ride it out. When I called the on-call nurse I was full-blown miserable with a totally clogged and painful left ear, a partially clogged right ear, completely unable to breathe out of my nose about 75% of the time, and basically couldn't smell or taste anything. At that point, she suggested going to the doc for antibiotics. What I can say is that mine is resolving itself pretty well, and I didn't end up getting antibiotics because there was a 2-hour wait time by the time I walked in, and I figured some sleep would be better.

I pretty much second what PP said about calling your doc. If you don't HAVE to be miserable, you shouldn't be. But it will probably depend on how your doc feels about how likely you are to develop an infection your body can't fight on its own vs. the risks associated with the medicine.

imwithrebel · November 2012

This is the chart I use. I didn't see Sudafed on the list, but there's several other things you could try.

blueandgray · November 2012

I called my dr last week and asked,and she said Sudafed was ok after 1st tri, but not to use longer than 3 days. Just check the label - there's Sudafed, and Sudafed PE. I think plain Sudafed is the one that is ok, but call your dr and ask to be sure.

Or you can try plain saline nasal spray. Just make sure its just saline, not with any added decongestant medicines in it.

synchrosally · November 2012

Many docs ok Sudafed or Tylenol cold and sinus but I would only take those as a last resort. Try using a neti pot or Hydrasense first to clear out your sinuses.