Sudafed Use

megz0929 · December 2014

I received the approval today from my doctor to take some sudafed for this horrible sinus infection that I've been fighting for about 12 days now. I'm curious if any other moms out there have taken the sudafed and in what dosing? My doctor said to follow the directions on the package. It's two tabs every 4 to 6 hours. That seems like a lot to me. I've also been prescribed amoxicollin to cut the infection. Any advice or words of calm would be good!

Scarlettg · December 2014

I've taken it yesterday and today. I have the 12-hour kind (which my doc said was fine) and took only one. I took Benadryl at night because it doesn't last as long and because it has the added bonus of making me sleepy. Have also been taking Robitussin concurrently, which the doc said was also fine, in 4-hour increments.

Best advice is to take it while you need it, and then when you feel like you can power through without it, quit.

Wait, he gave you antibiotics? Do you have a bacterial infection? That would worry me more than the OTC stuff since antibiotics are useless against viruses (cold and flu) and can make you and your baby resistant to antibiotics if they're over-used. Not to question the intelligence of your doc specifically; I question every doc who prescribes me antibiotics.

AmCheri · December 2014

It's on my approved list from the MFM, though I haven't taken it so I cannot comment on dosage. When I was pregnant with our first, I had a wicked sinus infection. The MFM consulted with an ENT and they put me on Omnicef. It was wonderful! Also, I'm sick right now and think it's morphing into another sinus infection. Gross, yes, but I'm trying to keep up with Sinu.cleanse. Feel better!

donnamartingraduates93 · December 2014

I took the 12 hr one as directed after getting the green light from my doctor. That said, I am definitely not qualified to be dishing out medical advice, so listen to your doctor.

AmCheri · December 2014

I had to take antibiotics because I was running a fever over 103, which concerned me far more than taking antibiotics. About a day and a half into the course of Omnicef, my infection cleared. I have never kicked a sinus infection without antibiotics.

Scarlettg · December 2014

@AmCheri yeah, I think all sinus infections are bacterial and a fever that high is definitely scary. I didn't mean that antibiotics are bad all of the time, or that we should never take them. Hell, I took them earlier in my pregnancy for a UTI. I just know some folks who seem to think they're the answer to everything and they're not. However, I do not have "M. D." after my name, so what do I know?

AmCheri · December 2014

@Scarlettg, I gotcha! Lots of docs overprescribe to be sure, so it's always good to think critically about it.

I suppose you can wait out a sinus infection because they are probably self limiting, but if a fever is involved, I'd definitely take the meds.

specialsn0wflake · December 2014

Listen to your doctor. If you have doubts, get a second opinion from another doctor, not here. While the wonderful women on this site are very helpful, we are not doctors and any medical advice would be opinion, not fact (in most cases).

Hope you feel better soon! I've also had to take sudafed and amoxicillin while pregnant, so I know your struggle right now!

Ginja85 · December 2014

Just adding for anyone searching for Sudafed info.

*If you have a mood disorder please look into other medications & discuss with your doctor all available options. Sudafed can cause episodes of mania, wether or not you are taking mood stabilizers.

XOXO,
The psych ward lady

nikitaparchem · December 2014

Resident friendly pharmacist chiming in - the directions on regular sudafed (pseudoephedrine) that you get from behind the pharmacy counter are, as OP stated, 2 tablets (60mg) every 4-6 hours which means a total of 240mg if taken every 4 hours. My medically educated opinion is that if your MD is ok with you taking it then just don't take more than is recommended. If you are nervous then only take it every 6 hours rather than every 4. The biggest risk with sudafed (after the first trimester) is an increase in blood pressure so you can always check it if you are concerned. Of note make sure to get the sudafed from behind the counter not the kind available on the shelves as the one on the shelves is not pseudoephedrine but phenylephrine which has an increased risk of preterm labor compared to pseudoephedrine.

Hope you feel better soon! I just had a nasty upper respiratory virus last week and was regularly taking mucinex and sudafed with tylenol just to function.

topaz7777 · December 2014

I can't do sudafed, it causes my blood pressure to rise a good deal. Gives me a terrible headache. I hope it gives you some relief.

Seachele98 · December 2014

I've taken Sudafed during pregnancy, following doctors recommendations, but I only took it when I absolutely needed to.

I also just finished a dose of antibiotics. Follow their directions, Im sure you'll be fine.

tdmloverrn · December 2014

I took Sudafed about 10 weeks ago when I had a horrible cold. It really helped. The advice nurse told me pseudoephedrine is best, so I got that and I believe it was the 12 hour tablet.

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