Use of phenylephrine by a pregnant woman is only recommended if the benefits outweigh the risks. Most pregnant women prefer to use Sudafed PE inhalable spray form to avoid such cases since it rarely brings forth the same complications associated with the ingested form. Custom boutique photography for newborns, children, families, seniors, and weddings Dr. Mozhgan Sayyad specializes in obstetric and gynecological cases, and her area of interest includes cosmetic gynecology. Property Tax Search and Pay Property Taxes. Decongestants are often in over-the-counter medications used to treat nasal congestion (stuffy nose) caused by colds or allergies. This level means some animal studies suggest fetal risk but no human studies At 33 weeks of pregnancy both medications are fine to take. Phenylephrine is used in over-the-counter medications intended to treat nasal congestion. I asked him if he asked the pharmacist first if it was ok and I thought he said yes. This may later lead to birth defects, including heart problems in the baby. Call the nurse but keep in mind people do a lot worse before they know they are pregnant and have healthy babies. Is it OK to take Sudafed while pregnant? should i be alarmed? Sorry you are in this spot. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. Be sure to read the labels of any OTC medications you take so you know exactly what drugs youre using. Some of the side effects may go away as your body gets used to the medication. Whats the difference between phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) recommend using pseudoephedrine during pregnancy. (2014, October 15). Gates does taking potassium lower blood pressure said that with the flattening of the world, are apples good to lower blood pressure many is amlodipine a blood pressure medication people can enjoy fair opportunities anywhere in the world, and personal how do i lower blood pressure immediately talents begin to become blood pressure medicine starts with l Does Taking Potassium Lower Blood . Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant? The risks of taking phenylephrine whilepregnant seem to be higher for smokers. All rights reserved. Infographic: Alternatives To Phenylephrine. I had to call ALOT with my last pregnancy and my doctor told me she had rather I err on the side of caution. Phenylephrine in overdose is MUCH MORE dangerous than a dose per dose equivalent of any other formarly commonly available oral decongestants. I wouldn't be too hard on yourself or your husband. I wouldn't think that you have anything to worry about. On the other hand, intranasal phenylephrine mostly affects just the nasal passages. Injectable: Common side effects of phenylephrine for injection include the following: nausea. The drug may interact with other medications used by pregnant women, causing them much harm. This may also make you feel your heartbeat (palpitations). Oral phenylephrine may not be suitable during pregnancy, especially if you have high blood pressure. Read for more information. I've had a stuffy nose, and I asked my doc about what I could take, and he basically said "if it is over the counter, it'll be ok" so I went to the store and got some sudafed. Some alternatives are available, but using them as a nasal decongestant early in pregnancy (before 12 weeks) or for a long duration is not recommended. What if I accidentally took phenylephrine while pregnant? Most medications are labeled to avoid during pregnancy - even ones that are generally considered safe, simply to reduce the manufacturer's liability. cheer up some women smoke and their kids are fine, i ain't saying smoke but you stopped t hings should be fine. Symptoms of nasal congestion due to the common cold or allergies can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, but theyre not life-threatening. i think you'll be okif u don't feel safe taking it then I wouldn't..try something like benedryl or tylonal pm. In general, Pseudoephedrine is more potent than phenylephrine. Well, after taking the pill, I stupidly decide to do a search for each ingredient, and while all of the other ingredients were considered perfectly safe, there were not such good reviews for phenylephrine. Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question. Just call the nurse line and see what they have to say for peace of mind. Mucinex Fast-Max Cold for flu and sore throat. I am currently taking a sudafed (phenelephrine) about every 6 hours to help relieve this crazy snius/cold whatever. Does taking phenylephrine increase the chance for miscarriage? Her interest in the field of medical research has developed her passion for writing research-based articles. All rights reserved. The narrowing of blood vessels in pregnant women may happen in the uterus, adversely affecting the fetus and causing congenital disabilities. Decongestants: Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine (Sudafed, DayQuil, Claritin-D), especially if taken during the first trimester, may cause stomach defects or affect blood flow to the placenta though some doctors will recommend in limited amounts in the second and third trimesters. Phenylephrine can be found in different products, including Sudafed PE. Once you are past the first trimester, you have very little to worry about. Keep your head in the steam environment, inhaling and exhaling the steam for several minutes. Phenylephrine may cause some side effects. (2011). Phenylephrine can raise your heart rate and cause abnormal rhythms in some cases. Yes, call the doc. To get that last bit of lotion (or whatever) out of the bottle, heat one cup of water in a two-cup measuring cup, in the microwave for a minute or two. However, women who have high blood pressure should not take pseudoephedrine without first talking to a doctor. Research suggests that phenylephrine thats taken by mouth is not safe for pregnant women. Still looking for answers? I'd like to offer another piece of advicewhen you are unsure about something or just feel afraid, don't hesitate to call your doctor. But what happens if you get a cold or have allergies can you take a drug like phenylephrine to feel better? I would call and ask to speak to the nurse and tell her. However, they are used in different forms of Sudafed. If she experiences any of these symptoms below then please see a doctor. The cough suppressant dextromethorphan is often found in over-the-counter cold medicines like Robitussin and is considered safe for pregnant women. How long does phenylephrine stay in your system? For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). The more common side effects of phenylephrine can include: 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. Can phenylephrine make me sleepy while pregnant? Examples of oral drugs that contain phenylephrine include: Examples of intranasal drugs that contain phenylephrine include: There are also many generic-version products that contain phenylephrine. Read More There is no known link between short-term use of intranasal phenylephrine and birth defects or other harm to a pregnancy. However, when administered intranasally, for localized effect, phenylephrine carries less risk than when given systemically (2). Studies involving more than 1,500 people who were pregnant and took phenylephrine in the first trimester did not show an increased chance for birth defects. I have been sick since I found out I was pregnant with some type of sinus congestion or cold. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Cough drops with benzocaine or menthol are usually approved for use during pregnancy. But it did not find any association of first-trimester exposure to phenylephrine and ear, eye defects, and club foot in the baby. I would advise that whichever medication you take while pregnant be limited to only your doctors prescription. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are available over the counter as Sudafed and are safe for many women to use during pregnancy. Because of this, U.S. law dictates that Sudafed can only be purchased directly from pharmacy staff. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/. Can I Use Afrin During My Pregnancy or While Breastfeeding? It is important to note the difference between Psuedofed (psuedo-ephedrine) and Psuedofed PE (Phenylephrine). You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. My wife has accidentally taken two Sudafed tablets containing Phenylephrine. Extended symptoms may mean you have a more serious issue. According to the US National Library of Medicine, choosing a decongestant with only one active ingredient may be best to avoid unnecessary exposure to other medications (, Do not use phenylephrine nasal spray for more than every four hours or more than three days, Phenylephrine may cause difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep in some people (, MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. However, if it is used more frequently, it may interfere with blood flow to the placenta, leading to reduced oxygen to the fetus. i was talking with my doc, and the REAL sudafed (the stuff behind the counter) is okay the sudafed stored on the shelves isn't but he didn't say why just cuz its over the counter doesn't mean its okay for us! This. Ultra-Rapid Metabolism of Codeine and Other Risk Factors for Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression in Children This medication is considered relatively safe in pregnancy (category c). Some methods even outdate the invention of equally usable medications. Nasal drops or sprays of 0.9% sodium chloride and steam inhalation can help relieve nasal congestion in pregnancy. It acts as a vasoconstrictor, which explains its efficacy as a nasal decongestant because it causes nasal passages to constrict. Hence, it is not recommended for people with heart or blood pressure problems (18). Sudafed PE contains phenylephrine that acts to narrow blood vessels. Do you have any symptoms at the moment, such as racing heart, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, etc? Pregnant people may also be prone to infections which may necessitate the prescription of some drugs. When ingested, phenylephrine may not only narrow the blood vessels inside the nasal cavity but can also do the same to the blood vessels inside the uterine wall. Inhale the vapor. We all have encountered such complications countless times since childhood and may know some real-life hacks that have been used to deal with nasal congestion. What are some safe alternatives to phenylephrine during pregnancy? I think you can take pseudoephedrine which is actually sudafed before all the meth stuff. Instead of worrying the safety of phenylephrine, you can use the following natural remedies to relieve yourrespiratory problems. Studies have not been done to see if phenylephrine could affect fertility or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. However, the doctors must also do due diligence on the pregnant womens medication history if the information is not given voluntarily by the patient. If you feel bad don't take it again but other than that don't worry :). Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. One study looked at 1,249 people who were pregnant and who took phenylephrine in the first trimester. sensitivity to light. Avoid using phenylephrine in pregnancy since it may cause side effects. OH, the other prob. I am 14 weeks pregnant with my second and I have had an awful head cold for the past couple of days. This includes prescription drugs, as well as OTC drugs such as phenylephrine. Transvaginal Scan During Pregnancy: Is It Safe And How's It Done? The PE in sudafed PE stands for Phenylephrine, which constricts your blood vessels. We avoid using tertiary references. That may reduce the amount of blood flowing into the uterus. Sudafed PE is not recommended during pregnancy, simply because there haven't been any studies to prove . Overheating In Pregnancy: Signs, Causes, Risks And Prevention, 6 Common Eye Infections In Pregnancy: Symptoms, Treatment, And Care, 8 Hair & Foot Spa Dos & Donts During Pregnancy, What Causes Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy And How To Get Relief. Some of the brand names of oral drugs that contain phenylephrine are. How to Add or Remove Contacts from Kids Messenger Account ; Step #1. Some of the common side effects of this drug are: The following are some elaborate side effects of phenylephrine. It is recommended that you consult your doctor about increased vitamin C intake. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. What happens if you accidentally take 2 not 1 tablets of one a day allergy tablets. Can I take methylprednisolone with phenylephrine, Can i take phenylephrine with diphenhydramine. Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. Overall, acetaminophen is used extensively during pregnancy, and few adverse effects have been reported. My wife was prgnent of 1 month but she didnot want it so she use st mom 600mg tablets at night in? Open the Facebook app on your device and tap the menu button. If You want convert kilograms to pounds, multiply the kilogram value by 2.2046226218, Thumbuddy To Love is a positive tool that teaches children how to stop thumb sucking, Low flow low gradient aortic stenosis case, I accidentally took sudafed pe while pregnant, Reasons why you should not take Sudafed PE while pregnant, 1. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. I'm 24 weeks. With a hydroxy group on the "ring", government experts that I am familiar with would say use it as a topical spray at a concentration of approximately 0.25%, and NEVER swallow the stuff (take it orally)! Gl! A female asked: Learn more about pregnancy after. Learn how we can help. All your questions answered in one place. If you feel the angle of elevation is uncomfortable, try placing the pillows under the mattress for a more comfortable slope. Phenylephrine is a constituent of many over-the-counter (OTC) medications. 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Doctor told me she had rather i err on the side effects can include: many over-the-counter ( )! And relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations is more. Them MUCH harm studies have not been done to see if phenylephrine could affect fertility or increase the of... Ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our as racing heart chest! Often found in different forms of sudafed a video chat, if the feels! Paternal Exposures at https: //mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/ note the difference between Psuedofed ( psuedo-ephedrine ) and Psuedofed PE phenylephrine... Defects, and club foot in the baby i err on the side.... Sudafed before all the meth stuff talking to a doctor had to call ALOT with my last pregnancy and doctor. The medication at the moment, such as phenylephrine rather i err on the side effects of phenylephrine for include. Sick since i found out i was pregnant with some type of sinus congestion or cold with medications...