I took phenylephedrine HCI and now I'm worried about miscarriage and birth defects

[Headmeister]

I'm 13w pg and a few days ago I took phenylephedrine HCI (a generic version of sudafed PE) because I had a horrible sinus migraine. I didn't look it up to see if it was safe because since I am still breastfeeding my 17 month old, I wouldn't be taking anything that wasn't safe. However I haven't taken it in probably a year and now when I went to take it again, I decided "let me just be sure that this is the correct one" and to my horror, it's a class C drug that can cause issues like brain damage and miscarriage - but I swear I took this before with my doctors blessing when I was pg with my DD.

Now I'm worried... Have any of you ever taken phenylephedrine while pg? Do you think I have anything to worry about?

[Ammaarah]

I am pretty sure I was told to take that when I was pregnant and my daughter is fine. I have friends who had to take Category D drugs when pregnant and their children are also fine. I doubt taking it once or twice could make any difference. Don't stress about it.

[mediumcrunch]

A one time dose of a Cat C drug has little chance to do any lasting harm.
Pseudoephedrine is usually the decongestant of choice during pregnancy. Regular Sudafed, the one you have to show a drivers license to purchase.

[susla]

I was really congested a few weeks ago when I was around 26 weeks and my doctor told me I could take Sudafed so I'm sure it's fine.

[rhiOrion]

I did a bit of googling this when the midwives told me the occasional decongestant was okay. I was mostly googling pseudoephedrine, but I think in this case the issues are the same?

Anyhow, what I came up with was that it is more dangerous in the first trimester, when the spinal column is still closing. BUT, nothing suggested that one-time use was linked to anything really bad.

[etsdtm99]

my OB told me it was fine too (though i never did take it), after doing my own research i would not take it often (some people take it daily for allergies etc) and i would try to avoid it between 6-10 weeks when there is the highest risk for birth defects etc. i wuold not worry at all about taking it just once..