That's the drug they've replaced pseudoephedrine with. I know psuedoephedrine is usually on the "ok" list for pregnancy drugs. It's hard to find pregnancy info on the newer drug. I *have* taken it this pregnancy, in the first trimester no less, and it just didn't do squat for me. I had to switch to the real stuff (pseudoephedrine). I'm surprised you actually had the opposite reaction, as psuedoephedrine is what is in Claritin D.

Call your OB/midwife to see what they say about the Sudafed PE. I can tell you that I took it in the first trimester and at my 20 week u/s, baby was perfectly fine and normal and had all his fingers and toes.

While googling, I saw some mention of vasicular constriction causing placenta problems, but I certainly haven't had that issue, and I imagine it'd probably be pretty rare. I've also seen mention of OBs ok'ing this drug.

So just double check with your hcp and see what they think you should do. And don't freak out. Your baby is very likely FINE.

 

My CNM has regular sudafed on the list (you have to get it from behind the pharmacy counter now- but it's not prescription), but specifies not to take PE. You're probably okay, but I wouldn't take anymore.

 

I did the same thing a couple weeks ago and then went to my doctors and the paper said no sudafed. However, my friends doctors office says it safe. I stopped taking it none the less, I'm hoping everything is ok though, I'm sure it is.

 

I finally got a callback from my doctor's office, and they said don't take any more PE. The PA actually said I should just use a saline rinse for my sinuses, which is what I've been doing. If I can just get through the next massage I have to give, I will be ok with being miserable tonight.

 

My guess would be that it just hasn't been tested on pregnant women, not that it's dangerous, but I would stop taking it anyway. Also, in studies it's been shown to be barely more effective than the placebo, it really doesn't work anyway. I think the whole sudafed behind the counter thing is really stupid, personally.

 

I'm a little shocked at all of you ladies. Don't take your doctor's word for any of this. As should be very obvious from the varied responses, some doctors are fine with it and some aren't. They aren't the ones taking the risk, you are.

EVERY drug taken in pregnancy carries a risk. Do the research for yourself. A quick google search will turn up the info, or go to Safe Fetus. My doc okayed several drugs early on for dealing with my allergies, I did the research and was pi$$ed. The drugs she recommended carry a risk of heart defects, and we have a history of heart defects (in our first child), and she knew that. No way was I going to take a drug that would increase that risk.

 

Yes, every drug carries a risk. I personally did NOT go to medical school so I do in fact tend to listen to what my doctor and PA say. Not everything can be self-diagnosed with a Google search, contrary to much of what I read on this forum. Just me, though. I'm sorry your doctor ignored an obvious risk, but I don't think expressing shock at our questions is helpful. You aren't a doctor and the alarmist tendencies of this board can be laughable at best and panic-inducing at worst.

 

I *did* do a google search when I had sinus stuff early in this pregnancy, and at that time, the Safe Fetus and other sites listing drug safety information for pregnancy didn't even LIST the the drug that's in the PE. So that was no help at all!

Also, an OB would be more likely to know about specific drugs for pregnancy, since afterall, that is their specialty - pregnancy. If you ask the pharmacist, they'll just tell you the category of the drug, which isn't very useful. Some category C drugs, for example, cause developmental defects in the first trimester, but wouldn't affect anything after that because the baby is already developed. When looking at yeast meds, my OB said that anything he rx'd in the second trimester on would be fine for that very reason, even though some of them are category C meds and have "birth defects" as risks found in animal testing. The baby won't be born with 3 fingers if all 10 fingers already developed in the first trimester.

And I'm pretty sure MY OB keeps up with the research and side effects of various drugs. He's really good to keep up with latest research on a lot of things. If your OB missed something like heart defects when you have a history of heart defects in your family, then I would question that particular OB, but not all OBs. Some doctors don't keep up with current research, and I'd stay far, far away from one like that. I've heard my OB say enough things that showed that he is keeping up with the latest research, that I do trust what he says about the safety of a drug. Yes, I will double check the info myself, but so far, everything my OB has told me has checked out, with regards to drugs.