sudafed ok in early 2nd trimester?

i know sudafed is listed as a Cat C drug, but am wondering if any of your docs have expressly forbidden/approved its usage during the early 2nd trimester for congestion? considering taking a dose of my kids' liquid sudafed for sinuses. thanks in advance-

[stephd]

sudafed is ok to take, as is Benadryl and any kind of tyleonl cold product, as long as there is no ibeprofin (sp?) in it.

[AndiJ78]

I was told sudefed was okay, but no to the drying agents like bendryl and diphenhydramine. Bertter run it past your doc first.

Andi

[stephd]

My dr. just told me yesterday that Benadryl is fine and anything else that DOES NOT have ibuprofen in it.

[luv_babies]

My dr also told me Benadryl is fine. If you want to take liquid cold medicine, watch for alcohol content.

[blessed_mommy]

I was told Benadryl is okay but not to take Sudafed until after 14 weeks.

[AndiJ78]

Hey, don't get mad : ) My pharmacist and OB both said no to the two meds. Heck, I have one friend who's OB told her no to EVERYTHING.

It really is better for her tyo check with HER OB on this. Maybe some docs have info others don't.

Andi

[HIS GIFT TO US]

I found my med list from my Dr, I know they all differ a little but to give you an ideal
These meds were listed

If taken according to the instructions, are considered safe during pg.

Tylenol

Sudafed (after 12 wks)
Robitussin
Claritin-D

Maalox,Mylanta, Tums,Zantac,Pepcid-AC

Colace,Dulcolax

Immodium

Emetrol

Gyne-Lottrimin

If symptoms have not improved after 2-3 days call your DR.

[stephd]

I wasnt getting mad.  i was just saying that my dr. said it was ok.  No biggie.  Anyway - yes all dr.s are different.  So she should ask HERS!

[twiceadopt]

thanks to everyone. unfortunately i have a huge HMO and 'my' doc isnt particularly concerned with me. they just read off their list of approved medicines and sudafed (and benadryl) are Cat C, meaning they're more likely to cause problems than tylenol or caffeine, but no one's studied them to know if they actually cause problems. i think i read somewhere that after 14 wks, these things are ok but not before.

[misseltoe]

Both sudafed and benadryl are on my doctor's approved list of medications.  I took them both in the first trimester (though I tried to only take them when I had to, like when I was having an allergic reaction).

It is weird that each doctor has their own list and it can vary so much from practice to practice.  Cat. C doesn't mean it will cause more harm, just that it hasn't been studied  or studied as much as some other drugs.  

Your doctor didn't give you a list of drugs you can take?  You should really call for a list, or ask for one at your next appointment.  

I ran out of sudafed, but if I had some today I would have taken it.  If that makes you feel any better.   A lot of doctors do have sudafed on the approved list.  I read a group where there are about two hundred different women posting at one time, and almost everyone has taken sudafed at one point and when someone has a cold and asks what they can take for it the response is always "sudafed".  So I feel completely safe taking it.

[who_dis]

Even if you have an HMO, there should be a nurse line, or some way to call with questions.  EVERY OB/GYN practice in the country has a way for you to call in with questions.  If you don't know how, just call the office # and ask how you can leave a question for the nurse.  There is always a way to ask a question.

There are many category C drugs that are commonly used in pregnancy.  Andi is right though.  You should ask YOUR doctor.  There are some complicating conditions where Sudafed should not be used, even if in general it is considered ok.  No one here knows your personal health issues to recommend whether you should use it or not.

[pearl451]

My Dr is a stickler for the rules! He is very careful. He told me that sudafed is fine but only the red tablets.

[rnonamission]

I am a registered nurse.  Please DO NOT take medical/medication advice during pregnancy from anyone except your OB/GYN (and that includes your primary care doctor, by the way, as they oftentimes don't have a CLUE about which meds are safe during pregnancy!).  Also, especially DO NOT take medical/medication advice from someone that can't even spell the name of the medications correctly.  Just a warning, because I care.

[rnonamission]

Now I am speaking as a mother whose primary care doctor encouraged/allowed her to take Sudafed while she was pregnant like she was eating candy and not as a registered nurse.

I would only suggest taking Sudafed or anything with psuedoephedrine in it if you are interested in struggling for the next 60-70 years with a son or daughter who has ADHD.

I took it "according to package directions" and with the permission of my idiot primary care doctor (without checking with my OB/GYN--I know, chalk it up to youth and stupidity) and our son is still dealing--and will continue to deal with for the rest of his life--the aftereffects, which for him/us was ADHD.

Oh, I know, the drug companies will try to convince you there is no direct connection.  And I only have personal/anecdotal evidence that there is.  

But WHY RISK IT?

Please, if you have read this far, don't take sudafed/pseudoephedrine while you are pregnant.  Ever.