1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. It acts as a vasoconstrictor, which explains its efficacy as a nasal decongestant because it causes nasal passages to constrict. Phenylephrine is found in several different over-the-counter medications. Is It Safe To Use Mucinex While Pregnant or Breastfeeding? Atleast you now know! Property Tax Search and Pay Property Taxes. Still looking for answers? Drape a bath towel over your head and breathe deeply for 5 minutes. What Are Some Of The OTC Drugs That Contain Phenylephrine? Read this post to know about phenylephrine in detail, including its side effects and safety during pregnancy. I am 14 weeks pregnant with my second and I have had an awful head cold for the past couple of days. A nurse midwife is a nurse with education, training, and certification to provide prenatal, delivery, and women's care. This. It is difficult to define how frequently these side effects can occur. Some common ones include the following: Many other generic products also contain phenylephrine; itis usually combined with other drugs including guaifenesin and dextromethorphan. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider. 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. Some studies have found that taking NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, celecoxib) during the early part of pregnancy may increase your risk of miscarriage. As with any new medication, patients should discuss possible side effects with their health care provider, prior to taking it. I have a list that my OBGYN gives out to pregnant women with like all the OTC medicines we can and cannot take for different ailments. Drugs in pregnancy and lactation: A reference guide to fetal and neonatal risk. Studies have not been done to see if phenylephrine can cause behavior or learning issues for the child. Here's what you need to know. Because phenylephrine can make blood vessels smaller (constrict), there are theoretical concerns that using this medication could reduce blood flow through the placenta (organ that grows during pregnancy to supply the developing baby with food and oxygen). BUT while I was there they ran a NON clean catch UA (since I needed so much assistance due to pain and weekness) but I was SHOCKED when they said I tested pos. Avoid using phenylephrine in pregnancy since it may cause side effects. BUT now I think with all I've read my nose spray must be the answer. Phenylephrine may not be the best choice during pregnancy, especially for women in their first trimester. Another case study supported the hypothesis that the use of phenylephrine as a nasal decongestant in the first trimester increased the risk of endocardial cushion defect(2). Many. Decongestants are often in over-the-counter medications used to treat nasal congestion (stuffy nose) caused by colds or allergies. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). Well, my husband brought home a sinus congestion and pain medicine. Decongestants: Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine (Sudafed, DayQuil, Claritin-D), especially if taken during the first trimester, may cause stomach defects or affect blood flowto the placenta though some doctors will recommend in limited amounts in the second and third trimesters. Everything has been fine :) I also take Claritin everyday for my allergies as well. You may find out about your pregnancy while you are taking Phentermine. Phenylephrine is not safe for consumption by pregnant women, especially in the first trimester of their pregnancy. All rights reserved. Receive small business resources and advice about entrepreneurial info, home based business, business franchises and startup opportunities for entrepreneurs. If you feel bad don't take it again but other than that don't worry :). See a medical professional for personalized consultation. Thank. What if I accidentally took phenylephrine while pregnant? A female asked: As a writer of more than two years experience, she aims Are Phenylephrine-containing Decongestants Safe During Pregnancy? 3. Tell your husband he's an idiot, then check the back of your insurance card for a nurses hotline. Phenylephrine is in a class of medications called nasal decongestants. Read More ". Avoid them as much as possible. Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question. What if I accidentally took phenylephrine while pregnant? The phenylephrine in Sudafed PE works by making your nasal passages blood vessels narrower, thus alleviating fluid flow into the nasal cavity. What happens if you accidentally take 2 not 1 tablets of one a day allergy tablets. A: For a long time pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) for congestion, guaifenesin (Robitussin) for cough and acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain were considered "safe" in pregnancy. Phenylephrine will relieve symptoms but will not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Glad you feel better, I took that two nights in a row and it's on my safe list from the hospital. Symptoms of nasal congestion due to the common cold or allergies can be uncomfortable and unpleasant, but theyre not life-threatening. How to Add or Remove Contacts from Kids Messenger Account ; Step #1. Increasing your vitamin C intake helps to fight infection and reduces your chance of nose bleeding. What are some safe alternatives to phenylephrine during pregnancy? This medication is considered relatively safe in pregnancy (category c). 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. (2011). Instead of worrying the safety of phenylephrine, you can use the following natural remedies to relieve yourrespiratory problems. 1. D.H. answers from Birmingham on December 05, 2006. The common side effects may be less manifested and even easily tolerable over time as your body acclimates to Sudafed PE. I had taken it for a little over a week. However, if you're pregnant, you should be sure to talk to your doctor before using either form of phenylephrine. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Pregnant patients should be instructed to use the smallest effective dose of the medication. The drug could constrict the blood vessels that deliver blood to the uterus and so it is possible that the baby won't get enough oxygen. Does taking phenylephrine in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems? for amphetamines yet I would assume that would be the broader of the two meds/drugs. Phenylephrine has also been used to treat temporary low blood pressure caused by anesthesia used during surgeries. Patients can be advised to take 325 to 1,000 mg every four to six hours as needed (maximum of 4,000 mg/day). OTIS/MotherToBaby encourages inclusive and person-centered language. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 6 Jan 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 11 Jan 2023), ASHP (updated 11 Jan 2023) and others. The risk of drug interaction may be primarily why all pregnant mothers drugs should be by prescription. And animal studies usually give a way bigger dose than humans would take. All Rights Reserved. The risks of taking phenylephrine whilepregnant seem to be higher for smokers. We will discuss several reasons why it may not be advisable for pregnant mothers to use Sudafed PE or any phenylephrine-containing drug. Otherwise, use of alternative treatment is advised whenever possible. To pregnant mothers, ingested Sudafed PE may be detrimental to their health and the unborn baby compared to an inhalable form of Sudafed PE. Dilated blood vessels can cause hemorrhoids. 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. Do not take any over-the-counter remedies that contain Aspirin or Ibuprofen or medications like them whil. Extended symptoms may mean you have a more serious issue. blurred vision. Instead of taking phenylephrine while pregnant, a light workout or walk can help clear your blocked nose. Pseudoephedrine can be combined with [] The risks. Phenylephrine (Vazculep) is also used to treat hypotension. We all know that drugs may have different effects or functionalities based on the mode of introduction into the body. You can even call the pharmacist and see what they say. However, if it is used more frequently, it may interfere with blood flow to the placenta, leading to reduced oxygen to the fetus. I am also a high risk pregnancy. All rights reserved. -Phenylephrine could cause constriction in uterine vessels (that are normally maximally dilated during pregnancy), reducing uterine blood flow, potentially causing fetal hypoxia. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified intravenous phenylephrine as a Pregnancy Category C drug. if you are really worried go to the doctor, but with my first child i was miserable and didn't take anything, with my second i took everything under the sun over the counter and she is completely healthy Before joining MomJunction, she worked as a research analyst with a leading multinational pharmaceutical company. Phenylephrine has also been used to treat temporary low blood pressure caused by anesthesia used during surgeries. It may also result in symptoms such as irritability, headache, nausea, and vomiting (7). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) recommend using pseudoephedrine during pregnancy. Heres all you need to know about the safety of using Mucinex while youre pregnant or breastfeeding. My doc said its ok too to take anything OTC now tht m this far along. So I know a little bit, enough to look it up :). Studies in animals have shown that phenylephrine might reduce milk supply. Due to the risks associated with it, if you are pregnant, you need to be more careful whenever you take any medication. Be sure to read the labels of any OTC medications you take so you know exactly what drugs youre using. If you use a decongestant, it may be best to choose one that has only one active ingredient (not one with many active ingredients). 3 Tips That Help My Patients Prevent Birth Defects, Birth Defects Prevention Month Series: Making Medication Decisions in Pregnancy Doesnt Have to Be Lonely, Help for the Holidays: Surviving Stress During Pregnancy, Eczema (Moderate-to-Severe)/Atopic Dermatitis, Pertussis/Tdap vaccine (Whooping Cough vaccine). Ensure that you regularly clean and change the water in the vaporizer to prevent growth of bacteria. - Know All About It! One has pseudoephedrine and the other has phenylephrine. Whats the difference between phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine? Drink water and other fluids throughout the day to clear congestion and keep your body and unborn baby healthy. Marion, D. W. Phenylephrine (systemic): Drug information, Neo-Synephrine Cold and Sinus Regular Strength phenylephrine hydrochloride spray. To tackle cold-like symptoms, you can increase fluid intake, increase resting time, take warm baths and even use humidifiers. Phenylephrine is a constituent of many over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Find out if Afrin is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. They are pretty knowledgeable about meds and effects. 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. 1,000 mg every four to six hours as needed ( maximum of 4,000 mg/day ) ; Step # 1 also. 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