Many people with allergies take antihistamines for relief. Studies show that several over-the-counter allergy medications are safe to use during pregnancy, including Show
Newer antihistamines, such as cetirizine and loratadine, also may be safe. There also is a corticosteroid nasal spray that is safe to use during pregnancy. But one of the most common decongestants, pseudoephedrine, has been linked to a small risk of abdominal wall birth defects. Do not use pseudoephedrine during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Check with your ob-gyn before taking any over-the-counter allergy medication. Published: February 2021 Last reviewed: February 2021 Copyright 2022 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information. This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOG’s complete disclaimer. Available in the form of popular over-the-counter (OTC) medications, pseudoephedrine products frequently make pharmacist-recommended lists as top sellers, alongside acid reducers, acne treatments, and athlete’s foot creams. People seek out pseudoephedrine products like Sudafed, Mucinex, and Claritin to provide relief for common ailments such as stuffy nose and sinus pain. What’s more, these OTC medicines fulfill a vital niche. These off-the-shelf medications, which do not require a prescription, provide symptomatic relief for an estimated 60 million people who would not otherwise seek treatment, according to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA). Also, reports the CHPA, as more prescription allergy medicines have become OTC medicines, people have shifted toward using these more affordable products. The number of allergy sufferers who use OTCs like pseudoephedrine had gone from 66 percent in 2009 to 75 percent in 2015. As with other medications of the prescription and OTC variety, negative consequences can result when they are not used as directed. This is particularly the case with pseudoephedrine products. A woman who uses decongestant medications like pseudoephedrine while in the first trimester of pregnancy could potentially raise the risk of her unborn child experiencing birth defects, according to this study. Read on to learn more about the specific dangers pseudoephedrine can pose to women who are pregnant. What is Pseudoephedrine? Pseudoephedrine is comprised of stimulant compounds and is of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes. This medication can narrow blood vessels to decrease swelling and congestion. It also shrinks swollen nasal mucous membranes, which is why it is employed as a decongestant. Pseudoephedrine products provide temporary relief for stuffy nose and sinus pain caused by the common cold, flu, hay fever, and bronchitis. Pseudoephedrine comes as itself or in combination with other medications. It is also available as a liquid solution, tablet, and as 12- and 24-hour extended-release tablets. Regular formulations of pseudoephedrine tablets or liquid should be taken every four to six hours. The 12-hour release tablets should be taken every 12 hours, and you should not take more than one dose of the 24-hour extended-release variation. According to MedlinePlus, the brand names for pseudoephedrine medications include the following:
Some Examples of Combination Pseudoephedrine Products Include:
The Dangers of PseudoephedrinePseudoephedrine has stimulant effects. Recreational users report that it produces excitable, hyperactive feelings. Because it is a stimulant, it increases the heart rate and blood pressure. However, pseudoephedrine carries a low risk of dependence, and users are unlikely to experience withdrawal symptoms when they cease use. That does not mean pseudoephedrine does not come without uncomfortable side effects. They can incluvde:
Pseudoephedrine Can Also Produce More Serious Side Effects Like:
It should be noted that food and drinks that contain large amounts of caffeine can make these side effects worse. Pseudoephedrine Dangers For ChildrenNon-prescription cough and cold combination products can produce serious side effects or death in young children. Special care should be taken when administering pseudoephedrine or pseudoephedrine combination products to them. Children younger than 4 should not take pseudoephedrine medicines. Extended-release pseudoephedrine tablets should not be given to children younger than age 12. Should a child between the ages of 4 and 11 need to take a pseudoephedrine medication, parents or guardians should use caution and follow the package directions carefully. The Dangers of Taking Pseudoephedrine While PregnantThere is a debate about whether pseudoephedrine poses a danger to pregnant women who take the medication. MedlinePlus, a resource provided by the National Institute of Health, states that pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking it. However, a small study did reveal that OTC decongestants containing pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine were individually linked to birth defects of the digestive tract, ear, and heart. The study looked at babies born with birth defects from 1993 to 2010 and included interviews of 12,700 moms of those babies. “The associations we identified involved defects that generally affect less than 1 per 1,000 infants. Some of them may require surgery, but not all are life-threatening,” stated one of the study’s authors who was quoted in Reuters. However, the cases of birth defects caused by decongestants taken in the first trimester are rare as in a 2.7 in 1,000 chance, according to Parents.com. The Pharmacy Times states that because pseudoephedrine narrows the blood vessels, it can reduce blood flow to the uterus, which may be responsible for the presence of birth defects in the first trimester of pregnancy. Taking Pseudoephedrine While BreastfeedingFor women who are taking pseudoephedrine while breastfeeding, a small amount of the medication is excreted in the breast milk. The biggest effect of breastfeeding while on pseudoephedrine is that it can decrease milk production, according to the Pharmacy Times. The bottom line is that if you are taking pseudoephedrine or are considering taking pseudoephedrine, use caution and consult your doctor. Taking Medications While Pregnant and Professional TreatmentAbusing pseudoephedrine by itself or taking it with other substances like alcohol requires professional addiction treatment, for the safety of you and your baby. Substance abuse treatment can provide a multilevel solution to drug misuse and addiction. This is especially the case with substances such as alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, prescription, and OTC drugs like pseudoephedrine. A comprehensive treatment program includes medical detoxification, where the substance is removed from your body, and counseling and therapy via a residential treatment or outpatient program. Finally, after treatment is completed, we can connect you to a recovery community and resources that can support you via through an alumni program. Can you use Claritin and Sudafed together?Interactions between your drugs
No interactions were found between Claritin and Sudafed Congestion. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Can I take Claritin and Sudafed sinus together?Interactions between your drugs
No interactions were found between Claritin and Sudafed PE Congestion.
Can you take Sudafed and allergy medicine together?You can take Sudafed and Zyrtec together, as long as it's safe for you to take either one alone. Sudafed and Zyrtec can usually be taken alongside other allergy medications, as long as you avoid duplicating antihistamines or decongestants.
Is Sudafed harmful during pregnancy?Stuffy nose and sinus pressure
Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are available over the counter as Sudafed and are safe for many women to use during pregnancy. However, women who have high blood pressure should not take pseudoephedrine without first talking to a doctor.
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Can you take claritin and sudafed together while pregnant
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