Pseudoephedrine Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Afrinol, Allermed, Cenafed, Children's Dimetapp Decongestant Infant, Contac Cold, Decofed, ElixSure Congestion, Entex, Genaphed, Nexafed Nasal Decongestant, Novafed, Ridafed, Seudotabs, Silfedrine, Sudafed 12-Hour, Sudafed 24-Hour, Sudafed Children's Nasal Decongestant, Sudafed Congestion, SudoGest, SudoGest 12 Hour, Sudrine, Suphedrin, Suphedrine, Zephrex-D, nasofed

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 10, 2023.

Pseudoephedrine Pregnancy Warnings

Doses of 35 to 50 times the human daily dose to rabbits and rats, respectively, have not produced teratogenic effects. A case-controlled surveillance study reported an elevated relative risk (3.2) of gastroschisis with first-trimester use in 76 cases. The authors hypothesized vascular disruption as the etiology of gastroschisis. In a review of 229,101 deliveries to Michigan Medicaid patients, 940 first-trimester exposures to this drug were recorded and 1919 exposures anytime during pregnancy. A total of 37 birth defects were reported with first trimester exposure (40 expected) and included (observed/expected) 3/9 cardiovascular defects, 2 oral clefts, and 3/2 polydactyly. These researchers reviewed nine cases of abdominal wall defects in the 1980 through 1983 Medicaid data. Seven of the nine cases occurred in 3752 woman who had taken pseudoephedrine for a relative risk of 1.8. There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women.


AU TGA pregnancy category B2: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals are inadequate or may be lacking, but available data show no evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage.

This drug should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.

AU TGA pregnancy category: B2
US FDA pregnancy category: Not formally assigned

See references

Pseudoephedrine Breastfeeding Warnings

Based on limited data, it has been estimated that 0.5% to 0.7% of the mother's dose is excreted into breast milk over 24 hours. In 1 study, irritability was reported in up to 20% of infants. A 24% mean decrease in milk production was observed after a single 60 mg dose in 8 nursing mothers.

Caution is recommended

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-Single doses are unlikely to harm a nursing infant, but may cause irritability or disturbed sleep.
-Repeated doses may interfere with lactation in mothers who are having difficulties producing sufficient milk or in those whose lactation is not well established.

See references

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer