Is it ok for my pregnant wife to take sudafed for a cold?

Not advised: Sudafed is a category c medication, indicating possible problems. It is commonly prescribed but antihistamines like Claritin (loratadine) or zyrtec would be safer. In any event, she should avoid any extraneous meds during the first trimester.

Category c medicatio: Sudafed is a pregnancy category c medication which means that this medication may not be safe in pregnancy, although the full risks are not known. For nasal congestion in pregnancy, i recommend rhinocort aq and singulair, (montelukast) which are both pregnancy category b medications available by prescription.For over the counter medications, ask the pharmacist for the pregnancy category a or b. Try sinus wash.

Yes, mostly: Category c drug = may use if benefits > risk. Ask your pregnancy doctor for a list of all things she might use during pregnancy safely. Always avoid drugs in 1st 12 weeks (when most baby development occurs). Best practice is lowest needed dose + shortest possible time. Colds are miserable but short. Kleenex always is safe. See: safefetus.Com.