Hello ladies. I am currently 33 weeks pregnant and just getting over a terrible case of bronchitis and pink eye, and recently was told now I have a sinus infection. The doctor put me in amoxicillin (apparently one of the few antibiotics you can use during pregnancy) but it's not doing the job of clearing up my sinuses fast enough. I can hardly breathe ever since this started. I tried everything -- from "safe" prescribed nasal sprays to netti pots, whatever you can think of. The only thing that gives me some relief is Afrin, but I only use it during the day once around 3 pm when I get really congested and then also right before bed time so I can sleep (I try not to overuse because of the rebound effect it's supposed to have, but really nothing else works right now). My GYN said pretty much anything over the counter was Ok to use, but I've been reading about Afrin online and there is no clear answer on whether it's safe or not. Some sites say you can use it in moderation, while others say no.
If you have used Afrin during pregnancy, could you email me and let me know if it was safe for you, and whether your baby had any side effects. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that my baby will be ok.
Thank you ladies for your responses. I have tried the nasal rinse but it's not helping me. People swear by it, but I don't see any difference after using it. Could it be that I'm not using it properly? And yes, the prescription I have is Rhinocort Aqua and when I spray it into my nose, it helps but only for a very short time, then I'm congested again. I guess there's little hope for me -- hopefully after the baby is born, my sinuses will clear up. Thank you again!
My OB said that Afrin was safe to use during pregnancy. Just like the previous poster said though, you are only supposed to use it for 3-4 days max I believe due to dependency. I also do the saline nasal rinses, and they help a ton too! NeilMed makes a great one that looks like of like a squirt bottle, I even use their pediatric one on my boys.
I am not sure about using Afrin during pregnancy. I do know that my mom used Afrin (she has horrible allergies) and got relief from it, but it is addictive. Have you tried nasal rinses? Sort of the same as a neti pot, but easier to manage. I use Rhinocort spray during pregnancy and it is safe. Is that one of the prescription sprays you tried? Good luck. Allergies are no fun!!
A.
I used it a few times one day in my last pregancy. and my water broke that night. :) but i was also 38 weeks pregnant. so it was probably a coincidence. I had an upper respitory infection, so my OB even gave me afrin in the hospital while i was there (before and after I had the baby) It was okay to use too while breast feeding. I think you are totally fine to use it.
I took Afrin when I was in my third trimester. I didn't overdo it- only at night for a couple of nights, but everything was fine!
I've been addicted for about 15 years...or as my brother says, I'm addicted to breathing. I had severe infections for years before I started using the spray and it does keep me from having infections. Anyway, my 10 year old was born during these years and I used it 4-6 times per day every single day from conception through. She's a perfectly normal kid, no problems at all.
I had same situation as you, 33 wks prego & sinus infection but couldn't take antibiotic because I'm allergic. Anyway, doc gave me some kind of nasal spray & I'm pretty sure it was Affrin but I didn't take it. I'm wierd about things & refuse to spray anything up my nose. He did it once for me in office but after that didn't use it myself. My point is that since my doc gave it to me, I would assume it would be safe.
