Spotlight: Archives

Every month, the subjects in Prescrire’s Spotlight.

2016 : 1 | 30 | 60

In the June issue of Prescrire International: decongestants during pregnancy - risks for the unborn child

FREE DOWNLOAD Sympathomimetic decongestants provoke serious, albeit rare, adverse effects. In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the fetus is exposed to the same adverse effects as the mother. These drugs should quite simply never be used, including via the nasal route.
Full text available for free download.

Summary

  • The decongestants that are sometimes proposed as a treatment for ear, nose and throat symptoms are sympathomimetic vasoconstrictors.
     
  • In addition to the risk of cardiovascular events and neurological disorders, sympathomimetic decongestants have teratogenic potential, albeit weak, when taken during the first trimester of pregnancy, probably through disruption of the vascular system of the embryo and the pregnant woman.
     
  • In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the fetus is exposed to the same adverse effects as the mother.

Full text available for free download.

 ©Prescrire 1 June 2016

"Sympathomimetic decongestants during pregnancy: risks for the unborn child" Prescrire Int 2016; 25 (172): 153. (Pdf, free)
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See also:

Vasoconstrictive decongestants:
the authorities' dithering
leaves patients in danger
Prescrire Int 2013:
22 (136): 72.
Pdf, subscribers only

Vasoconstrictor: neurological
and cardiovascular
adverse effects
Prescrire Int 2003:
12 (63): 21.
Pdf, subscribers only