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I had a sinus infection when I was pregnant and the dr. said she didn't recommend sudafed during pregnancy.

@autumnlove: Don't give me any crazy ideas! DH said I missed my calling as a pharmacist... Unfortunately, I would have to basically start college all over now if I changed career paths.

Sudafed contains the medication PSUEDOephedrine. However, since this has been made available only behind the counter (due to its use in making Meth), manufactures have made a new product called Sudafed PE which contains a similar but much less effective medication called phenylephrine. The PE is very small usually on the box so most people refer to it as just Sudafed. Thus starts the confusion.

If the person telling you to take Sudafed meant the phenylephrine variety that is available on the self in the store, the you can take what you already have. If they meant the PSUEDOephedrine version, then you would need to get that from behind the pharmacy counter. However, the only way to know which one they meant is to ask them. Additionally, many prescribers don't realize there is a difference. As a pharmacist I have had many doctors/nurses not know that there was a difference. It can be very frustrating. Sorry I'm not much help.