Can You Take Allergy Medicine While Pregnant

Common Causes Of Hay Fever

You may feel the symptoms of hay fever at specific times of the year, when certain triggers, or allergens, are in the air. This is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis. The allergens might include pollens from trees, grasses, weeds, fungi or moulds. If you experience year-round symptoms known as perennial allergic rhinitis your triggers might include common household allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, fungi or moulds.

Safe Otc Allergy Meds To Take During Pregnancy

These over-the-counter allergy meds have no known harmful effects during pregnancy when you take them according to the package directions.;

• Zyrtec

Note: Do not take the ‘D’ forms of these medications in your first trimester.

Check with your doctor before taking any medicines during your pregnancy. Be especially cautious in the first trimester, a crucial time for your baby’s development.

How To Take Antihistamines

Take your medicine as advised by the pharmacist or doctor, or as described in the leaflet that comes with it.

Before taking an antihistamine, you should know:

• how to take it including whether it needs to be taken with water or food, or how to use it correctly;
• how much to take ; this can vary depending on things such as your age and weight
• when to take it; including how many times a day you can take it and;when to take it
• how long to take it for; some types can be used for a long time, but some are only recommended for a few days
• what to do if you miss a dose or take too much

The advice varies depending on the exact medicine you’re taking. If you’re not sure how to take your medicine, ask a pharmacist.

Also Check: Can Guaifenesin Make Asthma Worse

What Medicines Should You Avoid During Pregnancy

Some medicines are known to increase the chance of birth defects or other problems. But sometimes, stopping a medicine has greater risk to the mother and the baby than continuing to take the medicine. Talk to your doctor about any medicines you take if you are thinking about having a baby or if you are pregnant.

Some of the over-the-counter medicines that increase the chances of birth defects are:

• Bismuth subsalicylate .
• Phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, which are decongestants. Avoid medicines with these ingredients during the first trimester.
• Cough and cold medicines that contain guaifenesin. Avoid medicines with this ingredient during the first trimester.
• Pain medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen and naproxen . The risk of birth defects with these medicines is low.

Some of the prescription medicines that increase the chances of birth defects are:

What Allergy Medicines Can You Take While Pregnant

What allergy medicines can you take while pregnant

Are allergy medicines safe to take while Im pregnant or breastfe?

http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/allergies-key-qampa.html

Pregnant women should always consult their doctor before using any type of allergy medication. While some allergy drugs are considered safe, others may pose a risk to the fetus. If you are trying to have a baby, you should talk to your doct

What are acceptable allergy/cold medicines to take while pregnant?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080607193222AAIQuhe

You should really ask your doctor this question for the most accurate information. Dont rely on web sites when it comes to taking medication while pregnant. You will find contradicting advice and some web sites that have wrong information

Can I take any type of allergy medicine while pregnant??

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090711073711AAtoh6Y

For the time being, you can safely take Benadryl, which will help somewhat with the itching and things. But for a more long term solution your doctor will have to decide if they want to put you on Claritin or Zyrtec or something similar. Th

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Can I Prevent Allergies

While people with allergies cannot prevent the condition, they can try to avoid or reduce exposure to allergens or triggers. Pollen is a common allergen in Australia, and can be hard to avoid, but to minimise your exposure you could try to:

• stay indoors where possible during pollen season, on windy days, or after thunderstorms
• avoid activities that expose you to pollen, such as mowing grass
• shower as soon as you can after youve been exposed to pollen
• switch your car air-conditioning setting to use re-circulated air when pollen levels are high

Allergy Medications To Avoid

While most antihistamines are safe to take during pregnancy, some other medications often used to treat allergy symptoms may not be. Expectant moms should be mindful of combination allergy formulas that include other ingredients unsafe for pregnant women, like aspirin or other NSAIDs, and some cough suppressants or expectorants.;

You should also take care to avoid allergy medications with decongestants like pseudoephedrine , says Dr. Jones, unless your physician or midwife has approved it.;

Although decongestants are unlikely to cause problems with the fetus, they can cause an increase in blood pressure in certain individuals, Dr. Jones explains.;

There is some research suggesting a slightly higher risk of birth defects associated with pseudoephedrine, although so far, those possible risks have only been identified during the first trimester.

That means Sudafed may be a limited-use option for women in their second and third trimesters who do not have any previous hypertension issues .

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Prevention Of Allergies During Pregnancy

Yes, prevention will help you avoid allergies. The most important thing is to isolate yourself from allergens in all possible ways . To do this, you need to adhere to a strict diet and carefully monitor the environment: cleanliness in the house, what, when and where it blooms, where you can walk and where you cant.

According to this diet, you should not eat foods such as:

• citrus fruits;

• dried fruit compote without raisins;
• tea.

If you eat only what is allowed, then the diet turns out to be extremely meager, which is very, very wrong during pregnancy since the child needs a large amount of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, which he or she will receive only with a balanced mothers diet. What to do? The answer is simple and obvious. If you know exactly what foods are causing your allergies, then simply eliminate them from your diet. If you dont have allergies, then just eat in moderation and avoid fatty, salty, starchy foods, fried, smoked, sweet, and high-calorie foods. Starting from the 22nd week, it is especially recommended to avoid everything that was listed in the previous sentence.

How else can you exclude contact with an allergen? There are a number of simple rules and if you follow them, you and your child will be safe.

If you smoke, then its time to give up this bad habit. You should also avoid secondhand smoke, i.e. inhalation of tobacco smoke. Limit yourself in alcohol and take care of yourself from all sorts of stress.

Safe Medications And Natural Remedies

Apart from all the medications mentioned above, there are also many options in the form of natural home remedies. Sometimes the symptoms of discomfort that are present during pregnancy can be relieved just by changing daily habits. Even just by doing activities that are positive for your health.

If you adopt a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, then you wont have to resort to excessive use of drugs. Many of these jewels of guidance are present since ancient times and they do work in most cases. We dare you to try them.

Of course, its also essential that you follow a proper healthy diet and remain as active as you can. Staying healthy during pregnancy is essential as it diminishes the symptoms that lead you to the use of medications. Also, having a set schedule to sleep, relax and rest is vital to your health.

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Main Findings From This Study

• Scientific research suggests that using most types of antihistamines during pregnancy is not linked to birth defects.
• Out of 54 studies examined, 9 studies showed potential links between certain antihistamines and certain birth defects. Researchers need to study these potential links further.
• Researchers found many studies on antihistamine medications typically used to treat allergies, asthma, or nausea and vomiting .
• Examples of H1-receptor antagonists include diphenhydramine , dimenhydrinate , loratadine , and cetirizine .

• Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant and you have taken any medicine or are thinking of taking any medicine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as dietary or herbal products.
• Pregnant women should not stop or start taking any type of medication that they need without first talking with a doctor.
• If you are planning a pregnancy and are using any medications, please talk to your doctor about which medications are necessary and should be continued.

How To Safely Treat Allergies During Pregnancy

While it would be best to avoid allergens that bother you, thats not always a possibility. Many pregnant women and their providers prefer to start with a non-pharmaceutical treatment plan whenever possible. Dr. Janelle Luk, medical director and co-founder of Generation Next Fertility in New York City, suggests an over-the-counter saline nasal spray.

Dr. Luk also recommends physical activity to reduce nasal inflammation. In addition, she says patients with a stuffy nose might be able to sleep better if they elevate the head of the bed by 30 to 45 degrees during sleep.

However, sometimes those non-pharmaceutical options just dont do the trick, and you need something stronger to ease your misery. In that case, there are several options that are safe to try.

For moderate to severe allergies, your physician may recommend a nonprescription corticosteroid spray or an oral antihistamine, Dr. Luk says. Some nasal spray options include Rhinocort Allergy, Flonase, and Nasonex.

For oral antihistamines, Staunton says she recommends Claritin or Zyrtec because of their good safety history. Both are rated pregnancy category B by the FDA. This means that controlled studies in animals have shown no adverse effects to the developing fetus.

Benadryl is considered fairly safe during pregnancy, according to the CDC. However, Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion is not safe for pregnant women because it contains phenylephrine.

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Can You Take Allergy Medications While Pregnant

When youre pregnant, you want to safeguard not only your health but also the health of your baby. So, if you wrestle with allergies, you may be wondering about the safety of your allergy medications. Heres what you need to know so that you and your doctor can create an effective allergy management plan for you.

Which Drugs Are Safe Or Unsafe

Many women must continue taking medically necessary prescription drugs throughout their pregnancies, as failing to do so would endanger both mother and baby. But it’s smart to be concerned about the effects of medication on a growing fetus.

Different medications carry different risks. The importance of maternal comfort is also an important consideration. Allergies can make some women miserable, and medication may be needed so that allergy symptoms are not taking over their lives.

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Taking Hay Fever Medication In Pregnancy

If youre pregnant you should always try and seek advice from your GP or pharmacist before you take any sort of medication. Not all medications can be taken safely during pregnancy, as some may affect the development and growth of the baby.;

If you have mild hay fever, or dont experience symptoms, its best to avoid taking medication, as its not necessary. Before taking medication there are some preventative measures that can be taken to avoid your exposure to pollen.;

Allergy Medicine While Pregnant

Environmental allergens like cat dander, pollen fungus and dust are present all around us. Being sensitive to any of these allergens can lead to allergic reactions that can cause eye watering, sniffing and sneezing. During pregnancy, these allergic symptoms can become better or get worse. If this happens, then questions like “Is my baby going to be affected” or “Can I take allergy medicine while pregnant” can come into your mind.

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Choosing An Allergy Medication

Once you know which medications are safe to take, youll have to figure out which one will work the best for you. If your allergies are chronic or environmental , you may want to find an antihistamine you can take every day, such as Claritin or Zyrtec.

Seasonal allergies can also be treated this way, but if your symptoms are very infrequent, Benadryl is a good, super-safe choice.

Benadryl can make you excessively drowsy, so be careful of when you take it; if youre not sure how it will affect you, dont take a dose before driving. If it makes you sleepy, save your dose for the evening hours, before bedtime.

If you suffer from sinus pain or pressure during allergies, one of the nasal steroid sprays can be a good option. Pregnant women often end up with excess nasal congestion anyway, thanks to an increase in fluid and blood volume ; a nasal steroid can help relieve some of these additional symptoms.

Allergies During Pregnancy And Their Effect On The Fetus

We all know well that the fetus is closely connected with the mother, and therefore everything that happens to her one way or another will affect the forming or already formed fetus. Allergies are no exception. But how does it occur?

Wise nature has provided women with a protective mechanism, namely the production of the hormone cortisol, which actively counteracts allergies. Therefore, according to statistics, during pregnancy, many women experience allergic reactions. But everything is individual. Some pregnant women simply have a decrease in the seizure strength, and others, on the contrary, experience stronger seizures.

There are times when a woman gets an allergy during pregnancy. This is absolutely natural: there are great changes in the body. Allergies can be caused by prolonged contact with the allergen or contact with too much of the allergen. Also, allergies can occur due to the so-called antigenic loads frequent toxicosis, allergenic food, a large amount of carbohydrates in the diet.

Some of the most likely food allergens include:

• citrus fruits;

Also, allergies can be provoked by:

• household chemicals;
• perfumes and cosmetics;
• plants of the Asteraceae family .

Now lets review the effect of allergies on pregnancy, and more specifically on the fetus. The thing is that allergens do not leak through the placenta into the childs body. But the babys condition is influenced by other factors associated with allergies.

These factors include:

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What Is The Best Allergy Medicine For Kids

The best allergy medicine for kids depends on your child’s age, symptoms, and other health conditions. If your child is diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, treatment can include nasal sprays, such as cromolyn sodium, or oral antihistamines, such as loratadine , fexofenadine or cetirizine for mild or episodic symptoms.3 Zyrtec has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for children older than 6 months of age. Claritin and Allegra have been approved for use in children age 2 and older. Zyrtec, Allegra and Claritin are available in a liquid syrup formulation that is specially dosed for children.

For children with severe allergy symptoms that are not relieved by oral medications, a steroidal nasal spray may be considered. Nasacort, Flonase and Nasonex have all been approved by the FDA for children over the age of 2 years. The dose is typically one spray per nostril, once daily. Nosebleeds are a common side effect of these nasal sprays but are usually nothing to worry about. Coating the insides of your child’s nostrils with a saline gel, like Ayr, may help prevent this side effect.

If you are looking for an allergy medicine for a child of toddler age or older who is experiencing itchy eyes, consider topical allergy eye drops, such as olopatadine , for kids 3 years and older, or ketotifen , for children 2 years and older. These are antihistamine medications that can relieve itchy eyes due to allergens for up 12 hours.

Prescription Medications Youre Already Taking

Before pregnancy, you may already be taking prescription medications for thyroid issues, high blood pressure, or other conditions. Speak with your doctor about continuing these medications, especially if youre already pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near future.

In many cases, you may safely take your medication during pregnancy. Sometimes you may need to either adjust dosages or switch to another medication thats considered safer for you and baby.

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Can I Take Allergy Medication While Pregnant

Ah, allergies. Unless you have them, very few people can appreciate how awful they can be. So if you need to take allergy medication during pregnancy you can imagine how uptight some people get about it and wonder why you dont just suffer through it. To these people I say, suck my snot.

Not unlike cold medication, the trick here is to take medication that has been around a long time. Nobody has ever raised their hand and said, use me and my unborn child as guinea pigs to test your fine medication, my good sir. so all the data has to be collected over years and years of medical findings to see if kids are growing seven belly buttons from a medication.

The ones that have been deemed low risk are Diphenhydramine and Loratadine. Some sites say Pseudoephedrine is okay if youre out of your first trimester, but a few other sites say to stay away from it all together. Im not sure if there is merit to this or they are just giving it the thumbs down on account of the first trimester iffyness.

Another interesting tidbit I found is that many women are prescribed antihistamines for morning sickness. Who knew?

There are quite a few non-medical, natural remedies out there as well.

As for nasal sprays, only saline nasal sprays have been given the thumbs up. Everybody gets really pissy about the good stuff like Otrivin because even though they havent be shown to cause birth defects, they havent be shown not to either.

Gesundheit.