Supplement Use During Pregnancy
Discuss any supplements you take or plan to take during your pregnancy with your doctor.
While prenatal vitamins are recommended to support levels of essential vitamins and minerals, like folate, other supplements may pose risks to your baby. They may also interact with medications youre already taking.
Note that just because something is labeled all-natural doesnt always mean its safe. Supplements are by the FDA in the same way as prescription drugs. Approach them with caution and discuss using with your doctor before starting any.
Reliving Allergy Symptoms Naturally
Even if you are given the go-ahead to take over the counter allergy medication during pregnancy, you may still suffer some mild allergy symptoms. Try some natural methods of reducing allergy symptoms that are safe for use in addition to allergy medications.
- Stay away from the cause of your allergy. Staying inside during the height of allergy season may not seem like the ideal choice, but if it means avoiding pollen and other outdoor allergens, you may consider spending more time indoors.
- Stock up on saline spray. Saline spray is nothing more than salt water. You can use saline spray during pregnancy to loosen nasal congestion in addition to taking allergy medications.
- Try to move a little more during the day. Believe it or not, exercise is a great natural treatment for nasal congestion and stuffiness. Make sure to talk with your obstetrician about exercising during pregnancy before choosing a new activity as not all exercise is safe during pregnancy.
Allergy symptoms during pregnancy are common and some allergy medications are completely safe for use during pregnancy. However, you need to talk with your physician before taking allergy medications or any other medication while pregnant. There are over the counter and prescription medications associated with negative side effects and fetal harm, so dont take anything unless your doctor knows and youve discussed the safety of the medication.
What Are Some Alternatives For Treating Allergies While Pregnant
Even though for the most part Benadryl and many over-the-counter allergy medicines are possibly safe during pregnancy, natural alternatives may be something to explore as well. Some women may try to take no medications unless absolutely necessary during pregnancy. Medical professionals might also recommend trying alternatives to medicine first. One non-medication option for allergies is the use of a neti pot. With a neti pot, individuals can clear allergens and irritants from their nasal passage. Its also called sinus irrigation. Other allergy prevention strategies can include avoiding triggers or wearing a mask when certain allergen levels are high, or air quality is low. Some pregnant women may opt to stay indoors on days when there are high levels of pollen for example.
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Safety Of Antihistamines During Pregnancy
Although pruritus is not a life-threatening medical condition, it can be extremely troublesome for pregnant women. Because of potential effects on the fetus, the treatment of pruritus in pregnancy requires prudent consideration. At one point, the physician will have to use the antihistamines and weigh the benefits against the teratogenic effects of the antihistamines. Physicians must decide whether to select an older, better-studied antihistamine, thought to be relatively safe during pregnancy, or a newer agent that has less adverse effect on quality of life but has a potential teratogenic effect.
Various recommendations and studies favor the use of first generation antihistamines for use during pregnancy. They point out that these antihistamines were in use for a longer period of time and were more widely used during pregnancy. More data are available about the various effects of the first generation antihistamines in pregnancy. Moreover a few of the second generation agents have been reported to be associated with an increased incidence of certain congenital malformations.
In 1993, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program Working Group on Asthma and Pregnancy recommended the first-generation agents chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine as the antihistamines of choice during pregnancy, based on duration of availability as well as reassuring animal and human data.
Safety Of Benadryl During Pregnancy
Youre not alone in seeking allergy relief while pregnant. Up to 15 percent of women in the United States report taking antihistamines like Benadryl while they were pregnant. Medical research shows that Benadryl is most likely safe for your growing baby.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that Benadryl is in a group of antihistamine drugs called H. This group has been tested by many research studies and found to be safe during pregnancy.
Other brand-name allergy meds in this family of antihistamines include Claritin and Zyrtec. Doxylamine, another H antihistamine commonly used to help with sleeplessness in pregnancy, is considered safe. You may know it by its brand name, Unisom.
Another kind of allergy antihistamine drug is called H. This kind has been tested by fewer medical studies and may not be safe during pregnancy. OTC antihistamines in this group include Pepcid, Zantac, and Tagamet these should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
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What Is The Best Allergy Non Drowsy Medicine
- Leukotriene/Leikast receptor antagonists. It is a leukotriene inhibitor.
- Antihistamines. Antihistamines are one of the best allergy medications that do not cause drowsiness.
- Steroid injections or pills. Steroid or pill injections are not intended for long-term use due to their harmful side effects and potential negative health consequences for the patient.
- Reference
Heartburn Or Indigestion During Pregnancy
Heartburn, also known as indigestion or acid reflux, is common during pregnancy for a number of reasons including hormonal changes. To treat heartburn during pregnancy try the following:
- Avoid spicy foods
- Try not to eat late
- Sleep with an extra pillow
⢠TUMS during pregnancy
The safest medicinal option for treating heartburn during pregnancy is calcium carbonate containing preparations such as TUMS.
⢠Antacids during pregnancy
Some antacids are safe for treating heartburn during pregnancy. But products containing sodium bicarbonate should be avoided, as they can affect the blood pH and fluid balance. It is also thought that magnesium antacids can affect the baby.
⢠Gaviscon during pregnancy
Medicines such as Gaviscon that contain alginates are safe to take during pregnancy, and can be especially useful for heartburn caused by the pressure of the baby on the stomach. These medicines form a raft on top of the stomach contents that stops the acid from going back up the food pipe.
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Safe Yeast Infection Remedies During Pregnancy
The American Pregnancy Association recommends vaginal creams and suppositories but warns that not all are safe during pregnancy. So, consult your doctor. Most likely, your doctor will recommend:
- Clotrimazole
- Terconazole
It may feel like navigating a minefield to understand which medications are safe to take during pregnancy, but the efforts become worth it when you meet your healthy baby for the first time. Be careful and consciousness with over-the-counter medications during pregnancy, and ask your doctor if you have any questions. And remember to get your flu shot from your AWH Dallas practitioner.
What Is The Best Allergy Medicine For Pet Allergies
Cassava should be administered daily for allergies. Yucca Intensive, a liquid concentrate, is an effective product that is safe for cats and dogs with allergies. It can also be given along with your pet’s food or applied directly to itchy skin areas. Shampoos and conditioners relieve allergy symptoms.
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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.
Things To Consider Before You Consume Otc Medications
Here are a few things to consider before going for a pill, especially when you are pregnant.
You may get to read a lot of conflicting information on the safety of medications. But this doesnt mean you need to be afraid of using any medicine. If your doctor has prescribed medication and you are not sure about its safety, talk to them to reaffirm about the drugs safety.
What medications have you been avoiding or avoided during pregnancy? Let us know in the comment section below.
This post is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for a doctors consultation. Do not use any medication without talking to your doctor.
References:
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Drug Safety During Pregnancy
According to the Food and Drug Administration , no medicines are considered completely safe during pregnancy. This is because most medications have not been tested in pregnant women. Pregnant women are, naturally, reluctant to sign up for medication safety studies.
Therefore, the FDA has created pregnancy registries that help inform clinicians about the relative safety of specific medications. These registries contain observational information that healthcare providers have gleaned from observing their patients taking medications during pregnancy.
Your healthcare provider can use this information, along with informative prescription labeling, to help you decide whether a medication is right for you.
It is your healthcare provider’s responsibility to talk to you about the risks and benefits of continuing, stopping, or starting a medication while pregnant. Because every woman is different, these risks and benefits must be gauged on an individual basis.
Every pregnancy is different. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of medications for you.
The newer prescription labeling system replaced the old system of putting drugs into categories labeled A, B, C, D, and X. Newer prescription labels provide more detailed information about the potential risks to expectant mothers, developing fetuses, and breastfeeding babies.
What Is The Strongest Over The Counter Allergy Medicine For Adults
Claritin contains a second-generation antihistamine, loratadine, also known as pseudoephedrine. That’s why you have to look behind the counter of the pharmacy to find it. It is a powerful antihistamine that should relieve all of your usual allergy symptoms.
Best allergy medicationWhich over-the-counter allergy medication is best? Best over-the-counter medications for most symptoms: The first line of defense against constipation, runny nose, and sneezing is with one of the newer, less sedating antihistamines: cetirizine , fexofenadine , and loratadine . or Alavert.). ).What is the strongest allergy medicine?Allegra makes a drug that has a reputation as the best o
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What Is The Best Allergy Medication For Kids
Nasonex and Veramist are approved for use in children over 2 years of age, and Flonase can be used in children over 4 years of age. Antihistamine nasal sprays are another option for children and include Pathanase for children older than 6 years and Astelin and Astepro for children 12 years and older.
Blocked Nose During Pregnancy
If you have a blocked nose during pregnancy, steam inhalations should provide some relief from nasal congestion. You could also try a saline nasal spray to clear away the mucus in the nose.
⢠Nasal or sinus decongestants
Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, xylometazoline and oxymetazoline should definitely be avoided during pregnancy. These have blood vessel constricting effects that could potentially restrict blood supply to the placenta, or cause problems for women with a history of pre-eclampsia.
⢠Lemsip when pregnant
Lemsip is not advised during pregnancy. Paracetamol is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy, but the safety of pseudoephedrine has not been established and some studies have suggested that use of pseudoephedrine in the first trimester may be associated with birth defects, so Lemsip should be avoided.
⢠Strepsils in pregnancy
Strepsils are not generally thought to be harmful to take when you’re pregnant. However, as the safety of Strepsils in pregnancy has not been fully studied, you may prefer to try natural remedies first.
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How Do I Get Rid Of Congestion While Pregnant
To ease congestion and other symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis:
Allergy Medications For Pregnancy And Children
Choosing the safest allergy relief medication can be overwhelming, especially if you’re pregnant or looking for the best allergy medicine for kids.
Here you’ll find answers to your questions about allergy pills and common allergy medicines, including if you can take allergy medications during pregnancy and which allergy medications are safe for children.
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Is Benadryl Safe To Take While Pregnant
When youre pregnant, you may have questions about the safety of certain medications, including medications available over-the-counter. Many over-the-counter medications are considered safe during pregnancy, while others arent. One medicine commonly used is Benadryl. However, is Benadryl safe to take while pregnant? In general, can you take allergy medicine while pregnant? Benadryl is a brand-name allergy medication, and its classified as an antihistamine. The active ingredient in Benadryl is called diphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine can help with symptoms of not only allergies but also a cold and hay fever. Some of the symptoms people might use Benadryl for can include itchy, watery eyes and nose, a cough and sneezing. In some cases, the active ingredient in Benadryl is also used to help people who struggle with nausea, vomiting and motion sickness. Benadryl and other similar allergy medicines are available as liquids, tablets or capsules.
These Surprising Safer Alternatives May Be A Better Choice
Mothers-to-be get headaches and upset stomachs just like everyone else. So its not surprising that most pregnant women have used over-the-counter medications. In fact, some data suggest that, overall, women are actually more likely to use certain medicationsincluding cough and cold drugs and acetaminophen after they become pregnant.
Theres a misperception that if a drug is available over-the-counter, that its approved by the Food and Drug Administration, so it must be safe for everyone, including pregnant women, Allen Mitchell, M.D. professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health and Medicine, said. Even doctors may think this is the case. But some OTC drugs have been shown to pose risks to the developing fetus at different stages of pregnancy.
To help you and your doctor make more informed choices about which medications to take, weve identified 10 common ingredients used in OTC drugs that are risky for pregnant women, as well as safer alternatives.
Even then, you should use alternatives judiciously, and only as advised by your health care provider. Experts refer to safer medications because for 98 percent of prescription and OTC drugs, there simply isnt enough data to say for sure that a drug is entirely safe to take during pregnancy. Due to ethical concerns, most FDA-approved medicines have not been tested in pregnant women.
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What Is The Best Allergy Medicine For Cats With Allergies
Top 6 Cures For Cat Allergy 1 #1 Claritin 24 Hour Allergy Free Sleepiness RediTabs. 2 #2 Boiron Rhinallergy Homeopathic medicine for allergies. 3 tablets Kirkland Signature Allerclear Loratadine, which do not cause drowsiness. 4 tablets for children No. 6 for the relief of allergies 24 hours of dissolving Zyrtec with cetirizine.
What Is The Best Over The Counter Medication
- naproxen. Naproxen is effective at reducing inflammation, fever, and pain in many conditions, but it can have serious side effects.
- ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is also effective for various inflammatory diseases as well as fever and pain.
- Acetylsalicylic acid.
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