What Kind Of Allergy Medicine Can Pregnant Women Take

Avoid Certain Allergy Medicine While Pregnant

There are a number of medications that are not safe to take during pregnancy. First among them are oral decongestants.

Oral decongestants are best avoided altogether during the first trimester because of an uncertain risk of several rare birth defects, says Ciara Staunton, a family nurse practitioner and owner of Staunton Primary Care in Cincinnati. However, Sudafed , which is locked up behind the pharmacy counter, can be used in the second and third trimesters in women without hypertension.

But Staunton warns that Sudafed-PE , the over-the-counter option, should never be taken during pregnancy. It is less effective than pseudoephedrine. But more importantly, its safety for pregnant women is questionable.

Ms. Staunton also recommends against using any herbal therapies during pregnancy. In the United States and most other countries, herbal medicines are minimally regulated and not monitored for adverse events.

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While many women report that their allergies improve or disappear during pregnancy, some still experience symptoms. If you’re among them, you should know that there plenty of ways to relieve symptoms both with and without medication.

Your best defense against allergy symptoms is to avoid the triggers that cause them. Of course, you can’t control what happens outside, but you can reduce your exposure in your home by wearing a mask when you dust or vacuum, keeping pets out of your bedroom, and protecting your mattress and pillows with special covers to keep out dust mites. Using a dehumidifier to keep the air in your home under 50 percent humidity can also help fend off mites and mold.

It’s always best to avoid taking any type of medication during pregnancy, if possible. That said, if allergies or nasal congestion due to upper-respiratory infection are keeping you from sleeping, eating, or participating fully in your life, your doctor is likely to consider Claritin to help you cope with your symptoms. Rest assured that after years of research on animals and humans, Claritin has been classified as safe to use during pregnancy. Antihistamines like Chlor-Trimeton and Benadryl are also deemed safe for pregnant women to take.

What Medicines Can I Take For Allergies During Pregnancy

Women should be very cautious when taking medications during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.

Its important to talk with a doctor before using allergy medicine while pregnant. Work together to find an appropriate balance for the medication and symptom control.

Your doctor may first recommend ways to reduce symptoms that dont involve medications. Strategies include allergy proofing your home, avoiding allergy triggers, or using a saline nasal spray, nasal irrigation or nasal strips.

• Oral antihistamines treat nasal and eye allergy symptoms of allergic rhinitis. It is best to take them after the first trimester.
• Loratadine and cetirizine are second-generation oral antihistamines. They are considered safe for pregnancy, according to multiple studies. They do not cause drowsiness unlike first-generation oral antihistamines .

Avoid using antihistamines combined with a decongestant during pregnancy. Research is ongoing on the impact of these medications to mom and baby.

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Heartburn And Acid Reflux

OTC antacids containing alginic acid, aluminum, magnesium, and calcium are generally safe during pregnancy:

• aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide
• calcium carbonate

For severe heartburn, your doctor may suggest taking H2 blockers, such as:

• ranitidine . Ranitidine, brand name Zantac, is now marketed as Zantac 360, which contains a different active ingredient . Famotidine is in the same class as ranitidine and works the same way but has not been found to contain unacceptable levels of NDMA.

Lifestyle changes may also help take the edge off heartburn:

• Wear loose-fitting clothing that doesnt put pressure on your abdomen.
• Try keeping a food diary to help identify certain foods that may trigger your reflux.
• Wait three hours to lie down after meals. Avoid late meals right before bedtime.
• Sleep with your head elevated at night.
• Eat small meals throughout the day.

Speak with your doctor if your heartburn becomes severe. In rare cases, it may be a sign of HELLP syndrome. This is a serious pregnancy complication.

What Is The Best Allergy Medicine For Babies Under 2

Although nasal symptoms, such as a runny nose, may exist in babies under age 2, allergic rhinitis is uncommon in this group since they have not yet had repeated exposure to inhaled allergens. Before you look for an allergy medicine for a 1-year-old or a 2-year-old, call your childs healthcare provider. Young children should be evaluated for other causes of allergy-like symptoms before being treated with common allergy medicines.

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Where Can I Learn More About Safe Medicines During Pregnancy

If you have a question about the safety of any medication during pregnancy, talk with your healthcare provider.

An excellent online resource for evidence-based information on medication safety is the MotherToBaby website, a service of the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists. This is a professional scientific organization of experts who study teratogens, which are chemicals or substances in the environment that can cause birth defects. The website provides fact sheets on drugs and exposures that might affect your baby as well as a list of teratogen information services that you can contact for more information.

Learn more:

• Is it safe to take ibuprofen during pregnancy?

BabyCenters editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information youre seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

Briggs G, et al. 2008. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation, 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

MotherToBaby. 2020. Acetaminophen.

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Avoid Certain Allergy Medications

Use of oral decongestants is associated with increased risk of birth defects. Some oral antihistamines, like Allegra , Benadryl , Chlor-Trimeton , Claritin , and Zyrtec appear to be safe after the first trimester, safe meaning they have caused no known harm in studies that have been done. Avoid antihistamines combined with a decongestant.

Nasal sprays, as prescribed or recommended by a doctor, are applied only in the nose. That means their effects do not go throughout the body like oral medications. However, avoid nasal spray decongestants. There is not enough evidence to indicate whether or not they are safe.

Dont start allergy shots during pregnancy. If women are already taking them when they become pregnant, they can continue.

The reality is, not taking any allergy medication is the best option. But for women whose allergy symptoms are leaving them sleepless and unable to function, taking medication with a doctors approval may be better for both them and the baby. Its important for women with allergic asthma to use their prescribed medication. Uncontrolled asthma can cause serious problems during pregnancy.

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Skin Rashes Cuts Scrapes

Rashes and itchy skin can be treated with OTC hydrocortisone cream during pregnancy. But mention these symptoms to your doctor to rule out conditions like pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy . You doctor may prescribe steroidal creams for certain conditions.

For cuts and scrapes, clean the area well with soap and water. You may then apply an OTC antibiotic ointment, like Neosporin, for added protection.

Allergy Treatment During Pregnancy

You should understand that the phrase allergy treatment most often refers to the fight against symptoms, especially if the matter concerns pregnancy since it is about two lives that are connected with each other, and the state of one depends on the state of the other.

There are only two main allergy symptoms: breathing problems and skin reactions . In the first case, allergies should be treated with saline nasal solutions to relieve a runny nose. They are safe for pregnant women. In case of a potential threat to the mother, fluticasone propionate is used.

There are various ointments and cosmetics for the treatment of skin allergies. Products based on dexpanthenol and zinc pyrithione are safe for pregnant women. The latter, by the way, not only helps to relieve itching but also helps to normalize sleep and reduce the need for antihistamines.

General treatment is multidrug therapy. It may include inhalers, ointments, sprays or tablets. Budesonide and albuterol for inhalation are safe. A short course of second-generation antihistamines may also be prescribed. Cromones are safe but not particularly effective, so they are rarely prescribed.

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What Is A Sinus Infection

Sinus infections are a type of infection that occurs when the nasal cavities become inflamed, swollen, and infected. While viruses are the most common cause of sinusitis, sinus infection causes also include bacteria and fungi.

Sinusitis is classified based on its duration and cause. The two types of sinus infection include:

• Acute sinusitis is a temporary inflammation of the sinuses, and most often follows a cold or allergies. With a compromised immune system, women may develop new allergies and get sick more often during pregnancy. During a bout of acute sinusitis, swelling blocks the sinus openings and prevents normal mucus drainage. This causes mucus and pressure to build up. Symptoms usually worsen, then peak and disappear.
• Chronic sinusitis occurs when the symptoms of sinusitis last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Unlike acute sinusitis, symptoms may come and go and vary in intensity. Continued symptoms will strain the immune system, which is important to avoid if youre pregnant and the immune system is weak as it is.

A combination of antibiotics, antihistamines, and decongestants is used to fight chronic sinusitis, although many of these medications may not be safe if you are pregnant. According to Robyn Horsager-Boehrer, M.D. at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, pregnant women should avoid taking unnecessary drugs during pregnancy.

Is It Safe To Breastfeed

Doctors do not believe asthma medicines are harmful to a nursing baby when used in usual amounts. The transfer of asthma medicines into breast milk has not been fully studied.

When breastfeeding, drinking extra liquids to avoid dehydration is also important . Discuss this with your babys pediatrician.

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Can You Take Allergy Medicine When Pregnant

Everyone knows that a woman must thoroughly prepare for pregnancy and that during these nine months everything must be done with extreme caution, especially the choice of medicines. This is especially true for those who suffer from an allergy and have had seizures even before conception. Today, we will figure out what allergy drugs are safe during pregnancy and what effect the allergy has on the fetus.

What Allergy Medications Are Safe

Thankfully, there are more allergy medications that are safe to take than ones that arent, so you dont have to suffer with miserable allergy symptoms just because youre pregnant. Many over-the-counter antihistamine medications and nasal steroid sprays are safe to take in pregnancy, says OBGYN Danielle Jones, MD, of Mama Doctor Jones.

Most allergy medications listed above will have relatively little effect on the pregnancy and contain the same risk and benefit profile for the person taking it as if they were not pregnant, says Dr. Jones.

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Can You Take Allergy Medicine While Pregnant

Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology, as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility . He is the director and founding partner of CCRM New York and was named a rising star by Super Doctors from 2017 to 2019.

• How to Reduce Your Symptoms

Seasonal allergies can be tricky to manage in the best of times, but when youre pregnant , staying on top of your allergy symptoms feels like a major effort.

You dont want to take anything that could harm your baby, but you also cant spend any more days walking around in an allergy-induced fog. What is safe to take for your allergies while pregnant and what isnt? Heres a breakdown of your options.

Does Allergy Affect Pregnancy

For allergy sufferers, the good news is that whether your seasonal allergy symptoms are mild or severe during pregnancy, the actual symptoms themselves likely wont affect your baby, says OB/Gyn Salena Zanotti, MD. But you may need to change up how youd normally treat those symptoms to limit any risks to your child.

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Safe Constipation Remedies During Pregnancy

• Metamucil, Citracel, Fibercon, Benefiber
• Stool softeners colace ,1 tablet 2-3 times a day, pericolace ,1 tablet 1-3 times a day
• Laxatives such as Milk of Magnesia, Correctal, Fleets enema and Miralax
• Imodium liquid or capsules for diarrhea
• Psyllium, which is the basic ingredient in Konsyl and Metamucil

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.

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Safe Cough And Sore Throat Remedies During Pregnancy

• Dextromethorphan or Dextromethorphan-guaifenesin, such as Robitussin and Robitussin DM. 120 mg in 24 hours
• Nasal drops or sprays
• Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, for aches, pains, sore throat and fever
• Salt water gargling
• Menthol rub on chest, temples and under the nose
• Chloraseptic spray
• Cough drops or lozenges containing benzocaine
• Expectorant during the day

Cough and Flu Medications to Avoid During Pregnancy

• Bactrim, an antibiotic

Are My Allergies A Risk To My Baby

Allergies can affect your baby, but rarely directly. Because the placenta works like a filter, your blood never enters your babys body.

This is good news because it means your baby will not get your allergy this way, will likely not be affected if you eat something they are allergic to, and will not be affected by all the white blood cells racing around your body.

Eating certain foods during pregnancy will not increase your childs risk of an allergy. The idea that eating peanuts will give your baby a peanut allergy isnt just an old wives tale its the opposite of the truth .

Eating a varied diet during pregnancy, including common allergy triggers, reduces your babys chance of allergies.

Some people maintain overeating of a food type during pregnancy could cause a food aversion or intolerance, but this has not been confirmed. If you are in doubt or worried your baby will not be able to handle some of your favorite foods after birth, just remember to eat a varied diet.

When it comes to allergic reactions, these can absolutely affect your baby, though. If you suffer an anaphylactic shock, the lack of oxygen can affect your baby as well as you. The same goes for asthma and other breathing reactions .

IMPORTANT

If you suffer a food reaction, the loss of water and nutrients could hurt your baby. Vomiting, diarrhea, and just plain discomfort could all be a sign you are not digesting foods well.

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What Sinus Medicine Is Safe When Pregnant

The Hippocratic Oath takes on a much greater meaning for a pregnant woman: âI will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment I will keep them from harm and injustice.âMost people mistakenly assume it says, âFirst, do no harm,â but whichever way a patient wishes to take it, the pregnant patient is thinking not of herself, but of her baby. Sinus medicine may relieve the womanâs symptoms, but at what cost to the baby?

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About Antihistamines And This Study

About antihistamines

Antihistamines include both prescription and over-the-counter medications. They typically are used to treat

• Asthma and/or allergies

About 10-15% of women report taking antihistamines during pregnancy.

About this study

Researchers reviewed more than 50 published scientific articles that looked at the link between antihistamine use during pregnancy and birth defects. They evaluated the articles based on certain criteria: how researchers selected their study populations, how researchers determined antihistamine use in pregnancy, and how researchers identified babies with birth defects.

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Acetaminophen / Phenylephrine Pregnancy Warnings

This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.AU TGA pregnancy category: B2US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned:-There is no data on use in pregnant women to know this drugs risks, including the risk of fetal harm or reproductive effects.-Acetaminophen is commonly used during pregnancy and has been assumed safe recent data questions the safety, especially with routine use or varying genetics. -Routine use of acetaminophen during pregnancy is not advised.-Phenylephrine is a sympathomimetic used in emergencies to treat hypotension and alleviate eye and ear allergic symptoms.-Phenylephrine could cause constriction in uterine vessels , reducing uterine blood flow, potentially causing fetal hypoxia.-Phenylephrine may interact with oxytocic or ergot derivatives to cause persistent maternal hypertension cerebral vessel rupture is possible.-Sympathomimetic amines are teratogenic in some animal models, but are not suspected to cause human teratogenicity.-First trimester exposure to phenylephrine may be linked to fetal abnormalities.-Patients with a preeclampsia history should use phenylephrine with caution due to its vasoconstrictive properties.-Phenylephrine may reduce placental perfusion.

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