What kind of cough drops are safe while pregnant?
- Halls Menthol-Cough Suppressant / Oral Anesthetic Plus Medicine
- Ricola Cough Suppressant Throat Drops
- Vicks Menthol Cough Suppressant / Oral Anesthetic Drops
Can you donate blood when you have cough?
You should not donate blood when you're sick. In fact, the National Institutes of Health says that you should be free of cold and flu symptoms for at least 48 hours before you give blood. Symptoms of the flu include a cough, fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, and sore throat. Cold symptoms may be similar, but colds are less likely to cause fever or headaches.
Is it safe to use cough drops during pregnancy?
You can use cough drops that contain an expectorant known as guaifenesin. You can safely take cough drops with dextromethorphan in them. Cough drops with Cepacol and Chloraseptic are also safe to consume during pregnancy.
What cough medicine is safe to take when pregnant?
There are a number of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs considered to be safe in pregnancy, such as:
- Anesthetic cough drops such as Chloraseptic or Cepacol lozenges
- Expectorants containing guaifenesin to help clear mucus
- Alcohol-free cough syrups containing dextromethorphan, such as Tussin DM
- Combination guaifenesin/dextromethorphan drugs
- Tylenol (acetaminophen) to treat fever and minor aches and pains
- Menthol rubs such as Vicks or Mentholatum ointment
So Can I Take Cough Drops While Pregnant?
The “simple” answer to so very many things in your pregnancy is: it depends. Even with something that strikes you as potentially “harmless” as a co...
So Which Ingredients Are Safe For pregnancy?
1. Cough drops that contain dextromethorphan and guaifenesin (an expectorant) are considered safe for pregnant women to use. 2. There are no studie...
and There Are Remedies That Are All Natural
For those of you who read all of the above and felt unsure about whether or not chemicals are your cup of tea, the “cures” below are considered sol...
Are You A New Parent Or Parent-To-Be?
If you're going to have a new baby coming into the house soon, I highly recommend getting a copy of my free eBook: "57 Ways To Save Money As New Pa...
Menthol cough drops when pregnant | Answers from Doctors | HealthTap
"is it ok to suck on menthol cough drops while pregnant?" Answered by Dr. Klaus d Lessnau: Otherwise: Otherwise there would be a warning sign. And menthol has be...
Is it Safe to Have Cough Drops While Pregnant?
Cough drops can contain any of the following: Active Ingredients: Benzocaine: which is a topical anesthetic normally found in over the counter products such as mouth ulcer medicine; Eucalyptus oil: this is an extract of the eucalyptus plant. Dextromethrophan: this is a potent cough reliever
Can I Use Cough Drops While Pregnant? - New Kids Center
Most women already know that avoiding medications while pregnant is a good idea. But does that include avoiding cough drops while pregnant? These over the counter medications can work wonders when you have a cold, and they obviously aren’t a pill that eventually makes its way through your body.
Should I Worry About Cough During Pregnancy? | New Health Advisor
Cough during pregnancy is quite common, but you should think twice before taking OTCs to relieve symptoms. Learn about home remedies that helps suppress your cough.
What Are Cough Drops?
Cough drops are primarily made up of menthol, a naturally occurring compound obtained from plant-derived peppermint and eucalyptus. You might also know them as throat lozenges or cough sweets and use them to reduce the irritation you can get in the back of the throat when you have a cough or sore throat.
Is It Safe To Take Cough Drops During Pregnancy?
Cough drops are considered to be OK to take during pregnancy. “This treatment is safe, but with everything, use the cough drops in moderation,” says Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman. “Like most medications and supplements, cough drops have not been studied in pregnancy.”
What If I Take Cough Drops Before Realizing I'm Pregnant?
As cough drops are generally deemed safe to take during pregnancy, you do not need to worry if you took them before realizing you were pregnant. “ [Cough drops] are not considered a risk in any trimester,” clarifies Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman.
Benefits Of Taking Cough Drops During Pregnancy
There are two main benefits of taking cough drops during pregnancy: to alleviate any cough-related pain and to ensure you stay well hydrated.
Safety Precautions
Cough drops are relatively safe to take. However, there are some things to be aware of.
Pregnancy Safe Alternatives
While cough drops are safe to take in pregnancy, there are natural alternatives to fighting your cough that you might prefer. Along with plenty of rest and fluids, these include drinking hot water with lemon and honey and gargling with warm salty water.
A Word From Verywell
Cough drops are safe to use during pregnancy but you should consult with a healthcare provider before taking them, especially if you have any concerns or underlying health conditions. “Patients with ‘colds’ or flu-like symptoms should consult their doctors or other obstetric care providers early, especially with a persistent cough,” urges Dr.
What to take for coughing while pregnant?
And if you still aren't comfortable taking cough drops while pregnant, sip on some hot water with lemon, ginger, and honey, says Godfrey, which can also help minimize your cough (because, let's be real, any coughing during pregnancy is painful).
Can pregnant women take Advil?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both have entire websites dedicated to the topic of the meds pregnant women can and can’t take—NSAIDS like Advil, for instance, have been linked to higher rates of birth defects compared to pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), per the CDC.
Is dextromethorphan safe for pregnancy?
The same goes for dextromethorphan (the active ingredient in cough suppressant medicines) too, which the American Pregnancy Association deems safe for use during pregnancy.
Do cough drops contain active ingredients?
But what about cough drops? While, yes, they contain active ingredients for cough-suppressant purposes, they're pretty tame as far as medications go. So can you reach for them when you're dealing with a nasty cold—or no? (PS, thanks, compromised immune system !)
Can you take menthol while pregnant?
But even without tons of research, the Cleveland Clinic says menthol cough drops are fine to take, as directed, during pregnancy. Mary Jane Minkin, MD, an ob-gyn and clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine also says that she has never told women they cannot take cough drops during pregnancy.
What are cough drops used for?
When Cough Drops Are Useful. Though they’re referred to as “cough drops,” those soothing discs treat more symptoms than just a hacking cough. Also referred to as “throat lozenges,” they can treat a number of symptoms, including: Sore throat. Persistent cough. Stuffy nose. Dry mouth.
How to get rid of mucus in throat?
Gargling with salt water: Mix one-half teaspoon salt in a cup of hot water, gargle for about one minute, and spit it out. This can help loosen mucus, soothe your throat, and even kill bacteria.
Can you use peppermint oil on your skin while pregnant?
Peppermint Oil. Peppermint oil acts similarly to menthol when used in a throat lozenge. And like eucalyptus oil, it’s not recommended for direct application on the skin during pregnancy, but the small volumes in which it’s consumed in a cough drop are unlikely to cause any issues with your baby.
Can you take cough drops while pregnant?
Cough drops may look and taste like candy, but many contain medicated active ingredients, and you may wonder whether they’re safe to take during pregnancy. The general medical consensus is that cough drops are perfectly fine to use to soothe a sore throat while pregnant, and that they’re unlikely to cause harm to you or your baby (1).
Is it safe to take menthol while pregnant?
It also helps to numb the throat and relieve congestion. Menthol is commonly used during pregnancy, but medical providers tend to disagree as to whether it’s completely safe or not as it has not been widely studied (6).
Is pectin safe for pregnancy?
Pectin is largely considered to be an ingredient that is considered safe for use during pregnancy.
Is cough medicine safe during pregnancy?
It’s always good to exercise caution and use medication sparingly, but the consensus in the medical community is that most cough drops are entirely safe.
How do cough drops work?
Cough drops work in a few ways. They increase saliva production to keep your sore throat moist, and some have ingredients that slightly numb the throat to minimize pain and coughing. But while cough drops seem simple, they're not all created equal.
Is it safe to cough while pregnant?
Popping a cough drop would help ease the symptoms that keep you awake at night, but is it safe? It depends on what type you choose. Many cough drops are perfectly safe for pregnant women. But if you're uncertain, you can always err on the side of caution and make your own.
Can you drink cough syrup while pregnant?
However, be warned that some types of cough syrup are as much as 10 percent alcohol and are therefore not safe for consumption by a pregnant woman. Look for an alcohol-free variety.
Can you use Cepacol while pregnant?
Menthol is a common ingredient in some brands, but researchers haven't done much study about ment hol during pregnancy . Either avoid menthol drops, or talk to your OB/GYN before using them.
How to make a cough drop?
A clove in each cheek, sucked on like cough drops. Add 1 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to boiling hot water. Drink when cooled. Chamomile tea with honey. Ginger tea, made from fresh ginger root. Hot water, honey, and whole cloves in boiling water. Honey lemon tea.
Why do cough drops dissolve?
According to Health Status LLC, “Cough drops are small sweets that are supposed to be taken by mouth and dissolved slowly, in order to help sooth a sore throat due to the common cold or influenza. These sweets are medicated and also help relieve cough.
Why is my throat sore during pregnancy?
Nagging sore throats are incredibly common in pregnancy. They can arise from the temperature changes happening outdoors, the temperature changes happening in your own body, the heartburn and acid reflux that seem to tear ...
Can menthol cause pregnancy?
There have not been any reports of negative effects on a pregnancy due to menthol use. To be safe, you should talk to your doctor before taking menthol cough drops during pregnancy.
Is cough drop harmful during pregnancy?
The “simple” answer to so very many things in your pregnancy is: it depends. Even with something that strikes you as potentially “harmless” as a cough drop needs to be referred to a medical professional.
Can you take menthol while pregnant?
There are no studies that assess the safety of menthol during pregnancy. Therefore, the risks of menthol cough drops on pregnancy are not fully known.
What about a Simple Cough Drop?
When you are pregnant, you will find that what you can and cannot take depends on many different things. While a cough drop seems to be quite harmless, it is still recommended to check with your doctor before you take any medication. However, when it comes to cough drops, the following information should be very helpful.
How Cough Drops Work
A cough drop is a small sweet that is designed to be taken by mouth. These drops dissolve slowly and help to soothe throats that are sore due to the flu or a common cold. The drops are medicated and will help relieve coughs. The medication that is present in the cough drop help to lubricate and soothe the throat tissues that have become irritated.
What You Need to Know About Buying Cough Drops when Pregnant
When purchasing cough drops while you are pregnant, it is important to know what they contain. A cough drop may contain any of these ingredients:
What Ingredients are Safe for Pregnant Women?
Cough drops that contain guaifenesin, which is an expectorant, or dextromethorphan are considered to be safe for pregnant women to take. There have not been any studies conducted about the safety of using menthol while pregnant.
Possible Dangers of Menthol Cough Drops
There are no known reports of negative effects of menthol on a pregnancy. However, in order to be safe, it is a good idea to discuss using menthol cough drops with your doctor.
Cough Drop Alternatives
If you have read the list above and are not sure about taking the chemicals that are found in many types of cough drops, there are other solutions for relieving your sore throat during pregnancy that you may want to try such as:
Listen to Your Body
When it comes to using cough drops, it is thought that most of the over the counter natural cough drops without menthol is rather safe for you to use while you are pregnant.
When to see a doctor for cough during pregnancy?
When to See a Doctor. You should talk to your doctor if your cough during pregnancy is making it difficult for you to eat or sleep. You should also see your doctor if your cough does not improve in a couple of days. Consult your doctor if you also have a fever higher than 102°F (38.9°C).
How to keep your head elevated during pregnancy?
It is important to keep your head elevated by putting something under your pillow. Limit your exposure to potential irritants, such as dust, cleaning products, perfumes, dust, or other agents. Maintain a balanced diet and add more fruit and vegetables to your daily consumption. Get plenty of rest during pregnancy.
What cough suppressants can you use?
You can use cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan and codeine.
Can you cough while pregnant?
In most cases, the answer is no . Many women ask if cough during pregnancy can be harmful to the baby, especially when the symptom last for prolonged period of time. The truth is that although your baby will feel your tummy move up and down while coughing, it does not hurt them physically. The amniotic fluid works as a shock absorber and protects your baby from vibrations, noises, and the pressure caused by coughing. If you feel you strain your tummy muscles a bit too much, you can use your hand to hold your tummy and support your lower abdomen.
Does candy help with coughing?
Hard candy may help prevent coughs. Cough drops are also effective, but be sure to ask your doctor if you can use those drops during pregnancy. Your coughing episodes may become worse when you lie down. It is important to keep your head elevated by putting something under your pillow.
Can asthma cause unproductive coughing?
You may experience breathing difficulties with unproductive coughs if you have asthma.
Can you drink hot water while pregnant?
You need to stay hydrated during pregnancy. If you have dry, irritating cough, you may find some relief from hot water with lemon. Honey mixed in hot water may also help, but you should talk to your doctor before trying this option.
