Cough Medicines for Pregnant Women
- Guaifenesin. Guaifenesin is an expectorant, meaning it helps loosen airway phlegm so it can be coughed up more easily.
- Dextromethorphan. It is a pregnancy category C medication. ...
- Codeine. Well known as a pain reliever, codeine is also a prescription cough suppressant. ...
- Warnings and Precautions. ...
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
Which medications are safe to take during pregnancy?
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)*
- Dextromethorphan (Robitussin®)*
- Guaifenesin (Mucinex® [plain]) *
- Vicks Vapor Rub® mentholated cream
- Mentholated or non-mentholated cough drops
- (Sugar-free cough drops for gestational diabetes should not contain blends of herbs or aspartame)
- Pseudoephedrine ( [Sudafed®] after 1st trimester)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)*
What medicines should you avoid during pregnancy?
When migraine symptoms begin:
- Drink water to avoid dehydration, especially if you have vomited
- Rest in a quiet, dark room
- Place a cool cloth on your head
- Avoid smoking or drinking coffee or caffeinated drinks
- Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages
- Try to sleep
Which cough syrup is best in pregnancy?
These are easily available at home or over the counter and effectively treat cough:
- Lozenges -containing ginger, menthol and honey
- Basic cough syrups – Vicks cough syrup
- Paracetamol – only in recommended doses
- Tylenol – package instructions should be followed
How do I get rid of a cough while pregnant?
CoughTo help eliminate secretions, drink plenty of water.Dextromethorphan syrup (e.g. Benylin DM) can be used to relieve a dry cough.Most cough drops (e.g. Halls) are safe in pregnancy.Consult your family doctor if: Your cough persists beyond seven (7) days. ... Avoid preparations containing pseudoephedrine.
What can I take for a cold and cough while pregnant?
Medicationsmenthol rub on your chest, temples, and under the nose.nasal strips, which are sticky pads that open congested airways.cough drops or lozenges.acetaminophen (Tylenol) for aches, pains, and fevers.cough suppressant at night.expectorant during the day.More items...
Is Robitussin safe for pregnant?
Robitussin DM is a cough remedy containing guaifenesin to loosen mucus and dextromethorphan, a medication to suppress coughing. Both ingredients are safe to use during pregnancy.
Can coughing while pregnant hurt the baby?
The good news is that even though you probably feel fatigued, the symptoms of a cold or flu are not typically dangerous to your baby. However, it is important to take the necessary measures to avoid contracting a cold or cough during pregnancy and to treat it once you get one.
A Special Consideration: Whooping Cough
Whooping cough is a contagious infection that is characterized by excessive, violent coughing followed by an intake of breath that makes a whooping sound.
Dealing With The Flu While Pregnant
Flu is an infectious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes. It’s not the same as a cold. Flu is caused by a different group of viruses. Symptoms tend to be more severe and last longer.
Eczema Dermatitis And Skin Allergies
If you suffer from eczema, dermatitis or any type of skin allergy during pregnancy, moisturisers or soothing products such as Aveeno cream or aqueous cream should be your first port of call as these are considered safe to use.
How To Take It
The way to take this medicine is: Oral. This medicine is taken by mouth.
Causes Of Cough During Pregnancy
While a minor cough is normal during pregnancy, the severe cough that lasts for a few days may not be desirable. Here are some of the main reasons why a pregnant woman suffers from persistent cough:
What Is A Dry Cough
Normal cough fills a demand. Cough helps in taking away the mucus or phlegm, which advances down from the nose through the rear of the throat or, which has been expelled from the lungs.
Medications To Avoid During Pregnancy
Always check with your doctor or OBGYN before taking any medications prescription, over-the-counter, or homeopathic particularly the following.
When should I avoid decongestants?
It's best to avoid the decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, especially in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, since there have been some reports of related birth defects. Although the risk appears to be low, it could be higher if you're a smoker. After the first trimester, occasional use of these medications (for example, ...
Can pregnant women take cold medicine?
Some of the ingredients in cold medications are considered safe for pregnant women, but others should be avoided. Most cold medicines are multi-symptom remedies that contain two or more drugs (although you can also buy these drugs individually).
Does benzocaine cause birth defects?
Other good studies of women who took the drug during pregnancy have found that it doesn't raise the risk of birth defects in humans. The local anesthetic benzocaine is combined with dextromethorphan in one product to treat sore throats.
Can I take ibuprofen after the first trimester?
After the first trimester, occasional use of these medications (for example, once or twice daily for no more than a day or two) is probably safe. More frequent use, however, can reduce blood flow to the placenta. You'll also need to avoid the pain relievers aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, sodium salicylate, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ...
Is it safe to take acetaminophen while pregnant?
It's considered safe to take during pregnancy as long as you take no more than the dose recommended on the label. Here are some cold medications to avoid:
Can you take doxylamine while pregnant?
Here are a few cold medications that are okay to take during pregnancy: The antihistamines chlorpheniramine, loratadine, doxylamine, brompheniramine, phenindamine, pheniramine, triprolidine, and diphenhydramine are considered low risk during pregnancy, but they can make you sleepy, especially doxylamine and diphenhydramine.
Is it safe to take meds during pregnancy?
Remember that no drug is 100 percent safe for all women, so it's a good idea to check with your doctor or midwife before taking any kind of medicine during pregnancy. Don't take more than the recommended dose and, if possible, avoid taking anything during your first trimester, when your developing baby is most vulnerable.
What is the FDA labeling for cough and cold medicine?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA drug safety communication: FDA requires labeling changes for prescription opioid cough and cold medicines to limit their use to adults 18 years and older. Updated January 22, 2018. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hycodan (hydrocodone bitartarate and homotropine methylbromide).
Can pregnant women take cough medicine?
The safety of different types of cough medicine for pregnant women varies, depending primarily on the specific drug or drugs in the medication and how far along the pregnancy is.
Is codeine a cough suppressant?
Well known as a pain reliever, codeine is also a prescription cough suppressant. A study published in December 2011 in the "European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" found neither birth defects nor infant survival rate were adversely affected among 2,666 mothers who took codeine while pregnant, compared to women who did not take the medicine 5. Codeine is deemed a pregnancy category C drug for short-term use during most of pregnancy, but it also carries the risks of any narcotic medication. The authors of the "European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology" study urge caution during the latter stages of pregnancy because they found a slightly increased risk of unplanned delivery via cesarean section and heavy bleeding after delivery 5 6 .**
Is Guaifenesin safe for pregnant women?
Guaifenesin is a pregnancy category C drug, meaning animal studies suggest it might be harmful to the developing baby, but the risk hasn't been adequately studied in people. An August 2007 article published in "The Journal of Family Practice" reports that one study showed a weak association between guaifenesin use in pregnancy and nervous system abnormalities and hernias in babies 6. However, it's unclear whether these abnormalities are caused by taking guaifenesin. To be safe, many doctors recommend that pregnant women avoid taking guaifenesin for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy 6 .**
Is dextromethorphan a pregnancy medication?
It is a pregnancy category C medication. Although no human studies suggest fetal risk, the drug caused abnormalities in a study conducted with chick embryos. Because no human studies suggest risk, many doctors are comfortable recommending dextromethorphan for cough at any time during pregnancy.
Can you cough while pregnant?
Experiencing a cough while pregnant can cause physical discomfort and generate concern. When simple measures, like sucking on cough drops or sipping hot tea, fail to suppress a cough, some mothers-to-be seek relief with over-the-counter or prescription cough medicine. The safety of different types of cough medicine for pregnant women varies, depending primarily on the specific drug or drugs in the medication and how far along the pregnancy is. Pregnant women with a cough should consult their healthcare provider about the potential risks and benefits before taking cough medicine and to determine whether they need to be seen for further evaluation of their cough.
Is dextromethorphan a cough suppressant?
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant 7. A study published in February 2001 in "Chest" reported that among 184 women who took dextromethorphan during their pregnancy, there was no increased risk of birth defects among their babies 7. Dextromethorphan is a common ingredient in over-the-counter cough medicines (Robitussin DM, DayQuil Cough, Delsym) as well as prescription medications 1 .** It is a pregnancy category C medication. Although no human studies suggest fetal risk, the drug caused abnormalities in a study conducted with chick embryos. Because no human studies suggest risk, many doctors are comfortable recommending dextromethorphan for cough at any time during pregnancy.
What is the best cough suppressant?
Tylenol) can be used to alleviate fevers, headaches, and body aches. Anesthetic sore throat lozenges can ease the pain in your throat. Codeine and dextromethorphan can often be used as cough suppressants.
How to give your body a lot of sleep during pregnancy?
Learn more about the importance of bed rest during pregnancy. Drink plenty of fluids – Drink water, juice, or broth to add necessary fluids back into your body. Eat well – Even if you cannot stomach larger meals, try eating small portions often.
How to help someone with a cold?
If you know you are around someone who is struggling with a cold, avoid touching their hands or eating after them. Take extra effort to wash your hands more frequently when you are around those who have a cold or cough.
How to avoid a cold?
In order to avoid getting a cold or cough, the most important step to take is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you are eating nutritiously, getting the necessary amount of sleep, and exercising on a regular basis. In addition to this, it is important that you take your prenatal vitamins, as well as probiotics.
Can you take cold medicine while pregnant?
Many medications you normally would use to treat the symptoms of your cold are not safe to take during your pregnancy. The following is a list of medications that pose little risk to your baby during pregnancy; however, it is best to consult with your doctor before taking any medications to relieve your symptoms.
Can you get a cold while pregnant?
When you become pregnant, your immune system is likely to change. As a result of these changes, you may contract a cold or cough at some point during your pregnancy. In addition, your illness may last longer. The good news is that even though you probably feel fatigued, the symptoms of a cold or flu are not typically dangerous to your baby.
What to do if you have a cold while pregnant?
If you come down with a cold while pregnant and you want to take something for symptom relief, look for medications that are formulated for your specific symptoms. Avoid multi-symptom formulas, especially those containing acetaminophen.
When to ask for antibiotics for a cold?
A word about antibiotics. So many patients call asking for antibiotics for a cold, usually when they’ve had symptoms for several days. There are a few times when antibiotics are appropriate, for instance, strep throat or sinus infections caused by bacteria.
How much pseudoephedrine can you take in 24 hours?
You’ll have to provide identification to purchase it, and stores track how much you purchase. The maximum dose of a typical decongestant is 240 mg in 24 hours.
Can pregnant women get a cold?
Most pregnant women can find relief from colds safely with over-the-counter drugs that treat specific symptoms. Most people experience two to three colds during the winter and spring, and pregnant women are no exception. Colds are caused by viruses for which there is no real cure – you can treat the symptoms that make you feel crummy, ...
Can you take over the counter cold medicine while pregnant?
Which over-the-counter cold medications are safe during pregnancy? Most pregnant women can find relief from colds safely with over-the-counter drugs that treat specific symptoms. Most people experience two to three colds during the winter and spring, and pregnant women are no exception. Colds are caused by viruses for which there is no real cure – ...
Can I buy OTC medication without a prescription?
Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications you can buy without a prescription come as multi-symptom formulas. These drugs are meant to treat every cold symptom: body aches, congestion, coughing, fever, headache, and sneezing. But not everyone develops every symptom of a cold, and pregnant women should avoid taking unnecessary drugs during pregnancy.
Is Benadryl safe for pregnancy?
Chlorpheniramine, such as Triaminic Allergy, and diphenhydramine, such as Benadryl, are safe to take during pregnancy . However, both can cause drowsiness, so these are best taken at bedtime.
What decongestants affect blood flow to the placenta?
The decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, which can affect blood flow to the placenta. Pain relief, headache, and fever. Acetaminophen (Anacin Aspirin-Free, Tylenol, Shake That Ache!) Allergy relief.
Is it safe to take medication while pregnant?
No medication is 100 percent safe, and even medication that's safe for someone else to take during pregnancy might not be safe for you. So always check with your healthcare provider before you take any kind of medicine during pregnancy – even an over-the-counter (OTC) product. In general, don't take more than the recommended dose, ...
Is natural medicine safe for pregnant women?
Like any drug, some natural remedies are considered low risk in pregnancy and some aren't. The biggest challenge with determining the safety and effectiveness of natural or alternative remedies is that many haven't yet been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women, so the risks are simply unknown.
Can you use Tolnaftate while pregnant?
Tolnaftate (Absorbine Athlete's Foot Cream, Absorbine Footcare, Genaspor, Tinactin) Certain Cruex, Desenex, and FungiCure products that may contain antifungal agents not listed here and should not be used during pregnancy. Check labels carefully and avoid any products containing active ingredients not listed here.
Is it safe to use homeopathic remedies while pregnant?
Also, many natural and homeopathic remedies aren't well regulated, so it's difficult to know exactly what's in them. Some nonmedicinal treatments, like prenatal massage, can be perfectly safe and helpful during pregnancy. Others, such as acupuncture, are probably safe, but no one knows for sure.