What Kind Of Cold Medicine Can I Take While Pregnant

What Can You Take For A Cold While Pregnant

How can I treat a cold while pregnant?

Pregnancy is a unique period where extra care and caution are required to protect the fetus you are carrying. Catching a cold or flu during pregnancy can always be severe because it may last three times longer. Pregnant women are more susceptible to the complications of a cold, such as pneumonia. However, a cold doesnt harm the fetus. There are many ways to avoid colds and have a healthy pregnancy. You may take over-the-counter treatment after consulting with the physician because these are generally safe. OTC medications for colds and flus include

  • Saline nasal drops or spray
  • Tylenol Sinus
  • Tylenol Cold & Flu

Always be cautious about using these medications during the first trimester because this is the most crucial phase of fetal development. Always check with your physician before taking any type of medication. Antibiotics are not required in most cases. They must always be taken after talking to your doctor.

Some of the natural remedies to treat a cold during pregnancy include

Pain Or Headache Relief

Acetaminophen is the drug of choice for pain during pregnancy. Its widely used with very few documented adverse effects.

Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , on the other hand, should be avoided during pregnancy.

NSAIDs include:

  • ketoprofen
  • naproxen

If your pain is particularly severe after a surgery, for example your doctor may prescribe a short course of opioid pain relievers. When taken as directed, they may not affect fetal development.

That said, opioid use during pregnancy does carry the risk of withdrawal, called neonatal abstinence syndrome , after delivery.

What Cold Medicine Can I Take While Pregnant

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Prescription Medications Youre Already Taking

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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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What Can You Do To Feel Better If You Get A Cold During Pregnancy

Although many of the medications that relieve cold symptoms are typically off-limits during pregnancy, you dont have to suffer with a runny nose and hacking cough when youre pregnant. Some of the most effective cold remedies dont come from the pharmacy shelf. Here’s how to feel better faster:

What to Expect selects products based on independent research and suggestions from our community of millions of parents learn more about our review process. We may earn commissions from shopping links.

Types Of Cold Medications To Consider

Even after your first trimester, it is best to speak with your doctor about the types and brands of cold medications that are safe to take. Typically speaking, you should avoid any multi-symptom product, which could include ingredients that range from painkillers and decongestants to expectorants and cough suppressants.

Instead, get the drug to treat the symptom you’re experiencing. There are a number of over-the-counter 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 to treat fever and minor aches and pains
  • Menthol rubs such as Vicks or Mentholatum ointment

When buying any over-the-counter cold or flu remedy, always read the label closely. In some cases, there may be ingredients you should avoid. In others, there may be ingredients you don’t need.

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How Long Does A Cold During Pregnancy Last

Cold symptoms generally last 10 to 14 days. And yes, sorry to say, you can get a brand new cold just as the last one is ending, so if it feels like you always have the sniffles, you may be right.

However, if your symptoms persist past 10 to 14 days, or seem to be getting progressively worse, let your practitioner know. He or she will want to make sure your never-ending cold isnt evolving into something more serious, like a secondary infection or the flu.

Taking Medicine During Pregnancy

How can I find out what medications are safe to take for a cold while pregnant or nursing?

There may come a time during your pregnancy when youre feeling under the weather and aren’t sure if you can take your regular over-the-counter medication. Some medications are safe to take during pregnancy. But others are not, or their effects on your baby may not be known.

When you meet with your doctor to confirm you’re pregnant, ask what meds are OK to take and what meds you need to find alternatives for. Your health care provider will weigh the risks and benefits to help you know what’s safe.

Also, tell your doctor about any alternative medicines or supplements you take, even if the label says “natural.” And if you get any new prescriptions while you’re pregnant, make sure the people who prescribe them know that you’re pregnant.

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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.

Cold Medicine And Pregnancy

Coming down with the common cold is always unpleasant, let alone if you’re pregnant. While many medications are off-limits during pregnancy, there are some remedies to relieve your symptoms.

Common Cold Medicine and Pregnancy: Go Natural

Before you consider taking drugstore medicines for the common cold, you might want to consider some good old-fashioned home remedies, says Elisa Ross, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist on staff with the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

The reason: No over-the-counter medicines are really treating the cold or helping you get better, they just control symptoms.

Dr. Ross suggests:

  • Chicken soup

Common Cold Medicine and Pregnancy: Whats Safe?

If you can’t get enough relief from those home remedies, its possible to use common cold medicines with a few precautions. First, guidelines say its best to avoid all medication during the first trimester.

“In the first 12 weeks the baby is making its organs, and so in general, if people don’t need to take something during that time it would be great if they didnt,” says Dr. Ross. more serious consequences at the beginning of the pregnancy.”

Next, Ross says the safest bet is to look for medications with the fewest ingredients possible.

There are also specific medicines to avoid during pregnancy:

  • Aspirin
  • Any herbal medications or remedies

Common Cold Medicine and Pregnancy: The Safe List

  • Zinc lozenges
  • Chloraseptic spray

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Common Cold Symptoms During Pregnancy

Generally, a cold will start with a sore or scratchy throat lasting about a day or two, followed by the gradual onset of other symptoms which may include:

  • Sneezing
  • Mild fatigue
  • A runny, then later stuffy nose
  • A dry cough, particularly as the cold is ending which may continue for a week or more after the other symptoms have mostly subsided
  • A low-grade fever typically under 100 degrees Fahrenheit

Cold symptoms usually last between 10 to 14 days. However, if your symptoms persist longer than that time frame or seem to progressively worsen, you should talk to your primary care physician so they can ensure it hasnt turned into something more serious like an infection or the flu.

Cold Medicines That Can Be Taken While Pregnant

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Pregnant women may develop a cold at one time or another during the nine months of pregnancy. Severe cold symptoms may require the use of over-the-counter medications for relief. According to the American Family Physician, most over-the-counter drugs have an excellent safety profile, while some have unproven safety or are known to adversely affect the fetus. Always contact your physician prior to taking any medication during your pregnancy.

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Can I Take Cold Medicine During Pregnancy

While there is never really a good time to have a cold or the flu, having one during pregnancy comes with additional difficulties. Unfortunately, getting sick during pregnancy isnt uncommonthe immune system goes through a series of changes during those nine months.

When faced with a seasonal cold or flu while pregnant, you must consider not only your own health but that of your baby’s. While there are certain drugs to avoid, suffering through your symptoms isn’t necessary. Read on for a few tips to consider.

What Alternative Therapies Are Considered Safe During Pregnancy

Some alternative therapies have been shown to be safe and effective for pregnant women to relieve some of the uncomfortable side effects of pregnancy. Talk it over with your doctor first before using any of them. And remember, Natural doesnt always equal safe when youre pregnant.

Continued

Nausea in early pregnancy:Acupuncture, acupressure, ginger root , and vitamin B6 work well. Sipping the thick syrup from inside a can of peaches, pears, mixed fruits, pineapples, or orange slices may also help.

Backache: Chiropractic manipulation holds the best track record. Another option is massage but it is important to make sure your massage therapist is adequately trained in pre-natal massage.

Turning a breech baby: Exercise and hypnosis may help.

Pain relief in labor: Epidurals are most effective, but immersion in a warm bath can also relieve tension. Relaxation and breathing techniques, emotional support, and self-hypnosis are widely used in labor. Acupuncture can also work for some women.

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Mild And Severe Allergies

Mild allergies may respond well to lifestyle measures. If you need some extra help, the following OTC oral antihistamines are generally considered safe:

  • diphenhydramine
  • loratadine
  • cetirizine

If your allergies are more severe, your doctor may suggest taking an OTC corticosteroid spray at a low dose along with an oral antihistamine. Options include:

  • budesonide
  • fluticasone

You may also try the following lifestyle changes:

  • Avoid going outdoors or opening windows on high pollen days.
  • Take off clothing youve been wearing outdoors. Rinse off pollen from skin and hair with a quick shower.
  • Wear a mask while completing outdoor chores or enlist the help of someone else for tasks like mowing.
  • Rinse nasal passages with saline spray or a neti pot.

Is It Safe To Take Medication At 28 Weeks Pregnant

What Medications Can You Take While Pregnant?

Many doctors also recommend caution after 28 weeks. Speak with your doctor before taking any medication if youre pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Several medications are considered safe after 12 weeks of pregnancy. These include: Avoid all-in-one medications that combine ingredients to tackle many symptoms.

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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. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that all pregnant women receive the Tdap vaccine during each of their pregnancies, preferably between the 27th-36th weeks of pregnancy.This will ensure that protection against whooping cough is passed down to your baby for the first couple of months after birth. Since your child will not receive their first whooping cough vaccine until they are 2 months old, getting this vaccine while you are pregnant will ensure your infant is protected until then. Learn more about taking vaccinations during your pregnancy.

What Kind Of Cold Medication Can I Take While Pregnant

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

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Also Check: Can You Donate Plasma While Pregnant

What Medications Are Safe To Take During Pregnancy

Prenatal vitamins are safe and important to take when you’re pregnant. Ask your health care provider about the safety of taking other vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements. Most herbal preparations and supplements have not been proven to be safe during pregnancy.

Generally, you should not take any OTC medication while pregnant unless it is necessary.

The following medications and home remedies have no known harmful effects during pregnancy when taken according to the package directions. Contact your doctor for additional information on their safety or for medications not listed here.

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy*

  • Saline nasal drops or spray
  • Warm salt/water gargle

*Note: No drug can be considered 100% safe to use during pregnancy.

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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.

  • Pain relievers and fever reducers like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can cause pregnancy complications, particularly if taken during the third trimester.
  • Avoid non-steroidal nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline.
  • Dont take supplemental vitamins or herbal remedies without medical approval.

Medicines That Are Safe For Pregnant Women To Take When Sick

  • Obstetrics
  • Medicines That Are Safe for Pregnant Women to Take When Sick

When you are pregnant, your immune system doesnt operate at maximum capacity, which is actually a good thing because it keeps your growing baby protected, and stops your body from thinking the fetus is an intruder. However, this comes with the downside that your body cant ward off the viruses that cause the common cold quite as effectively. This can leave you vulnerable to the symptoms that come along, including a congested nose, cough, and sore throat.

As we move into cold and flu season, you may find yourself coming down with a cold, and while you can rest assured that your baby isnt experiencing any of them, you want to get rid of the symptoms quickly and safely. While colds are mostly an uncomfortable annoyance best managed by a little extra rest, fluids, and patience, you may find yourself seeking out cold medications to alleviate your symptoms. We recommend making a so they can steer you in the right direction in terms of cold medications that are considered safe during pregnancy. Here are our own recommendations on what to do if you get sick while pregnant.

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Is It A Cold Or The Flu

You can usually tell the difference between a cold and the flu by taking stock of the symptoms:

  • A cold, even a bad one, is milder than the flu. Its symptoms come on gradually, and theres usually little to no fever. The sore throat that usually starts off the cold goes away after a day or two, leaving the runny nose and cough as the main symptoms.
  • Influenza, aka the flu, is more severe and comes on more suddenly than a cold. Symptoms of the flu include a high fever , headache, chills, a sore throat that generally worsens by the second or third day , often intense muscle soreness, and general weakness and fatigue, which can last a couple of weeks or longer. You may also experience occasional sneezing and a cough that can become severe.

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