Over-the-counter decongestants are, for the most part, safe during pregnancy, physicians advise. Most decongestants do not contain enough medication to cause problems with baby, especially if used for short periods.

What decongestants are safe to take while pregnant?

Decongestant medications reduce stuffiness and sinus pressure by constricting the blood vessels in your nose, which reduces swelling. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are available over the counter as Sudafed and are safe for many women to use during pregnancy.

How do I get rid of nasal congestion while pregnant?

Take a warm shower and linger in the steamy bathroom. Steam is soothing and temporarily relieves congestion. Soak a washcloth with hot water, hold it up to your face, and breathe. Try using saline nose drops or saline nasal spray three to four times a day to clear your nasal passages.

Can I take mucinex D while pregnant?

Talk with your doctor. Mucinex is likely safe to take while breastfeeding and during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Before taking any medication while pregnant or breastfeeding, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor first.

How do I break up mucus in my chest while pregnant?

What You Can Do at Home

1. Drink lots of fluids. Drink plenty of water and other fluids, but not things that can dehydrate you, such as coffee and alcohol.
2. Humidify. Try a cool mist humidifier or hop into a steamy shower to keep your airways moisturized.
3. Don't smoke or vape anything. ...
4. Try a teaspoon of honey.

Medication for Cold during Pregnancy

28 related questions found

What if I took Sudafed PE while pregnant?

You could have more side effects. This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking Sudafed PE Head Congestion (ibuprofen and phenylephrine), call your doctor right away.

Can I use Vicks on my nose while pregnant?

Yes, vapor rub is safe to use during pregnancy.

What is the safest decongestant?

In the drug realm, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and loratadine (Claritin) can help with a stuffy nose are safe for the heart.

Is Tylenol Sinus safe during pregnancy?

Avoid combination products.

For example, while Tylenol pain reliever (acetaminophen) is relatively safe for occasional use during pregnancy, Tylenol Sinus Congestion and Pain and Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom liquid contain the decongestant phenylephrine, which is not.

Can you take Sudafed while pregnant first trimester?

Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) 30-60 mg every 4-6 hours can be used in the second and third trimesters in women without gestational hypertension. Avoid use in the first trimester and with breastfeeding. Sudafed PE (Phenylephidrine) should be avoided because of its uncertain efficacy and safety in pregnancy.

Can I take Claritin while pregnant?

Many allergy drugs may be fine to keep taking during pregnancy, but have the discussion so you can have peace of mind. Oral antihistamines, like cetirizine (Zyrtec), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin) seem to be safe.

What can you take for cold and flu when pregnant?

Safe OTC Cold and Flu Treatment to Use During Pregnancy

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Actifed.
• Saline nasal drops or spray.
• Sudafed.
• Tylenol Sinus.
• Tylenol Cold and Flu.
• Warm salt/water gargle.

What class is Sudafed in pregnancy?

Many health care providers recommend using medication that is considered a Category B drug, such as the decongestant Sudafed® or the antihistamine Claritin® when allergies strike. Category B drugs have been shown through animal testing to not harm an unborn baby when the mother takes the medication during pregnancy.

How do you decongest naturally?

7 Natural Remedies for Congestion Relief

1. Consider Some Alternatives to the Pharmacy. Getty Images. ...
2. Add Moisture to the Air With a Humidifier or Vaporizer. Thinkstock. ...
3. Hydrate and Soothe With Warm Soups and Teas. Getty Images. ...
4. Apply Hot or Cold Packs to Congested Sinuses. Thinkstock. ...
5. Revamp Your Nighttime Routine to Open Sinuses.

Is Decolgen a decongestant?

Decolgen^® Forte contains Phenylpropanolamine HCl, Chlorphenamine Maleate, and Paracetamol. Phenylpropanolamine HCl is a strong nasal decongestant, clears obstructed and congested air passages in a stuffy nose and clogged nasal sinuses, making breathing easier.

Is Benadryl a decongestant?

Benadryl and Sudafed belong to different drug classes. Benadryl is an antihistamine and Sudafed is a decongestant.

Is Benadryl safe during pregnancy?

Benadryl is considered to be safe during pregnancy. Doctors and nurses recommend this OTC medication to help relieve allergy symptoms, even while you're pregnant. Recent studies have found Benadryl to be safe. However, always remember that no medicine — prescription or OTC — is ever 100 percent safe during pregnancy.

Can you inhale menthol crystals when pregnant?

Menthol is a common ingredient of many throat lozenges, sprays, and topical ointments. There are no human studies on the use of menthol during pregnancy; thus, its risk is undetermined. The concentration of menthol in these products is low, and the risk of malformations is therefore believed to be small.

Can I use Vaposteam while pregnant?

Informational websites such as babycenter.com state that it's perfectly safe to use VapoRub during pregnancy. This can relieve a cough as well as a blocked nose.

Can decongestants cause miscarriage?

Does taking pseudoephedrine increase the chance of miscarriage? Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy. There are no studies looking at whether pseudoephedrine would increase the chance of miscarriage.

What if I accidentally took phenylephrine while pregnant?

Decongestants: Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine (Sudafed, DayQuil, Claritin-D), especially if taken during the first trimester, may cause stomach defects or affect blood flow to the placenta — though some doctors will recommend in limited amounts in the second and third trimesters.

How bad is Sudafed during pregnancy?

Avoid pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), since it may be associated with birth defects involving baby's abdominal wall. Also, decongestants (such as phenylephrine) may affect blood flow to the placenta and should generally be avoided throughout your pregnancy.

Can you use Sudafed when pregnant?

Pseudoephedrine is not recommended in pregnancy because it can reduce the blood flow in the placenta and to the baby.

Does Sudafed cause birth defects?

First-trimester use of phenylephrine, which is found in Sudafed among other products, was tied to an eight-fold higher risk of a heart defect called endocardial cushion defect. And phenylpropanolamine (Acutrim) was also linked to an eight-fold risk of defects of the ear and a three-fold increase in stomach defects.

Which antihistamine is best in pregnancy?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) have recommended chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine as the antihistamines of choice for pregnant women.