These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Show Being pregnant means having to be extra mindful of what you take, including medications you use to treat allergies. Generally speaking, antihistamines and nasal sprays are considered safer to use during pregnancy than decongestants. But there is a lot of nuance to this that is important to know before heading to the pharmacy. Since pregnancy sometimes makes allergies worse or causes sinus issues with similar symptoms, what's known as pregnancy rhinitis, it can be helpful to learn about your options before you are sniffling and sneezing and discuss them with your healthcare provider. This article walks you through the allergy pills and nasal sprays that effective for you and safe for your unborn baby. You'll also learn about non-drug ways to manage allergy symptoms during pregnancy. fizkes / iStock / Getty ImagesAntihistaminesWhen you encounter something you're allergic to, your body releases a chemical called histamine. That's what leads to allergy symptoms as your body tries to flush out the allergen. Antihistamines are drugs that counter this allergic response. They have long been used during pregnancy, and many of them are generally considered safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used to rank medications' risk in pregnancy using the letters A, B, C, D, and X. A was reserved for the safest drugs, and X meant they shouldn't be taken. Now, the agency has changed the labeling system to include informative statements instead of a letter grade. However, you may still find the old letter grades online. Most antihistamines were classified as B or C:
Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) and Benedryl (diphenhydramine) have the longest record of use and are considered first-line treatments. Claritin (loratidine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine), both newer drugs, are the next best options. They technically have a better safety profile but they also have much less research and real-world data behind them. That makes experts more comfortable with the older drugs. Some drugs in this class need more research. Others have tentative links to birth defects if they're taken during the first trimester. BrandGenericPregnancy*Breastfeeding**BenedryldiphenhydramineHigh doses linked to contractionsLarge/frequent doses linked to irritability, colic In-Depth: Antihistamines During Pregnancy DecongestantsDecongestants narrow blood vessels in your nose, which widens nasal passages and helps relieve stuffiness. The most common ones include Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and Suphedrin PE/Sudafed PE (phenylephrine). These drugs aren't considered as safe as antihistamines during pregnancy. The overall safety of decongestants isn't established. Studies have suggested possible links between first-trimester use and birth defects, including:
It's considered safest to avoid decongestants during the first trimester. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you could consider taking them later in your pregnancy. Nasal SpraysNasal sprays work directly on the inflamed tissues in your nose to help you breathe better. Their safety during pregnancy varies. A benefit of sprays is that they work quickly and at the site of the problem. Many of them don't get into your blood at all, meaning they don't reach a developing baby. Some of the less-safe ones are absorbed into the bloodstream in small amounts. That raises the possibility that they'll have an impact on your baby. BrandGenericPregnancy*Breastfeeding**NasalCromcromolynNo known problemsLevels negligible Oxymetazoline and xylometazoline aren't recommended. That's not solely due to risks to your baby, though. Frequent use of these medications can make your symptoms worse by causing rebound congestion. That means the medication begins to increase your congestion rather than clearing it up. Nasal Sprays for Allergy Symptoms Stopping MedicationsDon't stop any prescription allergy or asthma medications without talking to your healthcare providers. Leaving symptoms untreated can open up you and your baby to serious risks. Is It Really Allergies?Rhinitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes in your nose. It's usually caused by allergies or a viral illness like the common cold. But it can also strike when you're pregnant—and it has nothing to do with allergies or acute illness. Research shows this pregnancy rhinitis affects between 20% and 40% of pregnancies. Symptoms include:
Researchers suspect hormonal changes in pregnancy make some mucus-producing glands more active. Also, your blood volume increases during pregnancy. That means blood vessels widen and take up more space. In a tight space like nasal passages, this can lead to allergy-like symptoms. A healthcare provider uses the following criteria to diagnose pregnancy rhinitis:
If you have rhinitis symptoms but antihistamines aren't helping, this may be why. Talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of pregnancy rhinitis. Can I Keep Getting Allergy Shots?Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, are considered safe to continue when you get pregnant. However, they're usually not started during pregnancy due to the risk of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction). Preventing Anaphylaxis Non-Drug TreatmentsWant to avoid the worry over medications? Or maybe you want more symptom relief than medications offer. You have several safe options you can use instead of or along with allergy drugs:
What About Supplements?Some nutritional or herbal supplements may help ease allergy symptoms. But don't assume they're safe just because they're natural. Plenty of natural products can harm you and your baby. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting supplements. Also, do what you can to limit contact with allergens:
It's a bad idea to let your allergy symptoms go unchecked. If these methods don't work, safeguard your health by knowing what you can take when symptoms crop up. Manage Allergies With Natural Remedies SummaryYou have several options for safe allergy treatments during pregnancy. Antihistamines are the drug of choice for pregnancy. They're not all equal, though. The safest ones are Chlor-Trimeton, Benedryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec. Oral decongestants are less safe. Some nasal sprays are considered safe. The favored ones are NasalCrom and Atrovent. Afrin and Triaminic spays are discouraged as they pose possible problems for you and your baby. Non-drug options include saline nasal spray, exercise, acupuncture, and avoiding allergens. A Word From VerywellWhether or not to take any medications during pregnancy is both a medical and personal decision that is best made with the help of your healthcare team, including your pharmacist. Still, with knowledge about the options in hand, the choice can seem like a scary one to make. You may want to consider the severity of your symptoms and the extent to which they are impacting you day to day. But regardless, remember that any recommended treatments are so because of research that supports them. Can you take a daily allergy pill while pregnant?You have several options for safe allergy treatments during pregnancy. Antihistamines are the drug of choice for pregnancy. They're not all equal, though. The safest ones are Chlor-Trimeton, Benedryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec.
Is Zyrtec OK while pregnant?Many allergy medications really aren't safe to take during pregnancy. But loratadine (found in Claritin®) and cetirizine (found in Zyrtec® and Alleroff®) are two over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine medications that doctors consider as being safe to use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, Dr. Zanotti says.
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