Can You Take Allergy Medicine While Pregnant?

Knowing how to deal with allergies in pregnancy can be tricky. Can you take allergy medicine while pregnant? We’ve got some answers for you.
Are you sniffing and sneezing and desperately searching for relief?

Allergies are never fun.

And if you’re pregnant, not knowing what to take to alleviate your symptoms can worsen the whole experience.

So, can you take allergy medication while pregnant? If so, what type?

Pull up a chair and grab a Kleenex, mama. We’ve got some answers for you.

In this article 📝

What to know about taking allergy medicine in pregnancy
In pregnancy, what are safe allergy medicines?
What can I do for my allergies while pregnant?

What to know about taking allergy medicine in pregnancy

There’s good news here: if you’re an allergy sufferer, there are quite a few allergy medicines that are safe to take while pregnant. Phew!

As a general rule, selected OTC antihistamines and nasal sprays should offer some relief without harming you or your baby.

But it’s probably a good idea to steer clear of decongestants.

That’s because some decongestants, including pseudoephedrine used in Sudafed, have been linked to birth differences in babies.

As with the use of all drugs when pregnant, we recommend chatting to your doctor or healthcare provider first.

They’ll be able to tell you what’s best for you and your unique pregnancy.

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In pregnancy, what are safe allergy medicines?

Here are a few allergy drugs that the FDA has approved for pregnant women:

Antihistamines

Your healthcare provider is likely to recommend one of these tried-and-tested options:

Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine) and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) have been used during pregnancy for a long time and are often the first drugs doctors recommend. Just be sure to stick to the recommended amount closely, as there are some potential links between high doses of Benadryl and pre-term labor.
Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine), which are newer drugs, come next. Your doctor may lean towards Chlor-Trimeton and Benadryl, though, because less research has been done into the effects of Claritin and Zyrtec.

Nasal sprays

Did you know that it’s not just your ankles that swell during pregnancy, but other parts of your body, too—including the mucous membranes in your nose!? It’s true!

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And it can make you feel very blocked up and stuffy, adding to your allergy woes.

Enter the nasal spray. You can try:

NasalCrom
Rhinocort
Flonase
Nasonex

Nasacort doesn’t always make the list because a 2018 study suggested it might be associated with a higher risk of respiratory birth differences.

Decongestants

Again, decongestants are often set aside in favor of antihistamines and nasal sprays during pregnancy.

Some studies suggest that decongestants can cause problems with the growth and development of babies’ intestines and faces.

What can I do for my allergies while pregnant?

If you’re looking for ways to prevent your allergies from cropping up in the first place or ideas for some drug-free remedies you can try, we’ve got a few tips for you.

Identify and stay away from your triggers. Although it’s not always easy, try to steer clear of anything that may set you off. No matter how adorable that cat is, it may be best not to pet it right now.
Drink lots of fluids. Staying hydrated can help you to feel better.
Make your own saline nose drops. One cup of warm water, ⅛ teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of baking soda gives you a saline solution you can use to flush out your nose.
Get moving. Did you know that a little exercise might help ease your allergies? It’s worth a shot!
Sleep with your head raised slightly. Sleeping with your head at 25 to 30 degrees can help. A pregnancy pillow might become your new best friend here.

We hope you’re on the mend soon, mama.