Cold Medicines While Pregnant

I wouldn't take anything. They are constantly finding out that the ingredients in these are damaging or even fatal. I suffered through all the colds and illnesses while I was pregnant and breastfeeding all 3 of my kids. Drink lots of warm tea with honey. It helps the throat. Drink lots of O.J. and eat garlic and onions. Also Mangos are antiviral. Good luck.

I was always told REGULAR strength sudafed, nothing else. If you want to take cough drops, try Ludens or some sort of Vit C drop. That may help you get better quicker. Unfortunately, the safest thing for baby is no meds at all, so you might be forced to ride it out. Good luck to you!

You can take Sudafed (or the equivalent). You can also take Benedryl. If the cough syrup says DM - don't take it. Essentially, you want to stay away from certain antihistimines (although Benedryl is a safe one to take). I had the same problem during all three of my pregnancies. I essentially told my doctor to FIND something for me to take or I would be knocking on his door.

DONT LISTEN TO US. Call your OB office and ask them. ONLY they can assess your medical history and give you good advice. I was told Psudeophed would be okay for me, but have not risk factors - you might. Regular Tynelol is okay, but all other types (Cold and Flu, Night time, etc) have other stuff in them that is NOT okay - call your doc and ask and only listen to your doctor. Not a nurse!

Because you are early in your pregnancy.. the best drug for you is no drugs at all.

If you are absolutely miserabe and you cant sleep then you might need to take something to feel better.

My dr said I could take tylenol. plain psuedophed...(but there is controversey over pseudophed in pregnancy)

I could take robitussin cough medicine- where hte active ingredient is guaffinsin.

Try taking a hot steamy shower to help clear up your sinuses..That is very effective and perfectly safe for the baby..

But listen to your dr.. he knows what is best.

You need to trust the doctor on this one, and even ask them to pull your chart. I was advsied by a nurse to use benedryl for a rash while I was pregnant, my blood pressure raised and low and behold I had to have a c-section within days of using it because it would not come down. Of course I was only a few weeks away from my due date, but I never even dialated at the time of delivery.

Go with the doctor/pharmasist recomendation not a friend.

sorry to give the bad news, but decongestants are out if your Dr. said no.... Sudafed's old formulation was pseudephedrine, but it has been reformulated with phenylephrine. Check with your OB/gyn doc if they are OK with phenylephrine. Phenylephrine is safer, but both affect your (and your baby's) blood pressure . When your Dr. said take Tylenol, they meant plain tylenol, not with any other ingredients. Follow your doctor's instructions..... you are taking a chance with any other medications. Friends may have taken things with healthy babies and no problems, but it is risky.

I had a rip snorting bad cold when pregnant. Hot liquids help, but remember to be careful of caffeine, so think decaf coffee or tea. Tylenol will help with the fever and help a bit with the aches, but the stuff that will help with the cough, congestion, runny nose stuff you will not be able to get at the drug store. Think grocery store instead. The old staple, chicken soup, works because onions and garlic help to break up mucus. Think any food with onions and garlic... chicken soup is fine, but so is onion soup and a lot of other choices. I did well with chinese hot and sour soup. Mint is also helpful, can use foods with fresh mint, like tabbouleh, or drink peppermint tea. Beyond that.... lots of liquids, which will help thin the mucus. Avoid dairy products for a few days.... dairy seems to thicken mucus. Ginger seems to help with the nausea and to clear the sinuses a bit, too. This will be pretty unpleasant, not being able to take cold medications, but a healthy baby is worth it.
get well soon, L.

While I was pregnant (oh so long ago) my Doctor would only let me take Sudafed.

Good Luck!!

The person below's list was fine, always go by your Ob's info and not a friends. The cold and flu added to stuff is not always safe. Sorry there isn't much help for you-
Tylenol Sudafed and rest.
Good Luck!
C.

Back when I had pneumonia in 1992, I was told that the only approved thing to take was Sinutab Extra Strength (white and orange box). The doctors were very clear that I was not to take Sudafed or anything with pseodophendrine in it. I have stuck to that all these years and had no problem with any of my 3 pregnancies. But, things change over time, so who knows now. All I know is Sudafed works great and I've used it since 1992. Hope this info helps you. I hope you get better soon!

Oh, one more thing, Lemon tea with added lemon and honey will really, really help! Even suck on a teaspoon of honey to help with that sore throat, while you drink your tea. You will feel better in no time!

I'm also preggo and cold season isn't fun!!

The info my office gave me is that these medications are safe to take:
Halls cough drops, Cepacol lozenges, Chloroseptic, Robitussin DM, Tylenol, and Sudafed.

I personally will only take Tylenol but I also use Vicks Vabor Rub and Breath Right Strips. Hope you feel better soon!

I feel for you! I got sick three times in my first trimester. It's no fun - especially if you already have a little one that you have to take care of. My doctor said I could only have Tylenol (just the pain reliever/fever reducer - not the cold medication) and Sudafed (but the original kind, no fancy versions). When I was feeling my worst, I finally caved in and took some Sudafed and it did absolutely nothing to relieve my symptoms. Hopefully, it'll work for you. I just had to suffer through my colds. Sniff, sniff!

I was told only regular Sudafed (in the red box behind the counter) and regular Robitussiun (sp) for the cough. I actually had both given to me when I was in labor because I had such a bad cold. I know every doctor is different so I would go with what your office says. Mine was very specific that I could take NOTHING that was a combined thing (cold and cough together) and only the 2 things mentioned.

I hope you feel better son.

S. ~
You're in your first trimester (or so), right? That's when you need to be the most careful because the baby's brain and neuro system are developing. Tylenol is always safe. Sudafed is safe later in the pregnancy, but I'm not positive in the 1st trimester. Hall's might help some. I would check to see if you can take Robitussin for the cough. Your OB is the best one to check with, the pharmacist has a tendency to say alot of things aren't safe when they're actually OK. Saline nose drops/spray might help with the stuffy nose. If your drainage is yellow or green, you probably need some antibiotics; if it's clear, then it's a virus and antibiotics don't help. A vaporizor might help with adding moisture to the air for you. Tea with lemon, but NOT honey....
hope that helps some!
D. (OB nurse)

I took a few Tylenol while pregnant with my daughter b/c I had migraines. I had a few colds over both pregnancies and never took anything. The medications may relieve the symptoms temporarily, but will not help you recover faster. Try warm showers, lots of liquids, chix soup.

Feel better soon!

HOmeopathic medicines!!
I also was advised tylenol but not cold&flu... but I prefer to keep it as natural as possible... and Homeopathic will not only help but will strenghthen your and your babies immune systems. Your baby will have these wonderful antibodies in high concentration!!
Look online to see what ones are best... or go to Whole FOods, or a local Health food store and the bottles typically say what symptoms they serve.

When I was pregnant, I got a bad cold and I was told all I could take was Benydril ... nothing else because cold medicine containes pseodophedrine ... Sudafed might be okay as long as it doesn't have pseodophedrine ... ask your dr. about what kind of sudafed you can take. Good luck

I am pregnant as well and my doctor said that I could take Sudafed, Robitussen (might really help with your cold), Zrtec and Claritan. Hope you feel better soon!

Hi! I am in the same boat as you---due in July and sick- ugh! I've been relying on my netti pot for the past week. They are sold pretty much everywhere now- CVS, Meijer etc. The first time you use it, it's awkward and feels funny, but I swear it's been a life saver!! It's definitely worth checking out. As far as other meds, I haven't taken anything- my doctor allowed Sudafed w/ my 1st baby, but has removed it from his okay list this time around. Now, for colds, his practice only suggests chlortimetron (sp?). I'm also using Breathe Better Rub by All Terrain- it's wonderful- a natural alternative to Vicks. For my burning throat, I've been drinking LOTS of tea w/ honey and eating fruit ice. I sure hope something helps you out. Good luck!

My general outlook is to only take meds when I absolutely need them. I have taken meds while pregnant and have no side effects to my baby. Sudafed never worked for me. Just use your common sense. If your pregnancy is risky to begin with, then try the natural remedies and stick it out. If your pregnancy is healthy and you are miserable (like I was) take a shot of nyquil and get a good night's sleep. A good rest is the best way for your body to heal itself. If your daughter still takes a nap, try to rest during that time also. Tea or hot water with honey is good for a sore throat, and the steam from a shower is great for the sinus pressure.
Good Luck, I hope you get some relief soon.

Sudafed is definitely safe.

I had a terrible cold while I was pregnant last winter and my doc said the only thing I COULD take was Sudafed (same with breastfeeding). He said not to take anything with EPHEDRINE. I have problems taking cold meds when not pregnant (they make me jittery and hyper) and Sudafed is the only thing that works. I took Sudafed several times while pregnant with my son and I will tell you that he is VERY LAID BACK and fat and jolly, so I really don't think that the Sudafed had a dramatic effect on him. Also, I've taken Sudafed several times in the months since I had him (he was exclusively breastfed until he started eating solids at 7 months and he is 9 months old today) and I've never noticed an effect on him.
GOOD LUCK. Hope you feel better. I have found that nothing works so well as a hot bath, hot tea, and an early bedtime for getting better.

Sorry your so sick. My tip is for helping avoid colds, so think of this for next time. I use a neti pot, a little tea pot used to wash out the sinuses. Sounds yucky, but it works great. Use it with the first signs of congestion, you won't get that post nasal drip that sets the cold into your chest.
It's just water and salt(ph balance the water) all natural no side effects. I use a saline spray bottles to help my daughter, she knows it works for her. And now asks for me to help her with it. Good luck, A.

http://www.himalayaninstitute.org/Netipot/NetiPotGateway....