Q. I am pregnant and I am exposed to so many people that are sick. Can you tell me what medications I might be able to take if I get sick?
A. Pregnancy is often a time of wonder and excitement but unfortunately, pregnant women can still find themselves afflicted with illnesses that can prove to be uncomfortable. Before you were supporting a baby within your body, you may not have thought twice about taking medication to ease your discomfort. Now that you are pregnant, you now have to think twice and ensure that whatever you are putting into your body will be safe for your baby. Determining what is safe is dependent on a few factors such as how healthy the mother is, which medication is in question and at what dose, how many weeks along you are in your pregnancy, and the risk of not medicating on the mother and/or baby.
As there is every winter season, there appears to be many people sick with a variety of illnesses such as colds, flu, stomach bugs. When choosing what products are available to take, you may notice there are many products that offer an All-In-One symptom relief which may sound enticing. However, it is far better to assess and treat only the symptoms you are experiencing. Remember, less medicine is best when it comes to taking medications during pregnancy which would be difficult to do when you look at products aimed at multi symptom control.
Some common medications you may consider if you get sick with a cold or flu during your pregnancy are:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Acetaminophen has been shown to be safe and effective for reducing headaches, fever, and body aches. It is recommended to take the lowest effective dose and for the shortest length of time. The usual dosing for acetaminophen is 325-1000mg every 4 hours to a maximum of 4000mg in a day. Some experts believe the daily maximum dose should be reduced to 3000mg, especially if you are looking at taking acetaminophen for many days in a row.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve): Ibuprofen and naproxen fall into the category of medicines better known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). As you can guess from its name, NSAIDs reduce inflammation but they are also effective at reducing pain as well as fever. As a general rule, it is best to avoid NSAIDs during pregnancy however there are scenarios that may warrant an anti-inflammatory. In these cases, knowing how many weeks you have been pregnant is critical. NSAIDs taken close to conceiving have been shown to increase the risk of miscarriage. NSAIDs have also been associated with kidney impairment/issues in the fetus when taken as early as 20 weeks gestation, therefore it is suggested to avoid them when you reach being pregnant for 20 weeks. If you are also affected with conditions that may warrant treatment with NSAIDs such as rheumatic and/or musculoskeletal diseases, under the supervision of your health care provider, they may be taken for your first two trimesters or up to 28 weeks gestation. Beyond 30 weeks, NSAIDs may cause more harm to your baby.
Dextromethorphan (DM): Dextromethorphan is an effective medicine to help reduce your cough and is intended to be used primarily for dry coughs. DM has been shown to be safe during pregnancy at usual dosing. That being said, before choosing a DM product, look at the ingredients as some syrups may contain alcohol which you will want to avoid. Check with your pharmacist before selecting DM to ensure it is safe for you specifically as there are some known drug interactions which could increase its concentration.
Guaifenesin: Guaifenesin is an expectorant which ideally helps thin the mucous secretions that accompany colds and flu. It does not typically stop you from coughing but rather it helps you cough up and out the excess phlegm you have in your airways. Guaifenesin is shown to be safe to take at usual dosing during your pregnancy however, ensure you avoid products that may contain alcohol.
Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine: Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are common decongestants to help reduce nasal/ head congestion due to colds. They may cause a constriction of the blood vessels which increases your heart rate and makes your heart work harder. If pseudoephedrine is taken during the first trimester (first 12 weeks gestation), there is an increased risk of abnormalities forming in your baby.
Oxymetazoline (Dristan nasal): Oxymetazoline is a nasal decongestant. You would think that a medicine that you use topically in the nose should be free of ill effects. That is unfortunately not the case. There have been reports of adverse effects when large doses have been used or when used for an extended length of time. Even people who are not pregnant should resort to using nasal decongestants for no longer than 3 to 5 days.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (ChlorTripolon): These are antihistamines that are commonly found in cough, cold and flu remedies but also may be taken as a medication on its own. They are not recommended to take during pregnancy as it has been shown to cause an increase in the fetal heart rate, respiratory depression and possible withdrawal symptoms upon delivery.
If you are concerned about taking any or all of the above medications during your pregnancy, try one of these tried and true older treatments:
Salt water gargles: You may want to try gargling with warm salt water if you are experiencing a sore throat. Just remember to spit it out after gargling and not swallow the salt water!
Mentholated rub (Vicks Vaporub): You may apply this on your chest to help reduce chest congestion or cough.
Saline nasal preparations (Neti pots, saline spray): These may be effective at reducing congestion in the nose.
Over the coming weeks, we will be providing information on other common ailments seen during pregnancy.
For more information on this or any other topic, contact your pharmacists at Gordon Pharmasave, Your Health and Wellness Destination..
