Flu Meds Safe For Pregnancy

What Medicines Can I Take While Im Breastfeeding

If you need to take medicines while you are breastfeeding, check with your doctor or pharmacist that they are safe for you and your baby. Even when your medicine is considered safe during breastfeeding, it is best to breastfeed your baby before you take your medicine.

While you are breastfeeding, its especially important to maintain good hygiene to reduce the chance of spreading the infection to your baby and other members of your household.

Here are some common medicines and some information about their use while youre breastfeeding.

There is limited scientific information about many herbal or complementary products or medicines and their safety while breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding and want to use a herbal medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist about their safety and effectiveness before you do.

Can Flu Vaccination Result In Miscarriage

Multiple studies have shown that people who have received flu shots during pregnancy have not had a higher risk of spontaneous abortion . One of these studies was conducted using CDCs Vaccine Safety Datalink . The study covered three flu seasons looking for any increased risk for miscarriage among pregnant people who had received a flu vaccine during their pregnancy. The study found no increased risk for miscarriage after flu vaccination during pregnancy. This study was conducted as a follow-up to a previous smaller study. The prior study examined data from the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 flu seasons and identified an association between flu vaccination early in pregnancy and spontaneous abortion particularly among people who had received flu vaccine during the previous flu season. However, the smaller study had several limitations, including small sample size, which could have led to imprecise results. This study was the only analysis to show that association no other studies had found an increased risk of miscarriage following flu vaccination. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices , the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and CDC recommend that pregnant people get a flu vaccine during any trimester of their pregnancy because flu poses a danger to pregnant people and a flu vaccine can prevent serious illness, including hospitalization, during pregnancy.

Flu Vaccine Safety And Pregnancy

Questions & Answers

• Can a breastfeeding person get a flu vaccine?

Note: There is no recommendation that pregnant people or people with pre-existing medical conditions need to get special permission or written consent from their doctor or health care professional for influenza vaccination if they get vaccinated at a worksite clinic, pharmacy or other location outside of their physicians office. Pregnant people should not get nasal spray flu vaccine. More information is available at Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines.

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Mild And Severe Allergies

Mild allergies may respond well to lifestyle measures. If you need some extra help, the following OTC oral antihistamines are generally considered safe:

• diphenhydramine

If your allergies are more severe, your doctor may suggest taking an OTC corticosteroid spray at a low dose along with an oral antihistamine. Options include:

You may also try the following lifestyle changes:

• Avoid going outdoors or opening windows on high pollen days.
• Take off clothing youve been wearing outdoors. Rinse off pollen from skin and hair with a quick shower.
• Wear a mask while completing outdoor chores or enlist the help of someone else for tasks like mowing.
• Rinse nasal passages with saline spray or a neti pot.

What Medications Are Safe During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or are planning to be, one of the first questions youll have is, what medications can I take and which ones are not safe during pregnancy? For the best answer to this question, start by having a discussion with your doctor. Discuss what medications you are currently taking and be sure to follow his or her advice. In general, here is a list of common drugs that are safe during pregnancy.

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What To Know About Pregnancy And The Flu

Pregnancy comes with a wide range of changessome you might expect, and others you might not. While you likely won’t be surprised by things like hormone changes and morning sickness, you may not be fully prepared for how pregnancy impacts your immune system.

When you’re pregnant, it’s more difficult for your immune system to fight off infections, including the flu. Compared to non-pregnant women of the same age, pregnant women are more likely to become very sick if they do catch the flu.

“If you get the flu while pregnant, it can lead to and hospitalization,” explains obstetrician at Main Line Health. “And there are some studies that suggest your baby might be at risk of premature birth and low birth weight.”

Staying healthy is key to a smooth pregnancy. As you take your prenatal vitamins, stay on top of , eat a healthy diet and be sure to protect yourself from the flu. Here’s how:

Other Cold Medicine For Pregnant Woman

The sad news is that most common cold medicine is not super helpful in general.

The main cold symptoms that people take meds for are coughing and congestion.

However, a lot of people take Sudafed for a cold. It is probably the most popular of the oral decongestants I have a whole post on Sudafed during pregnancy that explains all of when it is safe to take, and when it is not.

Ultimately, Id try to stay away from Suafed when possible. It can dehydrate you which can be really problematic when you are growing a baby. It can also raise your blood pressure, which can also be a big problem for pregnant women.

It is recommend you NOT take Sudafed in either of its forms during your first trimester.

Some providers of pregnant patients are comfortable with it during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, but that is when blood pressure can creep up so be sure to talk to them.

AND, remember that often times it doesnt do all that much for you.

Also, many pregnant women have pregnancy induced rhinitis where they feel like they have a stuffy nose their entire pregnancy . It is likely just better to take a few sick days and just blow that runny nose instead of having he adverse effects from the medicine.

Im also going to talk more about sinus rinsing later in this post and I think its a GREAT, safer alternative to taking Sudafed.

Oh, and if you think its allergies you can consider antihistamine with your provider . Fun fact Unisom can also help with allergies.

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Getting The Flu Shot While Pregnant

Doctors and government health agencies strongly encourage women to get the flu shot during pregnancy. The vaccine changes from year to year, as its designed to protect against the influenza viruses that research suggests will be the most common that season. And experts agree the benefits of getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy are numerous. According to the CDC, the flu vaccine in pregnant women has been proven to reduce the risk of infection by approximately 50 percent, and it reduces the risk of hospitalization by an average of 40 percent. Even if you do wind up getting the flu, if youve been vaccinated, youre less likely to develop serious complications associated with the illness, Watkin says.

Getting the flu shot while pregnant also offers big benefits for baby. Infants under 6 months are too young to get the flu vaccine, but the CDC notes that getting the vaccine during pregnancy can pass protective antibodies to baby and offer protection from a flu infection for several months after birth.

Worried that the flu vaccine will make you sick? Dont be. Its impossible to get the flu from the flu shot because theres no live flu virus in the vaccine, Cackovic says. Other than mild pain or tenderness where the vaccine was injected, Watkin says there arent any notable side effects to getting the flu shot while pregnant, and you can get it at any point during pregnancy.

About the experts:

Plus, more from The Bump:

How Is Flu During Pregnancy Diagnosed

To diagnose the flu, your healthcare provider may use a flu test such as:

• Rapid influenza diagnostic test : This test shows results in 10 to 15 minutes.
• Rapid molecular assay: This test shows results in 15 to 20 minutes.

Your healthcare provider will wipe the inside of your nose or the back of your throat with a long cotton swab. The test should be quick and painless.

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What Cold Medicine Is Safe For Pregnancy And Breastfeeding

The common cold can cause a variety of symptoms, such as runny nose, fever, headache, body aches, cough, sore throat and congestion. Many over-the-counter cold medicines combine multiple medications that treat these symptoms into a single tablet or liquid. It’s important to review the active ingredients in these products when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding to ensure they are safe for both you and your child. In most cases, it’s best to avoid combination products and instead use single-ingredient products to help relieve the symptoms you are experiencing.

Which Cough Syrup Is Safe For Use During Pregnancy

One thing that I think a lot of people dont think about anymore is that sometimes cold syrups help to stop the cough by coating your throat to stop the cough . So, sometimes taking the actual syrup is better than the pills that many of them are offered.

But, once again look for syrups that only have one active ingredient if possible.

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Cold Medicines That Can Be Taken While Pregnant

14 August, 2017

Pregnant women may develop a cold at one time or another during the nine months of pregnancy. Severe cold symptoms may require the use of over-the-counter medications for relief. According to the American Family Physician, most over-the-counter drugs have an excellent safety profile, while some have unproven safety or are known to adversely affect the fetus. Always contact your physician prior to taking any medication during your pregnancy.

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What Medicines Can I Take During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, you may have conditions that need treatment with medicines. Some medicines are not safe to use during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, its important to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Here are some common medicines and information about their use, during pregnancy.

• Paracetamol is considered safe at all stages of pregnancy.
• Ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should not be used during pregnancy unless your doctor has prescribed them.
• Some cough medicines are safe during pregnancy, but not all types. If you are pregnant and feel very unwell with cold symptoms, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• Saline nasal sprays are safe to use during pregnancy. Decongestant nasal sprays are generally safe to use during pregnancy.
• Oral decongestant medicines, such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are not recommended during pregnancy.

There is limited scientific information about many herbal or complementary products or medicines and their safety during pregnancy. If you are thinking about using herbal medicines during pregnancy, its a good idea to check with your doctor or pharmacist about their safety and effectiveness.

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Safe Cold Remedies During Pregnancy

You can also take steps to avoid contracting the flu while you are pregnant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that changes to the heart, lungs, and immune system during pregnancy make women more prone to experiencing severe effects of the flu. For this reason, the CDC recommends that pregnant women should get a flu shot. Research suggests that getting a flu vaccination reduces the risk that a woman will be hospitalized for flu-related complications by approximately 40%.

Other preventative steps you can take include washing your hands frequently, stay away from people who are sick, avoid touching your mouth and nose, and avoiding crowds.

This is not to suggest that all drugs have a potential for harm. In many cases, they don’t. But, in others, we simply don’t know. For this reason alone, you should adhere to your doctor’s advice to avoid all medications for at least the first 12 weeks.

Does A Cough And Cold During Pregnancy Affect The Baby

When you become pregnant, your immune system is likely to change. As a result of these changes, you may contract a cold or cough at some point during your pregnancy. In addition, your illness may last longer. The good news is that even though you probably feel fatigued, the symptoms of a cold or flu are not typically dangerous to your baby. However, it is important to take the necessary measures to avoid contracting a cold or cough during pregnancy and to treat it once you get one.

• Get ample rest Take naps, sleep through the night, and sit down to relax. These are great ways to give your body much-needed downtime. Learn more about the importance of bed rest during pregnancy.
• Drink plenty of fluids Drink water, juice, or broth to add necessary fluids back into your body.
• Eat well Even if you cannot stomach larger meals, try eating small portions often.
• Reduce congestion Place a humidifier in your room, keep your head elevated on your pillow while resting, or use nasal strips.
• Alleviate your sore throat Suck on ice chips, drink warm tea, or gargle with warm salt water.

It is best to reduce the number of over-the-counter medications you take. Many medications you normally would use to treat the symptoms of your cold are not safe to take during your pregnancy. The following is a list of medications that pose little risk to your baby during pregnancy however, it is best to consult with your doctor before taking any medications to relieve your symptoms.

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Heartburn And Acid Reflux

OTC antacids containing alginic acid, aluminum, magnesium, and calcium are generally safe during pregnancy:

• aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide
• calcium carbonate

For severe heartburn, your doctor may suggest taking H2 blockers, such as:

• ranitidine . Ranitidine, brand name Zantac, is now marketed as Zantac 360, which contains a different active ingredient . Famotidine is in the same class as ranitidine and works the same way but has not been found to contain unacceptable levels of NDMA.

Lifestyle changes may also help take the edge off heartburn:

• Wear loose-fitting clothing that doesnt put pressure on your abdomen.
• Try keeping a food diary to help identify certain foods that may trigger your reflux.
• Wait three hours to lie down after meals. Avoid late meals right before bedtime.
• Sleep with your head elevated at night.
• Eat small meals throughout the day.

Speak with your doctor if your heartburn becomes severe. In rare cases, it may be a sign of HELLP syndrome. This is a serious pregnancy complication.

How Is The Flu Treated During Pregnancy

When diagnosed early, your healthcare provider may prescribe an antiviral medication. While antivirals dont cure the flu, they can stop symptoms from getting worse. Many providers prefer the oral antiviral oseltamivir for pregnant people. It has the most studies verifying its safety.

Talk to your provider about other medications you can safely take during pregnancy. These may include:

• Acetaminophen to reduce flu symptoms, especially fever.
• Dextromethorphan , guaifenesin or cough drops to relieve respiratory symptoms.

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Can I Take Cold Medicine While Pregnant Or Breastfeeding

There are certain cold medicines that are considered safe to take while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The safety of using over-the-counter cold medication while pregnant or breastfeeding depends on the specific medicines within the products, how far along you are in your pregnancy, and any other medical conditions you may have. You should only use cold medicines for the shortest time possible to help with your symptoms. Always be sure to check with your health care provider or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter cold medicines during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

The American Pregnancy Association recommends limiting the amount of over-the-counter cold medicines you take and trying certain home remedies to alleviate symptoms. They promote washing your hands regularly, drinking plenty of fluids, getting ample amounts of rest, eating well, and only using medications to treat the symptoms you are experiencing. As a home remedy for sinus congestion, they recommend using a humidifier, keeping your head elevated on a pillow while resting, and/or using adhesive nasal strips. For sore throat, they recommend sucking on ice chips, drinking warm herbal tea , or gargling warm salt water.1

Common Medications To Avoid

Knowing what not to take is almost more important than knowing which medications are safe to take during pregnancy. There are a number of medications to avoid while pregnant unless recommended by your doctor. These include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin and Advil , Bayer , and Aleve and Naprosyn , higher doses of which can cause premature blood vessel closure in the baby. However, low-dose aspirin is now routinely recommended for other indications.
• Any cold remedy containing alcohol, including Benadryl and NyQuil
• Codeine, a narcotic drug which may cause fetal respiratory depression
• Bactrim , an antibiotic that can interfere with folic acid metabolism while stimulating the production of bilirubin , both of which are not good for the baby. The concern for folic acid metabolism is only in the first trimester, and the concern for jaundice is only after 32 weeks gestation. The medication can otherwise be used without concern, especially when treatment is necessary.
• Pseudoephedrine- and phenylephrine-based decongestants, both of which may cause the constriction of blood vessels, potentially increasing the risk of a specific birth defect in the first trimester and risk of elevated blood pressures if used later in pregnancy.

If your cold or flu is severe and you are experiencing chest pains, are coughing up discolored mucus, or have a fever over 102o F, call your doctor immediately.

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