Happily, only a few drugs are known to be harmful to a developing fetus, and many can be used safely during pregnancy; some are even necessary. Always talk to your doctor or midwife before using medication to get the green light along with dosing and brand recommendations. Other medications to manage chronic illnesses such as asthma or diabetes are often okay to continue during pregnancy — but it depends on the medication and your situation, so always be sure to check with your doctor first.
In certain cases your practitioner may okay some medications for specific health conditions with close supervision:. Antibiotics can be a literal lifesaver when they're used to treat a bacterial infection.
If your doctor prescribes you an antibiotic during pregnancy, it's generally because the infection it's treating is more dangerous than any potential side effects of taking the drug. If your doctor prescribes you an antibiotic, it will generally be in the penicillin or erythromycin family. That said, antibiotics can also be overused when they're not necessary, leading to antibiotic-resistant infections. A few things to remember:. Some research suggests that certain antibiotics may be linked to a higher risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
This risk, however, is very low, and the illnesses the pregnant moms were being treated for could have been the cause for the miscarriages rather than the drugs themselves. Remember that while it's not wise to take antibiotics when they're not warranted e.
If your doctor prescribes antibiotics and you're concerned, ask about the potential risks and benefits. You've heard it before, but it bears repeating: Never take any medication, supplement or herbal remedy without checking with your health care provider first.
A few more tips to keep in mind:. If you have questions about how or when to take a medication, always talk to your practitioner first. Figuring out what's safe and what's not safe to take during pregnancy can be difficult. Fortunately, you don't have to go it alone. The U. Food and Drug Administration's FDA prescription drug labeling system offers detailed summaries of a drug's effects on pregnancy, lactation and "reproductive potential" i.
Consult a healthcare provider if you are already on a medication and plan to take Benadryl as well. Sometimes ingredients in one medication might interact with another, causing it to change what each does in your body.
To make sure there are no contraindications and adverse drug interactions between Benadryl and your medication, speak to a physician beforehand. Another kind of adverse interaction can happen between medication like Benadryl and alcohol. Alcohol is not considered safe to consume while pregnant regardless of medication, but since drinking alcohol can also increase drowsiness and decrease alertness, it is especially important not to mix the two.
Alcohol can worsen the side effects of Benadryl, causing you to take an even greater risk with your general safety. Pregnant people should be especially careful about long-term use of any medication since they are technically medicating for two, so consult with a physician if you feel like you cannot find relief from your symptoms. Although Benadryl is safe for use while pregnant, there are other over-the-counter medications that will address many allergy symptoms if you are looking for more options.
Pregnancy-safe home remedies can also help soothe allergy symptoms without the use of drugs. These therapies include washing nostrils with sterile water and placing petroleum jelly Vaseline around the opening of your nostrils to ease a dry nose. Try gargling with salt water to help relieve a sore or scratchy throat. For bothersome itchy nose and eyes, use saline nasal drops or saline eye drops.
You can also run a humidifier in your home to moisten the air and soothe irritated nasal passages. Limiting your exposure to allergens such as mold, pollen, and animal dander may lessen allergy triggers as well. This may mean staying indoors when the pollen count is highest in your area, or getting your home professionally cleaned to reduce animal dander and get rid of mold.
It can be miserable trying to endure allergies without intervention. If you're pregnant and needing relief from allergy symptoms, it is generally safe to take Benadryl to ease your sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. You'll just want to keep the side effects in mind. You can also try homeopathic methods like saline drops to ease some of the symptoms.
Either way, speak to a healthcare provider about allergy relief options, whether it's trying non-medical alternatives or taking an antihistamine like Benadryl. Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Cleveland Clinic.
Updated July 13, Food and Drug Administration. Updated October 1, American Family Physician. Over the Counter Medications in Pregnancy. October 15, Effects of fexofenadine, diphenhydramine, and alcohol on driving performance. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in the Iowa driving simulator.
Ann Intern Med. As mentioned, some early studies reported that taking Benadryl and other medications with diphenhydramine could cause abnormalities at birth. These included cleft lip, cleft palate , and other problems with the development of the upper mouth and lower nose. This research shows that taking Benadryl at any stage of your pregnancy, even the first trimester, is safe.
Benadryl is a drug, and it can still cause the usual side effects in anyone. Take Benadryl sparingly. Less common side effects of Benadryl that can still hit like a brick wall while pregnant include:. Whether you normally take Benadryl for allergy relief or to get some much-needed sleep, there are natural alternatives that might work for you. Try these pregnancy-safe home remedies to help soothe allergy symptoms:. Always check with a doctor before taking any supplements, especially while pregnant.
You may want to ask about:. Benadryl is considered to be safe during pregnancy. Recent studies have found Benadryl to be safe. However, always remember that no medicine — prescription or OTC — is ever percent safe during pregnancy.
Benadryl and other drugstore medications are still powerful drugs. They can also give you unwanted side effects. Take Benadryl sparingly and only when you really need to. You may want to try natural remedies after confirming their safety with your doctor to help soothe your allergy symptoms instead. Some medicines are considered unsafe to take during pregnancy. They may be damaging to you or your developing baby. Discover some medicines to avoid….
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