How to Take Antihistamines During Pregnancy

Being sick during pregnancy can be a very uncomfortable situation. Most women try not to take medications during pregnancy in order to avoid any possible interactions with their fetuses. However, it is not necessary for pregnant women to suffer through colds and allergies without relief. Several over-the-counter medications, including antihistamines, are safe to use cautiously during pregnancy.

Instructions

• 1

  Check with your doctor before you take any sort of antihistamine, vitamin, supplement or herbal remedy when you are pregnant. He will have access to the most up-to-date information about drug safety and can pass it along to you. He can also help you determine whether the benefits of taking antihistamines will outweigh any risks that medication may pose to your unborn baby.

• 2

  Try to avoid using any type of medications, including antihistamines, during the first trimester of pregnancy. This is the stage where your baby's major organs and systems are developing. Many doctors will let their patients use medications as needed in later stages of pregnancy but prefer them to abstain during the first 13 weeks.

• 3

  Choose an approved-for-pregnancy, second-generation antihistamine when you are pregnant. Drugs in this newer class of antihistamines, containing loratadine, cetirizine and fexophenodine, are less likely to cause extreme fatigue than some of the older drugs used for colds and allergies. Pregnancy can be draining enough on your energy without additional side effects.

• 4

  Increase your intake of water when you are taking antihistamines during pregnancy. Common side effects of antihistamines are a dry mouth and nose. Pregnancy is a time when you cannot afford to become dehydrated.

• 5

  Use antihistamines only at the dosages recommended by your doctor, taking care not to overdose. Diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine, can mimic the hormone oxytocin when used in high doses, Oxytocin can induce labor, which is dangerous to the health of a pre-term baby.

• 6

  Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in the frequency in your baby's movement or increased contractions when you are taking antihistamines or any other medication during pregnancy.