Is it Safe to Take Cough Medicines If I Think I'm Pregnant?

During the first trimester, a great deal of development takes place, so you must take caution before taking any kind of medication, including cough medicines, because many side effects are unknown. There are some low-risk cough medicines you can take, but if you have a cough, there are alternatives that may work just as well.

Identification

• Prior to taking any cough medication, check with your doctor. It's best if you can avoid taking any medication at all during the first trimester, as this is a critical period of development for the baby.

Considerations

• Several over-the-counter medications are considered low-risk and may be taken during pregnancy as long as you adhere to the recommended dosage.

Prevention/Solution

• To help remove excess mucus, you may take Hytuss, Mucinex, Naldecon Senior EX or Robitussin. Safe cough suppressants include Benylin Adult, Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough, Scot-Tussin DM and Vicks 44 Cough Relief. Three medications that feature an expectorant in addition to a cough suppressant are Benylin Expectorant, Robitussin DM and Vicks 44E.

Prevention/Solution

• Vicks VapoRub and cough drops are additional remedies that may help soothe your cough.

Warning

• Avoid taking cough medicine that has alcohol. In addition, stay away from cough medicines that include the decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, which can affect blood flow to the placenta.

Prevention/Solution

• As an alternative to medication, try drinking hot water with lemon or honey to help soothe a cough or sore throat. Herbal tea is another option. Notify your doctor if your symptoms become severe or last longer than a week.