What decongestants are safe during pregnancy?
What decongestants are safe during pregnancy?
Decongestant medications reduce stuffiness and sinus pressure by constricting the blood vessels in your nose, which reduces swelling. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are available over the counter as Sudafed and are safe for many women to use during pregnancy.
Can I use topical menthol while pregnant?
Menthol topical Pregnancy Warnings The manufacturer makes no recommendation regarding use during pregnancy. Animal studies are not available. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.
Why is menthol bad during pregnancy?
Menthol is a common ingredient of many throat lozenges, sprays, and topical ointments. There are no human studies on the use of menthol during pregnancy; thus, its risk is undetermined. The concentration of menthol in these products is low, and the risk of malformations is therefore believed to be small.
Is it safe to take a decongestant during pregnancy?
Saline-only nasal sprays are considered safe during pregnancy. Topical or nasal spray decongestants, such as Afrin, were once thought to be safe for most pregnant women. However, these too work by constricting blood flow to the sinuses, and it is now thought that it can be absorbed systemically.
What is a Category C pregnancy drug?
Category C: These drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Examples: fluoroquinolones, gentamicin, saccharin, aspirin. Category D: There is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk.
Is congestion normal during pregnancy?
Hormonal changes cause congestion during pregnancy, according to the March of Dimes. When you are pregnant your blood supply increases from the increase of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which can cause the nasal membranes to swell. When the nasal passages swell, they dry out easier.
What does FDA Pregnancy Category D mean?
The U.S. FDA has issued the following definition for the pregnancy category C: For pregnant women, this means that any medication that has a Pregnancy Category C listed is not likely to be prescribed by your health care provider, as it may cause harm to your unborn baby.
