can you take hayfever medication when pg? Or should I stop fannying around on here and ring the MW

[MamaG]

[sneeze]

[fletchaaarr]

I don't think so. But you should stop fannying around on here and ring your MW

[nickytwotimes]

I'm pretty sure you can't.
Get on the phone missus!

[fletchaaarr]

[DrNortherner]

I could not take antihistamines when PG but did take beconase (as it is localised) and herbal tablet crap stuff.

[expatinscotland]

some people on here have used Beconase and Piriton whilst pregnant.

if you phone the MW they'll just give you that fat lot of tripe like just use steam and take paracetamol which any hayfever sufferer knows does fuck all or works for 5 minutes.

[dizzydixies]

there are two types of anti-histamen, one is suitable for when pg and one not (drowsy and non drowsy)

now don't ask me which is which but the pharmacist should know

was prescribed them by consultant for skin issues when pg with dd1 - cons also called GP a muppet for not prescribing them sooner - that was 5yrs ago hence the lack of memory though - sorry

NHS24 might be able to help too

[Daniya]

I don't know whether you are allowed or not but I am going to eat some local honey as thats meant to help with Hayfever.

See if you can source any locally - it might work!

[serendippity]

My pharmacy has stated catagoricaly that i CANNOT take hayfever meds while i'm pg {{aaaatishooo}} I'm suffering big time.
However i have heard that eating localy sourced honey can stop the symptoms, i really must try this myself!

[hedgepig]

MWs can't prescribe medicine you would be better off seeing your Dr who will be able to advise you.

[avenanap]

Try some elderflower cordial first thing in the morning. My hayfever is usually very bad, I've sneezed a few times but I feel great at the moment. I hope it lasts.

I had to take anthistamines when I was pregnant with ds, the doctor only recommended the older brands (Piriton).

[dirtylittlepunk]

i took piriton

[Moosma]

I took Benedryl on presctiption from my GP, it is Acrivastine which is fine to take in pregnancy. I also had a nasal spray which worked well too

[expatinscotland]

FWIW, I'm in my second trimester and having trouble sleeping due to panic attacks.

Can't take my usual diazepam or temazepam, but my doctor said Benedryl is okay.

[AHLH]

NHS Direct says that you can take the stuff that makes you feel drowsy, but not the non-drowsy stuff:

FWIW I have been having a teaspoon of local honey in my tea every day for 6 weeks and hayfever has been OK so far, fingers crossed.

The NHS Direct link is www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=935

... and here is an extract of what it says.

"Antihistamines are not licensed for use in pregnancy. However, the older (sedating) antihistamines (such as chlorpheniramine) are usually considered safe to take in pregnancy. You must take care when driving as they can cause drowsiness.

You can also usually use antihistamine eye-drops (use with care as some people are allergic to them). An antihistamine nasal spray can usually be used with caution during pregnancy. However, you should consult your doctor first if you are intending to use eye-drops or nasal sprays.

You should not use the newer, non-sedative antihistamines (such as terfenadine, astemizole, loratidine and cetirizine), as the safety of these medicines in pregnancy has not been established.
Decongestants

You should not take decongestant medicines or nasal decongestants unless specifically prescribed by your doctor, as there is insufficient evidence of their safety.
Corticosteroid nasal sprays

These reduce inflammation in the nose. The amount of corticosteroids in nasal sprays is small. They are generally considered safe for short-term use, as long as you use the recommended dose. Drops should be avoided as more of the medicine is absorbed into your body and so there is more risk of side effects.
Sodium Cromoglycate

Sodium Cromoglycate prevent allergic reactions in the nose and eyes. This is a non-steroid preventative medicine and is available over-the-counter (OTC) as eye drops or a nasal spray and is usually considered safe for use in pregnancy. Sodium cromoglycate is relatively short-acting, so has to be used several times a day to be effective.

Your doctor will advise you on what is safe to take and can provide medicines on prescription, which are free while you are pregnant. Your pharmacist will also be able to advise you on what is safe to take."

[expatinscotland]

i have been irrigating my nasal passages every other day with a netti pot (you can also use Sterimar from the chemist counter, which is safe because it's only saline solution).

that's been helping a lot!

[EffiePerine]

I remember asking last time round, and the pharmacist said they'd have to be prescribed by GP

luckily I seem to get less symptoms when pg (something about the suppressed immune system). OTOH I have had a nasty and sneezy cold in teh warmest weather we've had all year ()grrr)

[MamaG]

I'll look into netti pot and local honey I think

ta all

[staranise]

Spoke with my pharmacist today and she said categorically no medecines but that a GP would prescribe something if it was really bad. Otherwise she said jsut wear sunglasses all the time - except my hayfever is worst first thing in the morning, so she recommended not leaving the house....errrr....school run might be tricky in the summer then

What od you mean by 'local' honey? What would be local to SW London (I think Fortnum & masons have their own hives - does that count?!! )

[pinkteddy]

I used a Corticosteroid nasal spray when I was pg on GP's advice. I only used in 3rd trimester though. I think pharmacists and midwives are very cautious which is totally understandable.

[staranise]

Oh yeah, my pharmacist said she had to be v cautious as I'm only 10 weeks and later on, they are more relaxed.

[Milliways]

Ditto Pinkteddy. I was told the steroid nasal spray was safe as only in the nasal passages.

I took nothing whilst pregnant but got the nasal spray when breastfeeding as couldn't bear another year of suffering.