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Pregnancy

can I take Piriton whilst pregnant?????

47 replies

trinityrhino · 10/06/2006 10:02

really suffering with my hayfever, heard vaguely that piriton might be ok to take, anyone know???

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kalex · 10/06/2006 10:08

I wouldn't, but did get homepathic stuff from Boots and it took the edge of the worst of it.

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trinityrhino · 10/06/2006 10:10

ok thanks kalex

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moondog · 10/06/2006 10:15

Don't risk any drugs in pregnancy (apart from occasional paracetomol)

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Jasnem · 10/06/2006 10:15

I was told not to when pg this time last year, too. How about when bf? Does anyone know? Or should I try the homeopathic stuff, too.

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lanismum · 10/06/2006 10:29

i was told not to by my dr when i was pregnant, he didnt offer an alternative.

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MerlinsBeard · 10/06/2006 10:36

no u can't when pg or bf

for an alternative try locally made honey or boots homeopathic remedy

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OldieMum · 10/06/2006 10:52

Same advice given to me last month - take nothing. But you could try putting your head over a steaming bowl of water (this is what my MW recommended).

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KathrynWales · 10/06/2006 11:54

I was prescribed piriton by my consultant obstetrician (who I guess knows what he's on about!) for itching / ? obstetric choloastasis. Was allowed up to 4mg 4xday but tried to only take them as required... usually 1-2 times a day. No ill effects for me or baby.

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trinityrhino · 10/06/2006 12:31

I am absolutely desperate to take something so I rang the labour ward and they asked a doctor to talk to me and he told me that piriton is completely fine to take during pregnancy

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TuttiFrutti · 10/06/2006 13:59

Interesting how hospital doctors seem to be a lot more relaxed (maybe because more knowledgeable?) than GPs and medical staff outside hospitals.

I desperately wanted piriton in my last pregnancy, and my GP refused to prescribe it despite me begging her in tears and saying I had had 5 nights with no sleep because of the itching. I got myself admitted to hospital and the hospital doctors prescribed it immediately. They said there was a tiny statistical risk of it affecting the unborn child, but that it was a balancing act and I was in such pain that alleviating that had to be a high priority.

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TuttiFrutti · 10/06/2006 14:02

Forgot to say: they said it was a myth that it can't be used when breastfeeding. I carried on taking piriton for a few days after the birth, breastfed and the doctors were quite happy with this.

Apparently piriton has been around for about 40-50 years so any adverse effects are quite well documented.

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Olihan · 10/06/2006 14:02

I was also prescribed piriton by a consultant and then a gp for a weird itchy rash on my bump. I was about 32 weeks I think by then so perhaps it depends how far along you are.

I would be very wary of taking any homeopathic remedies without talking to a homeopath first because some of them can be as damaging as ordinary drugs.

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londonthea · 31/07/2007 11:50

My obstetrician recommended I take Piriton for my occasional insomnia rather than allergies and assured me it was completely safe.

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Pricey73 · 12/06/2008 13:37

It really winds me up how doctors can force pregnant women to endure the misery of hayfever against all official medical advice.

They carried out a study of over 200,000 women who took antihistamines and came out firmly on the side that there is no danger of increased risk of foetal toxicity for Piriton.

My chemist wouldn't sell it to me, even though it wasn't on the list of antihistamines to avoid (go figure!!) so I asked a colleague at work to buy it instead.

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EleanoraBuntingCupcake · 12/06/2008 13:39

have you tried the nasal sprays and eye drops?

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cc21 · 12/06/2008 13:41

Have just had same dilemma. Dr has prescribed eye drops & a nasal spray - both appear to be working better than regular antihistamines at the moment - brilliant!!!

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expatinscotland · 12/06/2008 13:41

it's fine in pregnancy!

what a load of British stiff upper lip bullshit that it is not.

hayfever can make some people very, very ill and it cannot be good for the baby when a mother doesn't sleep and can't breathe properly.

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SammyBags · 12/06/2008 13:44

I think doctors might be worried after that antihistamine scare a few years back. When they discovered a link between one of the best used brands (came in blue packet by Glazo) and grapefruit juice. I can understand why they might be worried about giving it to us.
i've had a wheezy chest and have been using an inhaler - which is apparently okay.
i might try that balm that you put just inside your nose and is supposed to trap pollen. Has anyone tried that?

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expatinscotland · 12/06/2008 13:45

you wouldn't tell an asthmatic not to use medication to control attacks because they are pregnant, or a diabetic to stop taking their meds, after all.

plenty of women have to take antibiotics during pregnancy, or even have surgery or undergo chemotherapy.

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EleanoraBuntingCupcake · 12/06/2008 13:52

i agree with cc21, i started using just spray and eyedrops when pregnant and discovered they work better. i think the whole piriton hayfever things is a big con.

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TheProvincialLady · 12/06/2008 13:53

My GP told me that I can take paracetamol and piriton during pregnany if necessary (not sure why, I don't have hayfever and have never had an allergic reaction in my life!) - so yes, you can take it.

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Twelvelegs · 12/06/2008 13:54

I spent 10 minutes with my GP going through the latest advice and it's a resounding NO! I have beconase and felt this would be okay as my hayfever is usually worse in June and so no long term use.

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expatinscotland · 12/06/2008 13:57

pregnant women are even given co-cocodamol whilst pregnant, or breastfeeding women.

plenty of women drink alcohol whilst pregnant.

but somehow, piriton is akin to crack.

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Pinchypants · 12/06/2008 14:03

I've been told to avoid newer antihistamines but that in extremis Piriton is OK precisely because it's been around so long that that any dodgy side effects would have shown up by now. And I'm sure one pill is better than all those histamines rushing round the body causing merry hell when I've got very bad hayfever or an allergic reaction to something.

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Twelvelegs · 12/06/2008 14:51

Expat, my GP said crack was fine

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