Any one taken Antihistamine during pregnancy?

[wowiesis111]

Hi ,
Im hoping to get some help/advice...
Im 16 weeks pregnant with my second. Ive suffered with allergies and ezcema over the years which got steadily worse when i was pregnant with my first child - due to hormones and the fact i stopped my antihistamine medication. Now im pregnant with my second I have become covered in psoriasis all over my back and arms which light therapy seems to be keeping at bay ( this runs out soon which is another problem) .. but my face is covered too. Light therapy hasnt worked on it and if anything made it worse due to my skin being so sensitive. i have been prescribed antihistamine by the dermatologist to keep the itching at bay and to help with the allergies but im really scared to use them as everything i have read says you arent to use in pregnancy. Should i trust the advice from one dermatologist?
Whilst I am really really suffering at the moment with red raw allergic itchy skin all over my face and eyes, i would hate to put my unborn baby at risk. Creams are also a no go as the doctor has also prescribed me some steroid cream but you cant use on the face and also not 'meant to ' use in pregnancy. The risks ive read online state can cause birth defects apparently although ive read allsorts of different views.

I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience in this and can offer any advice?

Thanks
P.s im a newby so please be kind x

[strawberrypenguin]

I think a couple of the 'newer' antihistamines can be taken in pregnancy. They were offered to me towards the end of mine 3 years ago. Can't remember which one it was though, worth asking your GP/ consultant though

[MuffinMcLay23]

Most of the anti-emetics that are prescribed as front line treatments for severe sickness are antihistamines - e.g. cyclizine.

There are definitely some antihistamines that are safe, but whether they will sort out your problem is another matter. You will have to do some research on the drug that you have actually been prescribed (you don't name it in your post) to see what its safety profile is.

The best website for evidence based advice is uptodate.com although not all of it is available without a subscription - it is aimed at doctors rather than the public and medics pay an annual fee for access.

[LittlePeasMummy1]

Hello, there are patient information leaflets about use of various antihistamines in pregnancy at //www.medicinesinpregnancy.org. Hope this is helpful

[wowiesis111]

Thank you for replying so quickly. It's called ' tavegil 'the ones I've been prescribed.
I've been told by some ( patents, family members and from a few online posts ) to take the likes of piriton as they are an old antihistamine so more research on it but also been told to take new ones too.
Wish it would just go away of it's own accord. :-(

[Seeline]

I was prescribed Phenergan for 24hr morning sickness, and DD is now 10yo, so perfectly safe as far as I am concerned. Whether that would work for your allergies though is another matter.

[wowiesis111]

Thanks Seeline. I've just googled them -thought they could be the answe but it says can't be taken by people with allergies to sulphates ... Which is me:-(

I've also just searched similar posts on here from other pregnant ladies asking similar question and seems most have have piriton , the older ones. Perhaps I should take these instead. Think you have have up to 4 of these a day so one in the evening shouldn't be too much of a problem you would think...?
Or perhaps should I try to hold out until my 20 week scan and check all is developed as if should with baby before taking them ...?
X

[Seeline]

I would go back to your GP/consultant before taking anything! If you haven't got a consultant can you not ask for a referral?

[fortywinx]

I'm prescribed loratadine for my allergies. GP said I was fine to continue taking them along with my steroidal nasal spray.

Obviously, it probably varies from anti-histamine to anti-histamine. If you're unsure about what the dermatologist has prescribed, see your GP and get a second medical opinion.

[BanKimoon]

I took piriton for wicked hayfever. DS is 18 months and fine. It's such a grey area because no one's going to do clinical trials on pregnant women to check! Sounds like you're having a rotten time and I hope you feel better soon.

[wowiesis111]

Thanks ladies.
I'm just finding all the advice so conflicting from those in the 'know'. The consultant said I could take tavegil from 12 weeks. But then rang me up to make sure I wasn't taking before. Which made me think they aren't all that safe. Box says not to in pregnancy. Doctors also don't seem to agree with each other. I've seen a few. One gp who is also a dermatologist said it's fine to slap on the steroid cream and to use piriton whilst others including pharmasists say not to.
I had the same issue when I started the light therapy. The light therapy consultant said I needed to take stronger folic acid as the light therapy uses more up. They couldn't back up why though. When I fried to get the prescription from the gp ( again the dermatologist) he didnt seen to know why I needed to take the stronger ones. My normal doctor insisted I stopped taking the stronger ones at 12 weeks where as the light therapy lady said to carry on through the treatment - until I finish.
Wish the advice was more consistent.
It's hard enough struggling with it let alone having to decide whether to take things for my 'suffering' with the guilt that I may do harm to my baby. So far I've just suffered but I've got my sisters wedding in 3 weeks ( which I'm maid of honour for) and dreading what I'm going to look and feel like. Its the constant itching and tight skin that's driving mad

[Caterina99]

I'm in the usa (where they are usually insane about pregnancy related things!) and my obstetrician and my GP both specifically told me that loratadine is safe during pregnancy. I was taking a stronger antihistamine before, so I switched to that. I also use steroid creams for eczema and again was told to continue with them, although they are not the really potent ones, as fortunately I seem to be maintaining my skin ok for the moment.

I appreciate loratadine isn't particularly strong so might not be good enough for you, and maybe the UK has different regulations, but I would ask your doctor because it's not just the uncomfortableness, you could get an infection from broken skin, so it should be kept under control if possible.

[ememsmum]

I took piriton for a yucky itchy tummy rash that developed at 35 weeks. Allowed me to sleep. Took phenergan this time for nausea. Again, allowed me to sleep. Sleep important!

Very few drugs are licenced for use in pregnancy simply because it is unethical to test on pregnant women (most drugs are tested on young men). That doesn't mean they are unsafe.

[MsDeedles]

My obs told me the generic certified was ok when I was really suffering. I would want to check with a HCP though.

[MsDeedles]

Ceterizine even

[Nuttynortherner]

I'm 33 weeks and my GP said taking Piriton for my eczema was fine (obviously best to check with yours first). I wasn't taking anything to begin with but my skin was so bad and had hayfever too over summer that I wasn't sleeping otherwise. The consultant at my last appointment said steroid creams can be fine too (I was using 0.5% hydrocortisone round my eyes but I need stronger on my arms). Again speak to GP or get referred to dermatologist if they're reluctant. Good luck!

[coastergirl]

I took Piriton for hayfever in early pregnancy. My GP checked all of my medication (I take a few things for allergies, IBS and anxiety) and the only one that needed to be changed was an anxiety one. The Piriton was fine. It's the original Piriton (chlorphenamine) that I take.

[TelephoneIgnoringMachine]

I took cetirizine during pregnancy on doctor's recommendation. DD is 2.8 and fine.