Anyone been prescribed antihistimine in pregnancy - please help as am driven to distraction

[yellowflowers]

I have a horrible eczema on my feet - flares up in hot weather. It's basically an itch so distracting that at worst you think you'd rather cut your feet of than have the itch. Called Pomphylox.

Before getting pregnant taking a one a day anti histimine kept it at bay. But then I conceived so stopped and a steroid cream dealt with the symptoms. Now it's flared up again and steroid cream not seeming to help at moment - woke me up at 3am and after an hour of not sleeping did some Internet research and nhs website says while anti histimine not recommended in pregnancy after 16 weeks (I'm nearly 18 weeks now) if doctor says you can take it then Loratidine (Clarityn) is best. Decided that taking one better than surviving on 3 hours sleep and chopping off own feet (!) so did.

I will get gp appt as soon as possible but question is has anyone else been told it is okay to take loratidine or another anti histimine while pregnant? I am very worried I will harm the baby by taking it but honestly, I can't leave it untreated, it is awful - would set my mind at rest slightly if I knew any gp or midwife said it was ok to take anti histimine sometimes in pregnancy.

Thank you

Questio

I was prescribed Piriton for severe itching I had over the last month of the pregnancy. I took one every night as I found them too drowsy in the day. I think they did help.

I was prescribed piriton tablets when i was pregnant too - the doctor had a directory of medicines which listed various exclusions including whether they were safe to take in pregnancy and he checked that first and then prescribed them to me. Worked a treat. Good luck!

Yes, I was prescribed piriton (chlorpheniramine) in my last pregnancy for severe rhinitis and I've been taking it in this pregnancy too. Loratidine isn't safe, so far as I know, neither are any other "second generation" (non-drowsy) antihistamines.

argh! I worded that badly - I doubt one Loratidine is going to do any harm at all, but there's as much data available on its effects in pregnancy as there is with Piriton.

Thank you all. Will buy some piriton today.

I've been taking loratadine for hayfever. The NHS pregnancy book they give you in your Bounty pack say that it is OK to take "occasionally" during pregnancy. If it's driving you this mental, go and see your GP - there might be something stronger you can take, as well as a stronger cream.

I wouldn't take loratadine and definitely see your GP or MW first.

In the BNF it says the following:

"Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Most manufacturers of antihistamines advise avoiding use during pregnancy; however, there is no evidence of teratogenicity except for hydroxyzine and loratadine where toxicity has been reported with high doses in animal studies. The use of sedating antihistamines in the latter part of the third trimester may cause adverse effects in neonates such as irritability, paradoxical excitability, and tremor. Most antihistamines are present in breast milk in varying amounts; although not known to be harmful, most manufacturers advise avoiding use in mothers who are breast-feeding."

Piriton is prescribed most as it's the oldest so has been used the most. But certirizine has been trialled in pregnancy.

I am very surprised the NHS book has that info as it's against the evidence and the BNF advice.

Interestingly, the NHS pregnancy book says ceterizine is only safe for use during breast feeding and does not mention it in pregnancy. And no mention of piriton at all. Have had a search on the web and the consensus of opinion from research seems to be that at the dose taken for human consumption there is no evidence of teratogenicity. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) recommend chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine as the antihistamines of choice for pregnant women. Cetirizine and loratadine may be considered (preferably after the first trimester) in patients who cannot tolerate or do not respond to maximal doses of chlorpheniramine or tripelennamine.

See: www.obfocus.com/reference/Formulary/Drugs%20in%20Pregnancy/Loratadine.htm

I've taken about 8 tablets of loratadine the entire course of this pregnancy (29 weeks today) and none at all during the first trimester. I'm not going to stress about it, but may switch to piriton. I think another example of who the heck blooming well knows what you are and are not supposed to do during pregnancy.....

Sorry meant to say:
the consensus of opinion from research seems to be that at the dose taken for human consumption there is no evidence of teratogenicity for loratadine

I called the Midwife Info line run by Homerton hospital and they said it was fine to take Piriton, the everyday kind, as directed on packet, (not the all-day kind), and just to make extra sure the midwife went and asked the consultant obstetrician, who was happy to confirm it - so get down the chemist and get relief1

P.S: the consensus was it's been in circulation so long and used by so many women that any issues would have shown up by now - and they haven't.

Hi, I was prescribed loratadine fairly early into my pregnancy by my GP for allergies and my eczema - it was a lifesaver! I was only given a month's supply though, and to be honest actually didn?t need it beyond then because it seemed to calm the flare up. I was advised to take at night as it could make me more drowsy than it usually would, plus would give my body a chance to recharge and repair overnight - which was a pretty interesting theory! I was also prescribed steroid cream (Elocon / Mometasone Furoate) after 12wks when the very mild hydrocortisone cream failed to work very well.

Totally understand the wanting to chop your feet off from the itch... Pregnancy did mad things to my skin at the start, and I don't think that until that point I'd cried over my eczema since my teens! You might find that after a short spell of antihistamines/ steroids the flare will fade. I'm 35wks and it?s totally died down (and I no longer have the urge scratch my feet to bits, mainly as I can't see them any more!!)

Good luck anyway. Explaining you?re at your wits end to a GP normally renders some kind of result!

Another one here to recommend chlorphenamine (normal piriton). I was originally prescribed cetirizine which is the one a day piriton, but my hayfever is so bad that I need at least 3 or 4 a day, so no good for me. I don't think any gp will prescribe loratadine (clarytin) as that's the one in the book that they have that says not to take during pregnancy under any circumstances.

Thank you! How odd the nhs direct website has loratidine as the one it recommends in pregnancy.

Am hoping it will stop itching soon and it probably will when it's not so hot. Will get some piriton though just in case I need it tonight and call gp tomorrow.

Normal Piroten is fine, I was told not to take the one a day stuff. I also had flare ups on my face and used my old steriod cream once or twice.

I've been prescribed cetirizine for my hayfever. From when I hit 12 weeks. Was prescribed it in my previous pregnancies as well.

Update: pharmacist agreed that piriton is the one to take if I take one at all but said she wasn't allowed to sell it to me as pregnant without prescription but when asked the question 'if I had every brand at home which would be the best to take?' she confirmed again it was piriton. So I waited half an hour and then sent dh to buy piriton. Phew - hopefully won't have to take it tonight as weather has cooled down and that seems a major factor but am relieved to have them here just in case. Thanks again for all your advice.

Just an update because I don't want to give anyone bad advice (I am not medically qualified). But my husband met an expert in medicines and pregnancy today through work and asked them and they said Loratidine okay post first trimester if for a pre existing condition and def not a new itch or condition that might be caused by pregnancy because sometimes an itch can be the consequence of pregnancy and needs to be checked out.

Interestingly also the instructions for piriton, unlike some other antihistimines, don't say do not use in pregnancy but to take medical advice before using in pregnancy which I read to be use cautiously but not that it can't be used at all.

Please look at this link
It is an NHS website, as a pharmacist I use it all the time.

It is what made me decide to use loratadine for my hayfever during this pregnancy. hth

I was prescribed Piriton by my doctor for hayfever with allergic rhinitis. The doctor said that it was the only antihistamine that has been tested for use in pregnancy. The others are probably safe but they can not guarantee!

I have been taking Phenergan (Promethazine) tablets for morning sickness since about 8 weeks and I am now about 21 weeks. It has really taken the edge of the nausea for me, although I still don't feel great. However, I am really happy with it as it has meant I haven't had to worry about hayfever tablets and it helps me sleep. So win win situation.

However, my Dr said that they wouldn't just prescribe as an anti histamine, as although risks were very low, they will only prescribe if the risk to the mum outweighs that to the baby - and I had gone down to 6 3/4 stone and was still losing weight...

So I think if you are really suffering I am sure it is fine to take anti histamines, but I wouldn't take this choice lightly...