Antihistamines, yay or nay?

[HaitchJay]

I'm sneezing & itchy. Would normally take a tablet but have always been told not to in pregnancy.
Google tells me to speak to GP first but it's Sunday.

Anyone any experience one way or the other?

Its a tough one. I took a few last time, and DD is fine, but its only certain ones that you can possibly take. None of the non-drowsy ones are suitable at all iirc. Also depends on the stage of pregnancy you are at too. Best to speak to someone if you can.

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/935.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=129 - this mention loratidine and cetirizine as being ok

I can only take non drowsy due to bf. think it's loratradine I have.
I read the NHS thing but it's covering it's back with see GP I think but I'm not confident enough to go ahead!

Won't be able to speak to GP until tomorrow or more likely Tuesday as receiving a call at work isn't very easy.

Have you spoken to a pharmacist? Sometimes they can advise about specific brands/check guidance...

Not got one open here. Nearest is 20 min drive. Not as snotty since I had a shower so hopefully I can manage without although the itching is still there!

Well, good luck. My midwife, GP and pharmacist have told me nothing is allowed (even though it's there in black and white on the NHS website!). Have been making it through with boxes of Kleenex and Calpol saline spray. Hope you feel better soon

Thanks.

i took antihistimines with the ok from midwife and consultant at the hospital all the way through my preg and bfeeding, there are some that are ok, think it was piriton?

I've been on antihistamine's since about 16 weeks because of maddening itching everywhere. Pharmacy wouldn't sell me any (even the ones which are ok - piriton I think are the over the counter ones you can use) on prescription they are called Chlorphenamine. You can take them every 4 - 6 hours but I tend to just take one before I go to bed because of the drowsiness and that's when the itching is worse

I was told no piriton when bf.

Hi there
Been to gp about hay fever both when breast feeding last time and pregnant now with baby 2.
They won't prescribe me anti histamines in tablet form, but they are ok for me to use topical items such as hayfever nasal spray or eye drops.
I have had to have it prescribed both times as the chemist wouldn't give it to a bf / preg woman without it. But you might be able to buy some over counter today. I've found the nasal spray - you need to take it for 2 to 3 days before an improvement - is really good and made a Huge difference...

I have hayfever and am.now 21 weeks. Have been taking a steroid nose spray and have been prescribed piriton. Piriton is safe for pregnancy and bf. However it does tend to knock me out with the drowsiness!

I am sure it doesn't apply to any of you but persistent all over itching in pregnancy is a symptom of obstetric cholestasis. It is nasty but can be managed. If you don't usually suffer from hayfever/itching or it persists for more than normal, do google it and see your GP if you are concerned. A liver function blood test gives a good indicator and most obstetricians are now up to speed with treatment but weren't 13 years ago when google search saved my dc1.

Before anybody gets scared unnecessarily, OC itching is all over your body, not just bump, and is unaffected by antihistamines. The itching will persist and get worse and it is rare.