Which hayfever tablets?

[QuietNinjaTardis]

My gp said piriton should be ok but I can't find any in the shops. He said ceterizine might be ok too but didn't seem so sure. Nhs website recommended loratadine or whatever its called. Which one is ok? I'm all confused now and I need something. Please help!

Check with a pharmacist at the chemist - they're usually more clued-up than GPs on what you can and can't take.

Fwiw, I thought you couldn't take any hayfever pills during pg?? But that nasal sprays (e.g. piritonase) are fine. That's at least what my mw told me when I had pregnancy allergic rhinitis in my first and 2nd tri. But, again - I'd check w/ pharmacist.

Hi Quiet suffering with hay fever is one thing I'm not looking forward to with regards to being pg over the summer! When I was pg with my DD's and then breastfeeding I was told no antihistamines were "safe" but it appears the guidelines have changed (as they all seem to do!) I agree go and speak to a pharmacist, just bear in mind that cheap tablets have the same ingredients as branded so when u know if its loratadine or cetirizine look for own brand that contains it!

I have "managed" my hayfever using light therapy (little red lights you put up your nose!) that I bought from a Lloyds pharmacy and have used hay balm around my nose and tried something from the health shop that I can't remember name of! None of it cures it, but along with basics of showering pollen off regularly, closing windows at peak times etc, I have managed to avoid antihistamines (forgetting the occasion I threatened to stop bf because I wanted a tablet so bad!)

Thanks guys. I didn't think you could take anything when pregnant with my first but since then I've read that you can but I don't know what. Nhs website should be accurate though do you think?
I might try that hay balm but its remembering to put it on before you get out the front door!

Piriton is over the counter. Most Boots will stock it but if you have a big pregnant belly and an overzealous pharmacist it could be possible they won't sell it to you. I tend to send DH out for stuff like that (he has a big belly but no one would suspect him of being pregnant ). It's great and works out much cheaper than those little packets of 7 tablets that you get at the checkout of Boots/Superdrug. However, those packets are loretadine and I think cetirizine (one is a non-drowsy one) which I believe are both safe to take in pregnancy according to NHS. Better yet, just get your GP to prescribe you some piriton and you will get it for free as you're pregnant.

My ob told me antihistamines are a no no too so if anyone has anymore info would love to hear about it. I get hayfever very badly.

I think all medical professionals are cautious when it comes to recommending anything other than paracetamol for anything that isn't particularly serious (drives me up the wall 'What can I take for a cough?' 'Oh just paracetamol'.. yes because that's going to help?!), however whenever I've had a problem no one has ever hesitated prescribing anti-histamines and a lot of them are supposed to be safe in pregnancy.

-There is the NHS website that mentions loretadine and cetirizine.
-Lot of people are prescribed anti-histamines for bad morning sickness/hyperemesis (although this might be a different type from what you take for hayfever)
-I was prescribed piriton in my last pregnancy when I developed a rash

If you'd prefer not to take any then I guess you're stuck with saline nosespray and eyedrops.

I've been using Prevalyn nasal spray which clearly states its safe in pregnancy. It's not perfect but its ok.

Don't take Loratadine, it can cause heart murmurs. Anti histhamines are classed as unlikely to be harmful in pregnancy because obviously there are no tests of it on pregnant women. I think the first 3 months are supposed to be the highest risk.

What are you taking the antihistamines for?

Last time I was pregnant I was given a spray by the gp. Was told not to get standard hay fever tablets. I'm considering seeking out the same shortly.

I doubt the NHS guidance would be wrong really...

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/935.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=129

I'm even more confused now! Maybe ill try to not take anything and just take the odd tablet if I really need to. Is that heart murmurs in the baby Bessie? If so how is it on the nhs website as ok to take?

I've had a good old google and cannot see any reported links to heart murmurs, have you got any evidence for that Bessie?

Ninja, I've taken the NHS guidance as read and used a suitable according to the NHS hayfever medication last week, if you are worried get advice from a chemist or your GP :)

Thanks fooffighter. Will go by nhs and maybe just take when I really need to,

Dunno, specialist told me if I had to take anything it should be cetirizine, not Loratadine, which can cause heart murmurs. But I was taking it for an undiagnosed allergy.

I took cetirizine through my second pregnancy (ds2 nearly 2) and piriton in my first.... (ds1 aged nearly 7). I am allergic to all sorts and take hayfever medication daily. I get terrible hives if I don't take them!
Cetirizine works much better for me. They are licensed for use in pregnancy in America apparently...

Interesting. I normally take cetirizine. It's very confusing all this pregnancy advice isn't it? .