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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Antihistimines for pregnant people

19 replies

beansprout · 14/07/2004 18:21

Am off to my mum's tomorrow (hurrah) but she has two cats which I am very allergic to (boo).

Are there any antihistimines that are safe to take? I am 27 weeks.
Thanks wise ladies

OP posts:
mummytosteven · 14/07/2004 18:35

this is one for a pharmacist (or for Mears if she is back from her holiday) I suspect. I think that the older piriton sedating type ones are better than newer ones but don't think there are really any you are meant to take when pg. Could you phone doctors/midwife?

Piffleoffagus · 14/07/2004 18:37

I got told no when I was pregnant... bu the GP and decongestants too.
bummer

mears · 14/07/2004 18:41

Pop into the chemist and ask Beansprout. They will be able to suggest something. I have known women to have piriton in pregnancy but there are so many products on the market the pharmacist will be able to advise.

Yorkiegirl · 14/07/2004 18:53

Message withdrawn

Original poster
beansprout · 14/07/2004 19:13

Thanks everyone. Drowsy sounds appealing as it goes, as I am having trouble sleeping. Will ask the pharmacist.

Here's to a sneeze/itchy free day tomorrow!!

OP posts:
twiglett · 14/07/2004 20:26

message withdrawn

Samcj · 14/07/2004 20:42

I've looked into this, I'm a nurse and have a prescribing book, all modern antihistimines are general advised to avoid in pregnancy. Some are found to damage embryo's in animals (I know). Piriton I'm not 100% sure about, think it is considered safer. I know, I have been suffering!!
I did try and take Homeopathic tablets, which I think did help, but gave me really bad indegestion though. Just a thought that you might like to give them a try.

geogteach · 14/07/2004 22:50

I was told piriton too and definately makes me drowsey, i hate it but take it when the nose bleeds from blowing my nose (hayfever) get too much.

SofiaAmes · 15/07/2004 02:10

I took clarityn relatively frequently when I was pregnant as my allergies went crazy. My doctors in the usa said it was fine (and they are really paranoid about what you do in pregnancy) and my gp here prescribed it. I tried to avoid everything (including caffeine, alcohol, any drugs) during the first trimester when all the important bits are forming. But after that I really worried a lot less.

jacksmumto1 · 15/07/2004 15:37

I tried beconase nasal sprays and allergese eye drops this year (sometimes they work and sometimes they don't depending on how bad I am) and it was like taking water.... Someone on this site mentioned that they had taken Piriton so I spoke to my GP and was told that Pirition was fine - I have taken that this pregnancy along with a Boots own brand (having been reassured by the pharmacist that it was exactly the same as Piriton) since I was about 26 weeks.

I've tried to take the minimum dose I could get away with - though some days I have had the maximum becsause I have been so bad this year. I've had no problems with drowsiness BUT I have noticed that the baby's movements are less active when I take it than if I can manage with out...

Samcj · 15/07/2004 20:38

Just to say, I understood Clarytin to be on the list of aviod. There is a process of weighing up the benefits to the mother compared to the risk to the child when prescribing medications. So many will be prescribed on this basis. But I just didn't want everyone to rush out and get claritin without seeing your GP or at least talking to a pharmacist.

BTW beansprout, I like the way you are not being in any way sexist in the title of this thread!!

almost40 · 15/07/2004 21:23

sudafed

SofiaAmes · 15/07/2004 23:14

You are right samcj. I forgot that it was available over the counter now. I would certainly not take it without consulting a doctor. I had terrible asthma and hayfever during my pregnancies, so it was really a choice between breathing or no clarityn. Not a difficult one to make.

shrub · 15/07/2004 23:23

luffa complex by bioforce. completely natural and safe to take while pregnant and b/f

xoz · 15/07/2004 23:29

I was told by my GP in Australia that Piriton (the old style sedating one, not Piriteze) was OK to take . I suffer really bad hayfever, and could not get by without it. I've taken it through 2 pgs and 2 bf's now.

Toothache · 17/07/2004 12:14

Another fan of Piriton here. I have taken Piriton syrup (for kids!) through 2 pregnancies now. It makes me SOOOOOOOOOO drowsy though that I can only take it at bedtime. The antihistamine effects tend to last all through the next day though. I take it for various allergies.

Original poster
beansprout · 17/07/2004 13:49

Like so many other things, there is a mixed bag of advice out there on this one! I took the safe, if uncomfortable option (ie no pills) and had a very wheezy, sneezy, eye stinging time of it. Yuck. My hayfever is a lot better than it used to be - not sure what I would do if I were contending with this all summer.

Samcj - I've worked in the voluntary sector for too long!!

OP posts:
Samcj · 17/07/2004 20:15

Did you come across pregnant men often there then? Is this a hidden statistic that men should be taking precautions against?!!

Original poster
beansprout · 17/07/2004 20:17

Aha - keep them on their toes I say!!

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