Beconase Nasal Spray - I took over the counter medication when I shouldnt have - Please help!

[bluebabydinosaur]

Im six weeks pregnant and I took Beconase Nasal Spray which contains seriods. I have since been told by the pharmacist that is a big no and studies have shown that it can cause cleft lips in rats! Thanks! I was happy until now. Im really beating myself up and thinking Ive caused harm to my baby. Please help I need some reassurance from somewhere and no one will give it to me.

I had horrendous hayfever last summer whilst pregnant. GP prescribed me Beconase. Sadly I mc'd but that was nothing to do with the Beconase as baby stopped developing before I started using it. I am therefore using it this year too.

I've been prescribed it when pregnant too - nothing else would work in the hayfever season from hell that was 2009 ...

I thought Beconaise was one of the few safer medicines for allergies in pregnancy.

I’ve just managed to convince my GP to prescribe me some and they did admit the amount of steroid inhalation through the nostrils is so minimal that it is low risk. On balance, this was a risk I was willing to take as if I don’t treat my hay fever my asthma gets really bad and last year I had to go to hospital with an asthma attack.

Having said that, I am 29 weeks so it maybe different in first trimester.

I would try and get a GP appt to see what they will prescribe you. All I would say is you probably don’t need to panic/worry (but I know that’s easier said than done)

It will be fine, honestly. The amount of steroids in the spray will be very small and a negligible amount would even reach the baby, if any. Not remotely comparable to an animal study and the pharmacist knows it. Just stop using it and don't worry

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/can-i-take-hay-fever-medicine-during-pregnancy/

NHS says corticosteroid sprays can be used in pregnancy and that's what beconase is. You will not have harmed your baby

It’s a localised steroid. I was prescribed it while pregnant.

I took corticosteroids until I was 12 weeks pregnant in a much higher dose than the spray. You’ll be okay. The risks associated corticosteroids in pregnancy are just in the 2nd trimester (where it can cause issues with the sex organs). Women are often prescribed it in the first and third trimesters to prevent miscarriages / help develop baby’s lungs in preparation for preterm birth

Thank you so so much for your responses. You have no idea how much this has calmed me down and brought me back to earth. I really appreciate it. xxxx

I of course Googled myself silly after my encounter with the pharmacist. So good to hear from real people who really know and speak the truth.

@Teddybear45

I took corticosteroids until I was 12 weeks pregnant in a much higher dose than the spray. You’ll be okay. The risks associated corticosteroids in pregnancy are just in the 2nd trimester (where it can cause issues with the sex organs). Women are often prescribed it in the first and third trimesters to prevent miscarriages / help develop baby’s lungs in preparation for preterm birth

Hey! Sorry to jump on so late - when you say about taking steroids in the second trimester.. should I not take the beconaise nasal spray when I hit my second trimester (I'm only 8 weeks now - struggling with rhinitis?) Thankyou xx

If it's prescribed and your doctor is happy for you to continue then keep on it.

I'm 27 weeks and have been taking beconase throughout. I have a deviated septum which causes severe pain if the inflammation isn't controlled by the spray. I can't get it operated on until after my baby is born so I checked with my consultant once I found out I was pregnant and he is happy for me to continue. Nasal steroids are treated the same as inhaled ones for asthma in pregnancy. They're not as high doses as the tablets so it's a benefit/risk calculation, but it's definitely worth it for me and there's lots of asthmatic women proving it's not a big issue.

I was prescribed this when I was pregnant. I guess the benefit outweight the risk. Can't breathe through my nose as it was blocked with vessels. My baby is totally normal so far. I hope yours is too