Antihistamines

[Becky6X]

Are there any antihistamines that are safe to take during pregnancy?? I suffer with hives for no known reason that have really flared up lately. Normally I would take an antihistamine to stop the itching but haven't taken any since being pregnant as I didn't think you were allowed.

Getting desperate now though, are they any that are safe to take? X

NHS says loratidine and cetirizine are ok

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

I spoke to the pharmacist and 111 and they said not to take any really

I got told by my GP and pharmacist not to take any

@Becky6x chronic hives sufferer here. Do you normally medicate for hives? If so, speak to your GP. I'm prescribed Fexofenadine and Ranitidine for my urticaria. Fexofenadine isn't recommended (though I do know of chronic hives sufferers who have taken it) but Ranitidine (an H2 antihistamine) is fine & used to combat indigestion in pregnancy - thankfully for me, I find it more effective anyway!

Loratidine and cetirizine are ok in pregnancy - it says so on the NHS website!

If you're on Facebook look up the group called 'international chronic urticaria society' they have a link to a recipe for a cream you can make up - active ingredient is sodium cromoglycate (Opticrom eye drops which are safe in pregnancy) - which is bloody wonderful stuff.

I’m one of those people who are allergic to life 🙄 so I’ve really struggled without antihistamines and done quite a bit of research. NHS says loratidine and cetirizine are generally considered safe, but if you consult some of the manufacturers of such drugs they will tell you they’ve done studies and found that they’re associated with a risk of cleft lip and palate.
I assume after 12 weeks you’d be ok as baby has mostly formed structurally by then, but I still can’t bring myself to take them

Hi, I have been prescribed Promethazine from my doctor, it is also used to help morning sickness but I have had it prescribed as an anti histamine. It can make you drowsy so has to be taken at night but ,aybe worth mentioning to your GP.

I get horrendous hayfever and took loratadine for as short amount of time as possible this summer. The pharmacy wouldn't sell it to me though, my midwife said it's more a case of there not being enough evidence to say they are safe opposed to them not being safe.
I think it's down to you, I was 20 weeks onwards and moved to half dose and then nothing as soon as I could