Taking hayfever medication in pregnancy

[spagino21]

Hello, I’m 17 1/2 weeks pregnant and my hayfever suddenly hit me this weekend like a ton of bricks! I’m talking non stop sneezing, itchy throat, eyes streaming, hayfever headache - the works! Up until now I’ve been completely fine but I think grass pollen season has just started where I live.

Anyway I haven’t taken my medication (prescription strength fexofenadine) at all whilst pregnant but spoke to my GP yesterday as I’ve been really suffering to the extent that I just don’t want to go outside at all. He said the standard advice is not to take any antihistamines unless absolutely essential, so if my symptoms are getting really bad then I can take it but to try the milder over the counter stuff first and see how I get on. He even ordered some of my prescription strength antihistamines for me just in case I feel I need them (without me asking first).

So I just wanted to know if anyone has been in the same situation as me and taken antihistamines while pregnant? I really don’t want to cause harm to my baby but at the same time I don’t know how I will cope all summer like this..

I’m 23 weeks now and have been using a nasal spray for a couple of weeks because my hayfever is so bad. It says ‘consult your doctor before use’ but I didn’t bother as I knew they would just say similar to yours ^

I would say I’m pretty desperate though as it’s really making me miserable.

You can take promethazine safely in pregnancy, I'm pretty sure this is a mild antihistamine.

I took it for other reasons but noted that allergies are something it helps.

I'm 29 weeks pregnant and awful hayfever kicked in about a week ago. GP said I could take cetirizine (over the counter) and it's been lifechanging - no hayfever!

Thank you all, I’ll pick up some antihistamines and a nasal spray over the counter and see if that helps! It’s just helpful to know that I’m not a terrible person for wanting to take something 🙂

Same situation here and it’s horrible. The worst part is there’s something outside my ds’s school that is really affecting me and the minute I get there I can’t stop coughing. It’s not great when everyone is side eyeing you as a Covid risk!

I got the same reply from the pharmacist when I asked. Only take them if absolutely necessary and to him that meant if your having a really bad day you can take one. That seems pointless as I always thought you had to take it as a course. It’s making me miserable!

I feel your pain @WeCameToDance

I was sneezing all weekend and had to keep removing my mask which of course made everyone stare! It just makes me want to stop whatever I’m doing and go home. And i’m the same, I can’t just take one antihistamine on a bad day and expect it to magically work. I need to use them consistently for them to have any effect. I think it’s hard for people who don’t suffer hayfever to really understand 🙄

I am allergic to dustmites and various grasses so suffer all year round. I took my allergy tablets every day through 4 pregnancies without any issues. I take Benadryl plus.
My gp was happy for me a carry on taking them.
I hope you feel better soon.