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

Original poster

OTC cough mixtures/throat lozenges ok in pregnancy? Help!

15 replies

jasperc163 · 13/12/2008 08:49

Can any one tell me which are ok? I am on day 3 of antibiotics (2nd course) for a chest infection but spent all of last night up coughing (worst night yet by far).. Obviously can't call doctor til monday but need something to help until (hopefully) antibiotics start to do something. My OH asked at chemist the other day and got a terse 'nothing' response which i cant believe.

I was given some kind of codeine cough mixture a while back by the doctor on prescription but none left.

Can anybody help? Need to get through the weekend and this constant coughing is starting to make my throat raw and ribs ache :-(

thanks alot

OP posts:
littleboyblue · 13/12/2008 08:53

I'm not too sure, go to your local Boots or other chemist and ask them. I just looked in my meds cupboard for what one I was told to use, but must have thrown in out

Original poster
jasperc163 · 13/12/2008 08:58

Thanks. My OH did and was told that they couldnt give me anything :-( Maybe we just need to try another branch of boots ...

OP posts:
littleboyblue · 13/12/2008 09:03

I'm sure they can. I used some.... I know you can't have anything with a decongestant in it. I'm sure mine was honey and something.

VirginBoffinMum · 13/12/2008 09:04

I have used Strepsils whilst pregnant with no adverse effects.

A different pharmacist might be able to discuss medicines with you in a more intelligent way - often certain medicines are not indicated for pregnant women because it is too expensive for the drug companies to do the testing, and they are paranoid about a repeat of the thalidomide affair.

I have found it is a lot more helpful to actually learn about how the drugs act on the body from an intelligent pharmacist and then make my own decisions (for minor things). E.g. the way I see it, codeine is 'approved' for pregnant women but you wouldn't want to be taking loads of that around the time of the delivery in case it supresses respiration in the baby.

The answer is a pharmacist who treats you like an adult rather than an idiot twelve year old.

Original poster
jasperc163 · 13/12/2008 09:48

thanks everyone. OH going to try again on way back from an overnight trip this morning (I feel too crap to venture into town if i can help it). Will see if he has better luck today:-(
It always gets worse at a weekend doesnt it!

I had hoped the antibiotics (erythroymcin) would have started to have an effect after 48hrs? but no such luck.....
Trouble is i think i also have a separate cold virus which wont be helping (not the main problem which has been going on for over 6 weeks now but is now at its worst).

OP posts:
singsong · 13/12/2008 10:01

Don?t take anything with decongestant in, (such as Sudafed) as these could potentially be harmful. Although like has already been said there is not a lot of research on drug safety in pregnancy (who wants to use a load of pregnant women as test subjects when they don?t know if there could be a harmful effect!) .

Have you tried inhaling steam perhaps with a few drops of olbas oil in ?that can help to loosen things up. Or a home-made hot lemon drink (lemsip etc have decongestant in) use natural lemon, soluble paracetamol and hot water ?sweeten if you like.

brettgirl2 · 13/12/2008 10:03

I think pharmacists are generally very twitchy about pg women. You should have out of hours GP cover in your area - if you are feeling that ill then this seems the most sensible course of action.

brunettemum · 13/12/2008 10:13

I sympathise - I have been feeling horrendous all week, and finally got abs for a chest infection yesterday. My pharmacist was v helpful earlier in the week - he sold me straightforward linctus, which does work (albeit only for a short time!) and also a cough medicine called Pholcodine Linctus.

I always find Boots quite useless tbh - a small pharmacist tends to be much better (suspect it's a lack of 'corporate policy'!).

Hope you find something that works, it's just awful being so sick while pregnant.

VirginBoffinMum · 13/12/2008 10:50

I think there is some sense in asking a GP to look up in the British National Formulary which throat sweets would be OK. GPs are a bit more clued up than people in Boots.

Original poster
jasperc163 · 13/12/2008 11:09

Thanks all - hope you feel better soon brunettemum :-(
OH has just called and after much negotiation they agreed to give me some codeine linctus (as GP had previously prescribed it)
Might at least help me get through the night - will try steam as well.

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 13/12/2008 22:53

Boots or Co-op Honey, Lemon and Glycerine Linctus.

Lockets OK too.

Both say so on packet and recommended by a pharmacist when I was pg.

ShirleyL · 14/12/2008 00:08

when I had a sore throat when pg my pharamicist told me that I could take halls soothers and lockets as there is nothing stronger in them than a packet of starburst!! but the liquidy stuff (sorry can't remember proper name for it) will soothe throat

purpleflower · 14/12/2008 00:12

I had a throat infection when pg with DD and the nurse said I could bave strepsils.

Hope you feel better soon

laweaselmys · 14/12/2008 07:49

I went in the other day and the pharmacist said I could have the buttercup cough syrup(I wanted benolyin but not allowed apparently)/vicks vapour rub and soothers etc.

Think boots are being overly cautious! I went to Lloyds, btw.

Highlander · 14/12/2008 15:29

Do not take anything with Ibuprofen in it. It causes premature closure of the foramen ovale in the baby's heart (although I think this is actually only a big deal in the 2nd and 3rd trimester? Your GP will know0.

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