Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSafe Cold MedicinesCold Medicines to AvoidCold PreventionNatural Cold Treatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Safe Cold Medicines
Cold Medicines to Avoid
Cold Prevention
Natural Cold Treatments
Many over-the-counter cold medicines are safe to take during pregnancy. A few examples include acetaminophen (Tylenol), dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and menthol products like Vicks.
However, it’s essential to check with your healthcare provider before taking medications, read the label for warnings, and never exceed the recommended dose. If you come down with a cold and prefer to avoid cold medicines, you can also try to ease your symptoms with natural methods.
Pregnant person taking medicine.Juanma Hache / Getty Images
Juanma Hache / Getty Images
When choosing a medication, be aware that some may contain multiple active ingredients. Be sure that they’re all on the list of safe medicines.
Also, check the label for any warnings and precautions. OTC medications clearly state who should not use the product. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about cold medicines.
Cold medications that are safe during pregnancy include:
For headaches and body aches:
For a stuffy nose:
For a runny nose:
For a cough:
When choosing a cough medicine, look for one without alcohol.
Caution: Benzocaine, Menthol, and Phenol
Avoid the following cold medications while pregnant unless your healthcare provider recommends them:
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Aspirin use is associated with a higher risk of bleeding during delivery and the postpartum period.In some cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe low-dose aspirin to treat preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that using NSAIDs around 20 weeks or later may cause:
Pseudoephedrine
Decongestants containingpseudoephedrine, such asSudafedand Sudafed PE, should be avoided during the first trimester.
These medications can raise your blood pressure and have been linked to rare fetal abnormalities when used in the first trimester. For this reason, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends not taking pseudoephedrine during your first trimester.
Codeine
Codeine is an opioid used to relieve pain and treat coughs and colds. Taking codeine during your pregnancy increases the risk of:
Nasal sprays with triamcinolone
Pregnant women are more vulnerable to colds. Their immune system changes during pregnancy to protect the fetus. As a result, they’re more susceptible to the viruses that cause colds and the flu.
If you prefer to avoid medicines during pregnancy, the following natural approaches can ease your cold symptoms until the virus runs its course:
Though some herbal supplements may help relieve cold symptoms, consult your healthcare provider before taking them. Some may not be safe during pregnancy.
Summary
Pregnant women can safely take several medicines to ease cold symptoms. However, be sure to check the label for warnings and always consult with your healthcare provider before taking cold medications.
Over-the-counter medications that are safe include Tylenol (for aches and pains), Robitussin (for coughs), and Vicks (nasal spray or topical). These are only a few of the numerous brand names containing cold medications that are safe during pregnancy.
Apart from cold medicines, you can take steps to prevent a cold and try natural remedies to ease cold symptoms.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Illinois Health.Medications safe for pregnancy.University of Kentucky Healthcare.Over-the-counter medications that can be taken during pregnancy.Hastie R, Tong S, Wikström AK, et al.Aspirin use during pregnancy and the risk of bleeding complications: a Swedish population-based cohort study.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Jan;224(1):95.e1-95.e12. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.07.023.Jin J.Use of Aspirin During Pregnancy to Prevent Preeclampsia.JAMA. 2021;326(12):1222. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15900Food and Drug Administration.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS): drug safety communication - avoid use of NSAIDS in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What medicines can I take for allergies if I’m pregnant?March of Dimes.Prescription opioids during pregnancy.Bérard A, Sheehy O, Kurzinger ML, et al.J. Intranasal triamcinolone use during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancyoutcomes.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016 Jul;138(1):97-104.e7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2016.01.021.Alhussien AH, Alhedaithy RA, Alsaleh SA.Safety of intranasal corticosteroid sprays during pregnancy: an updated review.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Feb;275(2):325-333. doi:10.1007/s00405-017-4785-3.Centers for Disease Control.Preventing and treating the common cold.Duke Health.A flu vaccine protects mom, fetus, and infant.The University of New Mexico.Which cold and flu medicine is safe during pregnancy?
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Illinois Health.Medications safe for pregnancy.University of Kentucky Healthcare.Over-the-counter medications that can be taken during pregnancy.Hastie R, Tong S, Wikström AK, et al.Aspirin use during pregnancy and the risk of bleeding complications: a Swedish population-based cohort study.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Jan;224(1):95.e1-95.e12. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.07.023.Jin J.Use of Aspirin During Pregnancy to Prevent Preeclampsia.JAMA. 2021;326(12):1222. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15900Food and Drug Administration.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS): drug safety communication - avoid use of NSAIDS in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What medicines can I take for allergies if I’m pregnant?March of Dimes.Prescription opioids during pregnancy.Bérard A, Sheehy O, Kurzinger ML, et al.J. Intranasal triamcinolone use during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancyoutcomes.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016 Jul;138(1):97-104.e7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2016.01.021.Alhussien AH, Alhedaithy RA, Alsaleh SA.Safety of intranasal corticosteroid sprays during pregnancy: an updated review.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Feb;275(2):325-333. doi:10.1007/s00405-017-4785-3.Centers for Disease Control.Preventing and treating the common cold.Duke Health.A flu vaccine protects mom, fetus, and infant.The University of New Mexico.Which cold and flu medicine is safe during pregnancy?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Illinois Health.Medications safe for pregnancy.University of Kentucky Healthcare.Over-the-counter medications that can be taken during pregnancy.Hastie R, Tong S, Wikström AK, et al.Aspirin use during pregnancy and the risk of bleeding complications: a Swedish population-based cohort study.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Jan;224(1):95.e1-95.e12. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.07.023.Jin J.Use of Aspirin During Pregnancy to Prevent Preeclampsia.JAMA. 2021;326(12):1222. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15900Food and Drug Administration.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS): drug safety communication - avoid use of NSAIDS in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What medicines can I take for allergies if I’m pregnant?March of Dimes.Prescription opioids during pregnancy.Bérard A, Sheehy O, Kurzinger ML, et al.J. Intranasal triamcinolone use during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancyoutcomes.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016 Jul;138(1):97-104.e7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2016.01.021.Alhussien AH, Alhedaithy RA, Alsaleh SA.Safety of intranasal corticosteroid sprays during pregnancy: an updated review.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Feb;275(2):325-333. doi:10.1007/s00405-017-4785-3.Centers for Disease Control.Preventing and treating the common cold.Duke Health.A flu vaccine protects mom, fetus, and infant.The University of New Mexico.Which cold and flu medicine is safe during pregnancy?
University of Illinois Health.Medications safe for pregnancy.
University of Kentucky Healthcare.Over-the-counter medications that can be taken during pregnancy.
Hastie R, Tong S, Wikström AK, et al.Aspirin use during pregnancy and the risk of bleeding complications: a Swedish population-based cohort study.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Jan;224(1):95.e1-95.e12. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2020.07.023.
Jin J.Use of Aspirin During Pregnancy to Prevent Preeclampsia.JAMA. 2021;326(12):1222. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.15900
Food and Drug Administration.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS): drug safety communication - avoid use of NSAIDS in pregnancy at 20 weeks or later.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What medicines can I take for allergies if I’m pregnant?
March of Dimes.Prescription opioids during pregnancy.
Bérard A, Sheehy O, Kurzinger ML, et al.J. Intranasal triamcinolone use during pregnancy and the risk of adverse pregnancyoutcomes.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016 Jul;138(1):97-104.e7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2016.01.021.
Alhussien AH, Alhedaithy RA, Alsaleh SA.Safety of intranasal corticosteroid sprays during pregnancy: an updated review.Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Feb;275(2):325-333. doi:10.1007/s00405-017-4785-3.
Centers for Disease Control.Preventing and treating the common cold.
Duke Health.A flu vaccine protects mom, fetus, and infant.
The University of New Mexico.Which cold and flu medicine is safe during pregnancy?
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