Allergy medications and pregnancy What s safe? Mayo Clinic
Allergy medications and pregnancy: What's safe? - Mayo Clinic
verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.Appointments at Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Healthy LifestylePregnancy week by week
Products and servicesIs it safe to take Claritin or other allergy medications during pregnancy
Answer From Mary Marnach, M.D. Allergy medications are sometimes recommended during pregnancy. However, before you take an allergy medication, consider ways to reduce your symptoms, including: Avoiding triggers. Limit your exposure to anything that triggers your allergy symptoms. Saline nasal spray. Saline nasal spray you can buy at a drug store can help ease symptoms. Use the spray as needed. Nasal irrigation. Once a day or as needed, fill a neti pot with a saline nasal solution or specially prepared water. Then tilt your head sideways over the sink and place the spout of the neti pot in your upper nostril. Breathing through your open mouth, pour in the liquid so it drains through your lower nostril. Repeat on the other side. Water should be distilled or sterile, previously boiled and cooled, or passed through a filter designed to trap potentially infectious organisms. Physical activity. Exercise helps reduce nasal inflammation. Nasal strips. Adhesive nasal strips can help keep your nasal passages open. Elevating the head of the bed. Raising the head of the bed by 30 to 45 degrees by placing objects, such as bricks, under the legs, might help ease symptoms. If you're considering taking an allergy medication, talk to your health care provider about the risks and benefits. To manage mild allergy symptoms, he or she might recommend an oral antihistamine such as loratadine (Claritin, Alavert) or cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy). For moderate to severe symptoms, your health care provider might recommend a nonprescription corticosteroid spray at the lowest effective dose, in addition to an oral antihistamine. Options include budesonide nasal spray (Rhinocort Allergy) and fluticasone nasal spray (Flonase Allergy Relief). With Mary Marnach, M.D. Air travel during pregnancyAnkle swelling during pregnancy ShareTweet Dec. 04, 2021 Show references Schatz M. Recognition and management of allergic disease during pregnancy. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 13, 2021. Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe? Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm. Accessed Jan. 9, 2018. Briggs GG, et al. Loratadine. In: Briggs Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. 12th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2022. Briggs GG, et al. Cetirizine. In: Briggs Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. 12th ed. Wolters Kluwer; 2022. See more Expert AnswersProducts and Services
Book: ObstetricksAvailable Solutions for Prenatal Nutrition from Mayo Clinic StoreBook: Taking Care of YouBook: Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy PregnancySee also
Air travel during pregnancyAnkle swelling during pregnancyAntibiotics and pregnancyAspirin during pregnancyBaby brainPregnancy back painFalling during pregnancy: Reason to worry?Flu and pregnancyFlu shot in pregnancyHeadaches during pregnancy: What's the best treatment?Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy: Prevention tipsKratom and pregnancy: Not a safe mixLeg cramps during pregnancyMarijuana during pregnancy: What's the harm?PlacentaPregnancy acnePregnancy and exercisePregnancy and fishPregnancy and hot tubsPregnancy basicsPregnancy constipationPregnancy diet: Essential nutrientsPregnancy due date calculatorPregnancy nutrition don'tsPregnancy weight gainPregnant. Now What Happens?Prenatal testingPrenatal testing: Quick guide to common testsPrenatal vitamins and pregnancyPrenatal yogaSex during pregnancySleep during pregnancyVegetable recipesFetal ultrasoundTwin pregnancyVaccines during pregnancyVaping during pregnancyFetal ultrasoundWorking during pregnancyX-ray during pregnancyShow more related contentAdvertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad ChoicesMayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE bookOther Topics in Patient Care & Health Info
Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20058122 Healthy Lifestyle Pregnancy week by week Expert Answers Allergy medications and pregnancy Whats safeMayo Clinic Footer
Request AppointmentSymptom CheckerGive NowContact UsAbout Mayo ClinicEmployeesSite MapAbout This SiteLegal Conditions and Terms
Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage CookiesReprint Permissions
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.HON
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.