Safe cold medications

[ikis84]

I was just wondering if anyone knows what is safe to take for a cold during pregnancy? (I am 18 wks)

[littlepickle]

garlic capsules? You can take panadol but not nurofen or anything like that therefore something like lemsip should be ok as it contains paracetamol (just make sure you dont go for the extra strength one as I am not sure if that has codeine in it. Best bet is to speak to your pharmacist. Hope you feel better soon :hugs:

[hayleylea]

umm i think the docs advise you just to try and ride it out!! I had a cold and went to the doc when i was pregnant and he did tell me if i got really bad there was one i could take but i cant remember!:o I hope you feel better soon:hugs:

[hippee]

Hello!
I am just getting over the flu and I had a terrible cough that I couldn't get over after a week(ended up with antibiotics). You can take Durotuss for the cough. I got my information from Mothercare it's a 1800# that I posted here last week (but can't find now) If you call your local hospital they will give you the number. Mothercare is there to advise on safe medications and chemicals etc....
I hope you feel better soon..

[hippee]

I found the number for Mothercare 1800647848 toll free number business hours Mon Fri

[p4purple]

Fresh pineapple juice can break up a chesty mucousy cough and is loaded with vitamin C but be care ful if you have heart burn.

Hot honey and lemon can be soothing as well.

[Tam-I-Am]

Paracetamol and codeine are both category A medications in pregnancy - so you can take panadol and panadeine + panadeine forte, but only for a limited amount of time, and only under a doctor's supervision. If it's just a cold, you're probably going to have to ride it out, I'm afraid, if it turns into an upper-respiratory tract infection - you will need some antibiotics from your doctor - there are some that are safe during pregnancy.

I have a friend who had about 7 different types of upper respiratory infections at once at about the same stage of her pregnancy, and her OB recommended that she use a particular type of cold-and-flu tablet, but I don't know which one it was, and she did it under her OB's direct supervision - ie she was having a check-up EVERY day!

It really is best not to take any medication if you can avoid (except panadol - completely safe).

Sorry I haven't been much help!

[ikis84]

Thanks everyone!

Normally I would just ride it out, but I am so busy atm and cannot afford to be out of action. I think I am going to go have a padadol and honey and lemon and get some ZZZZZ. :gloomy: Blagh Life must wait for the pregnant sick woman... must put my health and bubs health first

[Harlequin]

I've had the flu all last week and have just been drinking honey, sugar, lemon in boiling water with a teabag dunked a few times (i add a little cold water at the end).

Im getting over it but my throat is scratchy and sore. The pharmacist said I can have Vick Vapodrops, so I got some in Butter Menthol. Has anyone heard otherwise?

[Tam-I-Am]

No, vicks vapour drops, and other throat lozenges should be okay - they're not medicated, and even if they were, it would be in such small amounts that as long as you didn't overdose on them it would be okay.

The other thing you might want to try is a saline nasal spray - helps clear the mucous, again its non-medicated, so there is nothing in it to harm the baby, and it really works for getting the nasties out of your sinus'. I have recurrent sinusitis, and I can often clear an infection just with saline sprays.

Just a note - your pharmacist will be more knowledgeable about medications and their safety in pregnancy than most GPs (NOT obs), so if in doubt, ask a pharmacist or an OB.