Baby & Pregnancy : Cough Medicine

COUGHS

The safest cough medicines are cough linctuses or lozenges with honey or glycerol in them.

It is best to be aware of all active ingredients. Some cough and cold treatments use a combination of ingredients such as antihistamines, painkillers and decongestants.

Guaifenesin expectorant is probably safe to use in the second and third trimesters, though little different from drinking a lot of water or steam inhalation. Animal studies showed some harm to fetuses and, although no reliable studies have been done on humans, there are concerns about possible links to inguinal hernia (related to the groin area) if used in the first trimester.

Dextromethorphan is relatively safe for a short time in small doses after the first trimester.

Avoid cough medicines with codeine especially in the third trimester.
Some cough medicines contain iodine, which can affect the baby’s thyroid gland, and are best avoided. Whilst iodine deficiency is a recognized problem, there are concerns that too much iodine is also harmful, so levels must be kept in check.

SAFETY OF MEDICINES IN PREGNANCY

The problem with determining the safety of medicines for use during pregnancy is that clinical drug trials are rarely carried out on pregnant women. Whilst evidence may come to light of drugs that do cause harm, most fall into the not proven category. This goes some way to explaining the policy of drug companies. Medicines can affect the unborn baby because they can enter the baby’s bloodstream, along with nutrients, via the placenta.

The trimesters of pregnancy are also factors in determining safety.

• In the first trimester, vital organs are just developing. Any medicines taken at this time could, therefore, cause birth defects or miscarriage.
• The second trimester is generally regarded as the safest in which medicines can be taken. They could, however, affect the baby’s growth and nervous system, leading to low birth weight.
• Medicines taken during the third trimester could stay in the baby’s system. This could cause such things as post birth breathing difficulties.
The properties of the womb environment could also be affected by some medicines. These changes could affect blood supply to the baby, or prolong or delay labour.
Without the aid of clinical trials to determine safety, the only other evidence that a medicine is not harmful comes from;
• it being in use over time with no recorded adverse effects,
• accidental exposure to it,
• any information that can be gathered from animal testing.

-Always consult your doctor-