Is It Safe for My Baby? - Allergy Medications

(e.g., antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) and loratadine (Claritin®); nasal sprays such as beclomethasone (Beconase®)

Risks During Pregnancy

• Most allergy medications are safe.
• Antihistamines that cause drowsiness are preferred to the newer non-drowsy types because the ones that cause drowsiness have been around longer and have been shown to be safe.

Recommendations During Pregnancy

• Read labels carefully or ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you choose an allergy medicine.
• Ask your doctor about the possibility of prescribing a steroid nasal spray. All steroid nasal sprays are safe.

Risks During Breastfeeding

• Most allergy medications are safe.
• Antihistamines that cause drowsiness in the mother may cause drowsiness in the baby.

Recommendations During Breastfeeding

• Read labels carefully or ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you choose an allergy medicine.
• It may not be a possibility, but ask your doctor if you can time your dose with breastfeeding times.
• Ask your doctor about the option of using a steroid nasal spray. All steroid nasal sprays are safe.

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