Is Benadryl safe during pregnancy?

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Benadryl is considered to be safe during pregnancy. Doctors and nurses recommend this OTC medication to help relieve allergy symptoms, even while you’re pregnant. Recent studies have found Benadryl to be safe. However, always remember that no medicine — prescription or OTC — is ever 100 percent safe during pregnancy.

How much Benadryl can a pregnant woman take?

Benadryl is safe to take during pregnancy and it has not been linked to birth defects. You can take the same dose as all adults — 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours.

Can Benadryl harm your baby?

Therefore, Benadryl is not safe for infants as a general rule. This is because the active ingredient diphenhydramine is an antihistamine, which can be dangerous to children younger than two. Because Benadryl is an antihistamine, it can cause serious or even fatal side effects in infants.

Does Benadryl cross the placenta?

The Food and Drug Administration has given Benadryl category B status, which means that the drug does cross the placental barrier, but there are no known side effects to the fetus when this happens.

What pregnancy category is Benadryl?

OTC Decongestants, Expectorants, and Nonselective Antihistamines in Pregnancy

Drug name	FDA pregnancy risk classification	Drug class
Dextromethorphan hydrobromide (Benylin DM)	C	Non-narcotic antitussive
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)	B	Antihistamine/antiemetic
Clemastine fumarate (Tavist)	B	Antihistamine

Is Benadryl safe during pregnancy for sleep?

But, said Dr. Riley, “I tell my patients not to use them.” While diphenhydramine (Benadryl), the most commonly recommended over-the-counter sleep medicine by doctors, can help and is safe to take occasionally while pregnant, it loses its effectiveness if you take it more than once or twice a week, Dr. Riley said.

Can adults take children’s Benadryl while pregnant?

Yes, it is generally safe to take Benadryl while pregnant. However, pregnant women should consult their doctors before taking any over-the-counter medication, including Benadryl. The FDA has classified Benadryl as a medication that poses no risks to humans during pregnancy.

What is the safest antihistamine during pregnancy?

But loratadine (found in Claritin®) and cetirizine (found in Zyrtec® and Alleroff®) are two over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine medications that doctors consider as being safe to use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, Dr. Zanotti says.

How much Benadryl can a 1 year old have?

Dosage chart

Weight of Child	Liquid suspension*	Chewable tablets*
20 to 24 lbs.	3.75 mL	do not use
25 to 37 lbs.	5 mL	1 tablet
38 to 49 lbs.	7.5 mL	1 tablet
	*every 4–6 hours	*every 4–6 hours

Will Benadryl slow down labor?

Medicine to help you sleep: If you are in early labor and are very tired, sometimes it can be a good idea to take some medicine to help you sleep so you will have energy to manage active labor when it comes. A medication such as Benadryl®, Vistaril® or Ambien® may be recommended.

Can you take anything for sleep while pregnant?

Here’s the deal. The over-the-counter antihistamines diphenhydramine and doxylamine are safe at recommended doses during pregnancy, even for extended periods. (These are the ingredients found in Benadryl, Diclegis, Sominex, and Unisom, for example.)

What antihistamine can I take while pregnant?

Many allergy drugs may be fine to keep taking during pregnancy, but have the discussion so you can have peace of mind. Oral antihistamines, like cetirizine (Zyrtec), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin) seem to be safe.

What can I do for allergies while pregnant?

Step-by-Step Care:

Try to avoid your allergy triggers.
Use saline nose spray to ease your congestion.
Keep animals out of your bedroom.
Vacuum often. …
Use the air conditioner to keep humidity low and irritants out of the house. …
Shower and wash your hair after being outdoors if pollen sets off your allergies.

What can you take for allergies while pregnant?

Safe OTC Allergy Meds to Take During Pregnancy

Allegra (fexofenadine)
Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Claritin (loratadine)
Zyrtec (cetirizine)

What meds are OK to take while pregnant?

Which Medications Are Safe During Pregnancy?

Safe to take: Regular and extra-strength Tylenol (acetaminophen)
Safe to take: Metamucil, Colace, Citracel, Milk of Magnesia, Dulcolax.
Safe to take: Tums, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepcid.
Safe to take: Penicillin.
Safe to take: Monistat, Gynelotrimin.