Cough medicine for pregnant women that is safe for consumption & bull; hello healthy

Pregnant mothers should be careful in taking medicines. The reason is, everything that is consumed by the mother will also have an effect on the fetus in her womb. Well, then what if you have a cough while pregnant? When you have a cough, you have to be wiser in choosing cough medicines for pregnant women which are safe and have no risk of causing side effects.

Not only do you need to know what cough medicines can be consumed, you also need to be aware of cough medicines that are not recommended when pregnant. For more details, see the following reviews about cough medicines for pregnant women.

Can you take medicines while pregnant?

During pregnancy, the mother's body undergoes many changes, including the way the immune system works. This makes those of you who are pregnant more susceptible to diseases such as coughs.

In order to keep the condition of the mother and the fetus in good health, you must immediately overcome the cough. Unfortunately, when pregnant you should not take medication carelessly because some drugs can increase the risk of defects in the fetus.

According to the University of Michigan Health System, you should avoid taking any medications within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy or the first trimester. Because, at that time is an important time for the development of your baby's organs so that the baby is most vulnerable to the side effects of drugs.

It is also important to take cough medicine for pregnant women according to the recommended dosage. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any medications you were taking before pregnancy. Your doctor will tell you whether it is still safe to take cough medicine while pregnant and if not, your doctor will recommend other alternatives.

Avoid taking cough medicines for pregnant women that contain several ingredients to treat many symptoms at once. Better to take cough medicine that can treat the symptoms you are currently feeling.

Safe cough medicine for pregnant women

Here are some cough medicine recommendations for pregnant women that are safe to consume after the gestational age reaches 12 weeks.

Even so, this cough medicine still has a mild risk of pregnancy. Therefore, mothers still have to consult and discuss with their doctor before taking this cough medicine.

1. Expectorant

Expectorant cough medicine is generally used as a cough medicine.

This cough medicine for pregnant women contains guaifenesin which functions to dissolve clotted phlegm or mucus. So this cough medicine is good for relieving a cough with phlegm. The side effects of guaifenesin usually resemble an allergic reaction, but this is rare

The correct dose for taking this cough medicine while pregnant is 200-400 milligrams per 4 hours not to exceed 2.4 grams in 24 hours.

2. Antitussive

Antitussives are a class of suppressant drugs that are useful for relieving coughs. The exact mechanism of its function is not known, but the drug, which is often used to treat dry cough, works directly on the brain.

Antitussives will inhibit the function of the brain stem which regulates the cough response and reflex so that the frequency of coughing can be reduced.

There are various antitussive drugs, and most of them are included in the opioid class which has side effects such as drowsiness and dependence.

One of the safe antitussive drugs for pregnant women is dextromethorphan. Cough medicine for pregnant women that is included in the suppressant class can relieve dry cough symptoms quickly.

The safe dose for using this cough medicine during pregnancy is 10-30 milligrams which can be taken per 4-8 hours. The maximum dose of cough medicine in a day or 12 hours of this medicine is 120 milligrams.

To find out whether this over-the-counter cough medicine that is sold in pharmacies contains dextromerthorphan or not, you can look at the drug packaging section. Generally, the dextromethorphan content in cough medicines is marked with the label "DM" on the medicine package.

3. Decongestants

Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are included in the decongestant class, which are drugs commonly used to treat coughs and flu. But can it be used as a cough medicine for pregnancy?

In a study conducted on pregnant women in Sweden, it was found that there was no risk of pregnancy occurring after taking drugs containing decongestants.

Decongestants in the form of inhaled drugs such as xylometazoline and oxymetazoline are also known to be safe to use as cough medicines for pregnant women, although they still have to be aware of the side effects they cause.

Side effects that arise from consuming this dry cough medicine are drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, stomach pain or nausea, and dry throat.

Patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and prostate disorders are also advised to consult their doctor first before taking them.

4.Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID)

Research conducted by the Canadian Medical Association Journal states that there is no increased risk of miscarriage due to analgesic drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac.

NSAIDs used as medicines for pregnant women can relieve pain from ongoing cough symptoms. Even so, the amount of salicylate contained in aspirin can cause blood vessel problems in the baby if consumed at the end of gestational age.

Cough medicine that is not recommended for pregnant women

The use of combination cough medicines does not directly have a negative impact on the fetus. However, when consumed as cough medicine during pregnancy for a long time with high doses, the risk will be even higher.

Therefore, you must be aware of some of the ingredients of drugs that have a high risk of pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, here are the ingredients of cough medicines that pregnant women should avoid:

1. Codeine

Medicines that are included in the opioid class can cause dependence on the baby at birth if given in the womb. If codeine is used as a cough medicine for pregnant women, it can cause newborns to experience breathing problems.

2. Alcohol

If pregnant women take drugs that contain high alcohol levels, these drugs can cause disabilities in the baby.

3. Iodide

Calcium iodide and iodinated glycerol should not be taken as cough medicine during pregnancy. Iodide can cause swelling of the thyroid gland in the fetus and damage to the baby's respiratory tract if taken for a long time

The lack of research related to the administration of OTC drugs as cough medicine for pregnant women causes a lack of known side effects from the use of these drugs.

We recommend that you always read the rules of use before taking this cough medicine. Although some drugs are declared safe for pregnant women, you should consume this cough medicine not to exceed the regulated dose.

When to go to the doctor

If your condition does not improve after taking cough medicine, you should immediately consult a doctor. Avoid taking pregnant cough medicine for a long time without a doctor's prescription. Reporting from the American Pregnancy Association, you should immediately consult a doctor if:

The cough doesn't get better in a few days.
This condition causes you to lose your appetite or have trouble sleeping for several days.
You have a fever of 38.8 degrees Celsius or higher.
You start to have a cough with phlegm with an unusual coloration of mucus.
Your cough is accompanied by chest pain and chills. This may be caused by an infection, so you need to see a doctor to get cough medicine for pregnant women such as antibiotics.

Home remedies for coughs during pregnancy

However, before taking cough medicine for pregnant women, doctors usually recommend simple treatment at home first. You are usually advised to get plenty of rest, drink water, and supplement with the consumption of vitamins that strengthen your immune system.

If you don't feel an appetite, try to keep your body fed by eating six smaller portions a day.

Apart from cough medicines, some home remedies that pregnant women can do to treat their coughs if the symptoms don't get better are:

Spray salt water down the throat or gargle with the salt water.
Inhaling hot steam from warm water or steam to circulate air in the respiratory tract.
Drink honey mixed with lemon and tea every night to speed up the healing of the infection in the throat while sleeping.