Suffering through a cough and cold is unpleasant for anyone, but dealing with a bad cough when pregnant is even worse. Fortunately, certain cough medicines during pregnancy have been deemed "low-risk" and should be fine for most pregnant women to take. However, consult a doctor before taking cough medicine or any other type of over-the-counter medicine during pregnancy.
Warning
While some cough medicines are considered safe during pregnancy, experts advise that women refrain from taking any form of over-the-counter medicine during pregnancy unless it is absolutely necessary.
Types
The following types of cough medicine are considered safe during pregnancy: the expectorant guaifenesin (Robitussin, Mucinex), the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough, Vicks 44 Cough Relief), guaifenesin plus dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM), and most cough drops.
Time Frame
None of these cough medicines safe during pregnancy should be taken for more than a few days, because prolonged use could be harmful to the fetus.
Considerations
Cough medicines do not actually "cure" a cough, rather they help to temporarily relieve symptoms. For this reason, some pregnant women and their doctors do not consider cough medicines necessary.
Effects
When taken responsibly, these cough medicines should not harm a pregnancy. Because suffering from a bad cough can be miserable when pregnant, many pregnant women and their doctors believe the benefits of taking cough medicine during pregnancy outweigh the risks to the fetus.
Tags: during pregnancy, cough medicines, pregnant women, safe during, safe during pregnancy, considered safe