
Phenergan, or Promethazine, is a medication used to treat nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, allergies, and sedation. It is also used to treat vertigo and sleep problems. While it can be used during pregnancy, it is important to weigh the benefits against the risks to the foetus. Some experts recommend avoiding its use in the two weeks prior to delivery due to reports of neonatal irritability and excitement, and there is a risk of slowed breathing in newborns if used late in pregnancy. Studies have not found evidence of an increased risk of congenital malformation, preterm delivery, low birth weight, or adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Should Phenergan be used during pregnancy? | Only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. |
US FDA pregnancy category | C |
AU TGA pregnancy category | C |
Miscarriage chance | One small study did not report an increased chance for miscarriage in people taking promethazine. |
Birth defects chance | Based on the studies reviewed, Phenergan is not expected to increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. |
Preterm delivery chance | It is not known if Phenergan can cause preterm delivery. |
Low birth weight chance | It is not known if Phenergan can cause low birth weight. |
Neonatal respiratory depression chance | Using Phenergan late in pregnancy might increase the chance of slowed breathing in newborns. |
Neonatal behavioral issues chance | Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if Phenergan increases the chance of behavioral issues. |
Neonatal learning issues chance | Based on the studies reviewed, it is not known if Phenergan increases the chance of learning issues. |
Breastfeeding chance | Phenergan is excreted into human milk. It is not recommended during breastfeeding, but a decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug. |
What You'll Learn
Phenergan is safe for use during pregnancy
Phenergan, or Promethazine, is a medication used to treat nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, and allergies. It is also used for sedation and treating vertigo. Phenergan is considered safe for use during pregnancy, although there are some risks to be aware of.
Firstly, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking Phenergan during pregnancy, as they can advise on the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy. While Phenergan has not been found to increase the chance of birth defects above the normal background risk of 3-5%, using it late in pregnancy might increase the risk of slowed breathing (respiratory depression) in newborns.
Additionally, some experts recommend avoiding Phenergan in the last two weeks of pregnancy due to reports of irritability, excitement, and inhibited platelet aggregation in exposed neonates. High doses given later in pregnancy have also resulted in prolonged neurological/extrapyramidal disturbances in neonates. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware if Phenergan is being taken during pregnancy so that appropriate neonatal care can be provided if needed.
Phenergan is also considered safe for use while breastfeeding. However, it is not known how much Phenergan passes into breast milk, and it may cause sleepiness in both the mother and the baby. If breastfeeding, it is recommended to take occasional doses or use Phenergan only for a short time, and to consult a healthcare provider about other medicines that might be better while breastfeeding.
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Phenergan is not safe for use during pregnancy
Phenergan, also known as promethazine, is not safe for use during pregnancy. While it is a medication that has been used to treat nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, and allergies, as well as for sedation, its use during pregnancy poses potential risks to the fetus.
Phenergan is classified as a Pregnancy Category C drug by both the AU TGA and the US FDA. This means that it has been suspected of causing harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate, without causing malformations. Animal studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, and while there are no well-controlled studies in humans, the potential benefits may outweigh the risks in certain cases.
Some experts recommend avoiding the use of Phenergan during the last two weeks of pregnancy due to reports of irritability, excitement, and inhibited platelet aggregation in exposed neonates. High doses given later in pregnancy have also resulted in prolonged neurological/extrapyramidal disturbances in newborns. Therefore, it is crucial that pregnant women discuss the benefits and risks of taking Phenergan with their healthcare providers before making any decisions regarding its use during pregnancy.
Furthermore, it is important to note that Phenergan can cause drowsiness, which can impact a pregnant woman's daily functioning and ability to perform certain tasks. Additionally, there may be alternative treatments available that are safer for use during pregnancy. For example, for the treatment of hay fever, a non-drowsy antihistamine like loratadine may be recommended by a doctor or pharmacist.
In conclusion, while Phenergan may be effective in treating various conditions, it is not safe for use during pregnancy due to the potential risks it poses to the fetus. Pregnant women should always consult their healthcare providers before taking any medication to ensure the safety of both themselves and their unborn child.
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Phenergan's effects on the fetus
Phenergan, or Promethazine, is an anti-nausea medication used to treat nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, and allergies. It is also used for sedation and treating vertigo. While Phenergan has been shown to be effective in treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, it should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks to the fetus.
Phenergan has been assigned a US FDA pregnancy category C rating, meaning that animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans. However, the potential benefits of using Phenergan during pregnancy may outweigh the potential risks. Animal models have not revealed evidence of teratogenicity at doses up to 4.2 times the maximum recommended human dose. However, when given intraperitoneal doses, fetal mortality did occur.
Some experts recommend avoiding the use of Phenergan two weeks prior to delivery due to reports of irritability, excitement, and inhibited platelet aggregation in exposed neonates. High doses of Phenergan given later in pregnancy have also resulted in prolonged neurological and extrapyramidal disturbances in the neonate.
There is limited data on the long-term effects of Phenergan exposure on the fetus. A small number of studies on children who were exposed to Phenergan in utero have not reported any harmful effects on learning and behavior. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential long-term impacts.
In summary, while Phenergan can be effective in treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, it should only be used if the benefits outweigh the potential risks to the fetus. There is limited data on the long-term effects of Phenergan exposure, and it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking this medication during pregnancy.
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Phenergan's effects on the mother
Phenergan, or Promethazine, is a sedating antihistamine used to treat nausea and vomiting, allergies, and insomnia. It is generally advised that the use of Phenergan during pregnancy should be avoided unless the benefits outweigh the risks to the foetus.
Phenergan has been shown to be effective in treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy without adverse effects on the foetus. However, it is important to note that high doses of Phenergan taken later in pregnancy have been linked to prolonged neurological and extrapyramidal disturbances in newborns. It is recommended that Phenergan be avoided in the last two weeks of pregnancy due to reports of irritability, excitement, and inhibited platelet aggregation in exposed neonates.
Phenergan can cause side effects in pregnant women such as drowsiness, headaches, nightmares, dizziness, restlessness, and confusion. It is important to note that these side effects may also occur in breastfeeding women and may be passed on to the baby through breast milk. Phenergan may also reduce milk production in breastfeeding women.
While Phenergan has not been shown to increase the risk of congenital malformations, preterm delivery, or low birth weight, there are potential risks to the foetus that should be carefully considered. It is important for pregnant women to consult their healthcare providers before taking Phenergan to weigh the benefits against the potential risks.
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Phenergan's effects on breastfeeding
Phenergan, also known as promethazine, is a drug that is used to treat nausea and vomiting. While it has been shown to be safe for pregnant women to take, with no adverse effects on the fetus, the same cannot be said with certainty for breastfeeding mothers.
Phenergan has a strong sedative effect and is excreted into human milk. It is recommended that breastfeeding mothers avoid using Phenergan, but if the benefits of the drug to the mother outweigh the risks to the infant, it can be taken in small doses. The drug may cause minor side effects in the infant, such as sedation, irritability, and excitement. It is important to monitor the child for these possible reactions, especially as side effects can vary depending on the age of the child, the time of medication, and the dosage.
Phenergan may also interfere with the establishment of lactation. It can lower basal prolactin secretion, which could cause issues if taken before lactation is well established. This effect on prolactin levels may also lead to a decrease in milk supply in lactating mothers.
Overall, while Phenergan is considered relatively low risk for breastfeeding mothers, it is still recommended that alternative antiemetics are used where possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Phenergan, or Promethazine, is a medication used to treat nausea, vomiting, allergies, sedation, and vertigo. While there is no good evidence that it is harmful to the baby, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before taking it during pregnancy as it can have side effects such as drowsiness.
Phenergan is an anti-nausea medication that has been shown to be effective in treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy without adverse effects on the fetus. However, it is important to consult your healthcare provider before taking any medication during pregnancy.
Yes, Phenergan can cause drowsiness in adults and may have the same effect on a nursing baby. It is also important to note that using Phenergan late in pregnancy might increase the risk of slowed breathing in newborns.
Phenergan can affect home pregnancy tests, so it is recommended to consult your doctor if you are trying to conceive.