Aine Sawyer
Piriton is the brand name for chlorphenamine, an antihistamine used to treat hay fever, skin allergies, and other allergic symptoms. It is known as a sedating antihistamine, which means it is likely to make you feel sleepy. While there is no strong evidence that chlorphenamine is harmful to a baby in the womb, only a small number of pregnant women taking the medication have been studied. As such, it is not possible to say with certainty that it does not affect a baby in some way. If you are pregnant and considering taking Piriton, it is important to consult your doctor or another healthcare professional to weigh the benefits against the possible risks to you and your baby.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Piriton safe in early pregnancy? | There is no strong evidence that Piriton is harmful to a baby in the womb. However, because only a small number of pregnant women taking Piriton have been studied, it is not possible to say for certain that it does not affect a baby in some way. |
| What if I have already taken Piriton during pregnancy? | If you have taken or are taking any medicines, it is always a good idea to let your doctor know that you are pregnant so that you can decide together whether you still need the medicines that you are on and if so, to make sure that you are taking the lowest dose that works, and only for as long as you need to. |
| Can taking Piriton in pregnancy cause birth defects in the baby? | A baby’s body and most internal organs are formed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is mainly during this time that some medicines are known to cause birth defects. There is no evidence that Piriton causes birth defects, but more research is needed. |
| Can taking Piriton in pregnancy cause miscarriage? | One very small study found no link between taking Piriton in early pregnancy and miscarriage. While this is reassuring, many more women need to be studied to confirm this finding. |
| Can taking Piriton in pregnancy cause stillbirth, preterm birth or a low birth weight baby? | No studies have investigated the occurrence of stillbirth, preterm birth, or the chance of having a low birth weight baby in women who took Piriton during pregnancy. |
| Can taking Piriton in pregnancy cause learning and behavioural problems in the child? | A baby’s brain continues to develop up until the end of pregnancy. It is therefore possible that taking certain medicines at any stage of pregnancy could have a lasting effect on a child’s learning or behaviour. No studies have assessed learning and behaviour in children exposed to Piriton in the womb. |
| Will my baby need extra monitoring? | Taking Piriton in pregnancy would not normally require extra monitoring of your baby before birth. |
| Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken Piriton? | No studies have specifically investigated whether Piriton used by the father can harm the baby through effects on the sperm, however, most experts agree that this is very unlikely. |
What You'll Learn
- Piriton is an antihistamine used to treat allergies and hay fever
- There is no strong evidence that Piriton harms the baby but it can cause drowsiness
- Doctors may recommend non-drowsy antihistamines before Piriton
- Piriton may be prescribed for use during pregnancy but is not the first choice
- Always consult a doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy
Piriton is an antihistamine used to treat allergies and hay fever
While Piriton can be used to treat allergies during pregnancy, it is important to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking it. There is uncertainty regarding the use of antihistamines during pregnancy, as no antihistamines have been formally categorised as safe for this purpose. Doctors will typically recommend other treatments, such as nasal sprays, nose drops, or eye drops, before considering antihistamine tablets.
If antihistamine tablets are deemed necessary, your doctor may prescribe Loratadine or Cetirizine, which are considered suitable for use during pregnancy as they do not cause drowsiness. Piriton, on the other hand, may not be the first choice due to its sedating side effects.
It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before taking any medication during pregnancy, as some medicines can be harmful to the developing baby.
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There is no strong evidence that Piriton harms the baby but it can cause drowsiness
Piriton is the brand name for chlorphenamine, an antihistamine used to treat hay fever, skin allergies, and other allergic symptoms. It is available on prescription and over the counter from pharmacies. It is known as a sedating or drowsy antihistamine, which means it is likely to make you feel sleepy.
There is no strong evidence that Piriton harms the baby. However, only a small number of pregnant women taking chlorphenamine have been studied, so it is not possible to say for certain that it does not affect a baby in some way. As a result, it is important to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking Piriton during pregnancy. They will help weigh the benefits against the possible risks to you or your baby, depending on how many weeks pregnant you are.
Piriton can cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating. These side effects may seriously affect your ability to drive and use machinery. If you are pregnant and experiencing hay fever symptoms, it is recommended to first try a nasal spray, nose drops, or eye drops. If these don't work, your doctor may prescribe you antihistamine tablets, but these will likely be non-drowsy antihistamines such as Loratadine or Cetirizine. Antihistamines that cause drowsiness, like Piriton, may also be prescribed but are often not the first choice due to the drowsy side effects.
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Doctors may recommend non-drowsy antihistamines before Piriton
Piriton, also known as chlorphenamine, is a sedating or drowsy antihistamine. It is used to treat allergies and relieve symptoms such as itchy eyes, hives, insect bites, and stings. While there is no strong evidence that it is harmful to a baby in the womb, doctors may recommend non-drowsy antihistamines before Piriton due to the potential side effects of drowsiness and reduced coordination, reaction speed, and judgment.
Non-drowsy antihistamines are less likely to interfere with everyday routines and are generally considered safer during pregnancy. Some examples of non-drowsy antihistamines include:
- Loratadine (also sold under brand names like Clarityn and Allereze)
- Cetirizine (also sold under brand names like Piriteze, Benadryl Allergy, and Allacan)
- Fexofenadine (found in Allegra)
- Acrivastine (found in Benadryl)
These non-drowsy antihistamines have been found to be effective in relieving allergy symptoms and are often recommended by doctors for pregnant women. However, it is always best to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before taking any medication during pregnancy to weigh the benefits against the potential risks.
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Piriton may be prescribed for use during pregnancy but is not the first choice
Piriton, also known as chlorphenamine, is an antihistamine used to treat hay fever, skin allergies, and other allergic symptoms. It is available on prescription and over the counter from pharmacies.
There is no strong evidence that chlorphenamine is harmful to a baby in the womb. However, only a small number of pregnant women taking chlorphenamine have been studied, so it is not possible to say for certain that it does not affect a baby in some way.
If you are pregnant and considering taking Piriton, it is important to speak to your doctor first. Your doctor will help you weigh the benefits of taking Piriton against the possible risks to you and your baby, depending on how many weeks pregnant you are.
Piriton can be prescribed for use during pregnancy, but it may not be the first choice due to its drowsy side effects. Non-drowsy antihistamines such as loratadine and cetirizine are often considered more suitable for use during pregnancy. These non-drowsy alternatives are preferred by many doctors as there is still some uncertainty around antihistamine use in pregnancy. No antihistamines have been formally categorised as safe during pregnancy, so doctors typically perform a careful risk-benefit assessment before prescribing them to pregnant women.
If you are experiencing hay fever symptoms during pregnancy, your doctor will usually advise you to try a nasal spray, nose drops, or eye drops first. Steroid nasal sprays, such as Flixonase, Beconase, or Nasonex, are safe to use during pregnancy and can help unblock your nose and sinuses by reducing inflammation.
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Always consult a doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy
Pregnant or planning to become pregnant? Always consult a doctor before taking any medication.
Pregnancy is a delicate time, and many medicines may be unsafe during this period. It is always best to ask your doctor, midwife, pharmacist, or another trusted healthcare professional before taking any medication, even over-the-counter drugs.
Some medicines can harm your growing baby. This includes certain standard over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen, and high-dose aspirin. Antihistamines, including Piriton, also fall into this category. While there is no strong evidence that Piriton is harmful to a baby in the womb, only a small number of pregnant women taking it have been studied, so it is not possible to say for certain that it does not affect a baby in some way.
If you are taking prescription medication and are planning to become pregnant, talk to your healthcare professional as soon as possible. They will advise you on whether it is safe to continue your medication or if you should switch to or stop taking a particular drug.
Your healthcare professional will weigh the benefits of taking medication against any risks to your pregnancy. It is your decision whether to continue, switch, or stop taking medication, but do not stop taking any medication before talking to a doctor first, as this may be harmful.
If you are pregnant and experiencing hay fever symptoms, it is recommended that you first try natural remedies, such as wearing wraparound sunglasses to prevent pollen from entering your eyes, and keeping windows closed when pollen counts are high. If these do not bring relief, talk to your doctor. They may advise you to try a nasal spray, nose drops, or eye drops first, and if these don't work, they may prescribe you antihistamine tablets.
Antihistamines that cause drowsiness, such as Piriton, can be prescribed during pregnancy but are usually not a doctor's first choice because of the drowsy side effects. Loratadine and Cetirizine are the tablets most often prescribed in these circumstances, as they do not cause drowsiness and are considered suitable for use during pregnancy.
Remember, always consult your doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no strong evidence that Piriton (chlorphenamine) is harmful to a baby in the womb. However, because only a small number of pregnant women taking chlorphenamine have been studied, it is not possible to say for certain that it does not affect a baby in some way. It is always best to consult your doctor, midwife, pharmacist, or another trusted healthcare professional before taking any medication during pregnancy.
Piriton is a sedating antihistamine, which means that it can make you feel drowsy and sleepy. Other common side effects include nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating.
It is not recommended to take Piriton during pregnancy without explicit approval from your doctor. Many antihistamine tablets, including Piriton, cannot be sold for use during pregnancy without a prescription. Your doctor will assess the risks and benefits and advise you on the best course of action.
