Which antihistamines can I eat while I am pregnant?

Question: I am pregnant and now I catch a cold. Which antihistamines can I eat?

Answer: Antihistamines are generally supplied in the market including chlorpheniramine (CPM), loratadine, cetirizine and fexofenadine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has identified the risks that may occur from drug using in pregnant women, it is 5 category A, B, C, D and X. Sequentially, category A is the most safety and category X is the most dangerous.

Chlorpheniramine (CPM) and fexofenadine are classified in category C in the whole period of pregnancy, loratadine and cetirizine are classified in category B in the whole period of pregnancy.

Therefore, antihistamines are not a contraindication in pregnancy, but they should be used as needed. Cetirizine and loratadine are the kinds of drug that are safer than other drugs.

References:

1. Chlorpheniramine. In: DRUGDEX System [database on the internet]. Ann Arbor (MI): Truven Health Analytics; 2013 [cited 26 Nov 2013]. Available from: www.micromedexsolutions.com.

2. Loratadine. In: DRUGDEX System [database on the internet]. Ann Arbor (MI): Truven Health Analytics; 2013 [cited 26 Nov 2013]. Available from: www.micromedexsolutions.com.

3. Cetirizine. In: DRUGDEX System [database on the internet]. Ann Arbor (MI): Truven Health Analytics; 2013 [cited 26 Nov 2013]. Available from: www.micromedexsolutions.com.

4. Fexofenadine. In: DRUGDEX System [database on the internet]. Ann Arbor (MI): Truven Health Analytics; 2013 [cited 26 Nov 2013]. Available from: www.micromedexsolutions.com.