23/09/2022
Cough medicine in pregnancy
Coughing is a natural reflex that protects the lungs by removing germs, harmful materials and foreign particles from the airways. Acute coughs usually last no longer than three to four weeks. They are most commonly caused by infections in the upper airways. Chronic coughs, on the other hand, are coughs that last longer than eight weeks. Dry or unproductive coughs do not produce any mucus or phlegm, whereas wet or productive coughs do. During pregnancy, it is generally safe to use medicine to treat both dry and productive coughs where it is necessary to do so. Patients need to be careful when using medicine to treat a cough while pregnant because not all cough medicines are safe to take in pregnancy.
Causes of coughing
Coughing is caused by inflammation of the mucous membrane in the airways. Cold and flu viruses are the most common trigger of short-term coughs. Other common causes of acute coughs include pneumonia, heart disease or breathing in irritants. Chronic coughs may be caused by smoking, long-term exposure to harmful substances or medical conditions such as asthma or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Cough medicine during pregnancy
Generally speaking, acute coughs caused by a cold or the flu are not a cause for concern during pregnancy and the symptoms subside after a few weeks. However, if the cough is persistent and irritating, it can be treated using medicine, even if you are pregnant. Coughs can be treated using a range of different medicines or active ingredients.You may have questions about how safe these medicines are during pregnancy:
- Cough suppressants: dextromethorphan (Wick MediNait, Hustenstiller-Ratiopharm, etc.), codeine (Gelonida, Talvosilen, Tussoret, etc.), noscapine (Capval), dihydrocodeine (Paracodin), dropropizine (Larylin), levodropropizine (Quimbo)
- Cough expectorants: ambroxol (Mucosolvan, etc.), acetylcysteine (Fluimucil, NAC- Ratiopharm, etc.)
- Herbal products, e.g. ribwort (Broncho-Sern), marshmallow root (Phytohustil), Iceland moss (Aspecton, Isla-Moos), ivy leaves (Hedelix, Prospan), thyme (Bronchicum, Soledum, etc.), primrose root (Bronchipret, Phytobronchin, Heumann Bronchialtee)
Risks of cough medicines during pregnancy
Taking cough medicine during pregnancy may cause various side effects, such as an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and dizziness. It is extremely important to choose the right cough medicine during pregnancy since adequate pregnancy safety data is only available for a small number of medicines. There are, however, cough medicines that are safe to take during pregnancy, making them the preferred treatment option.
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