Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Ask a Pharmacist (Expert Forum)
Hydroxyzine and Pregnancy
Answered by
the drugstore.com™ pharmacy
Questions in the Ask a Pharmacist Forum are being answered by pharmacists from the drugstore.com™ pharmacy. Topics include: General information on prescription medication, over-the-counter medications, brand drugs, generic equivalents, common uses, drug therapy, drug interactions, possible side effects, travel medications, pill identification and proper disposal of expired, damaged and unusable medications
Hydroxyzine and Pregnancy
by ThinkingPregnant, Sep 17, 2009 06:37AM
Please advise the risks of taking hydroxyzine while pregnant. If the risks are too great, is there an alternative histamine blocker that has been successful in pregnancy? Is it best to avoid Hyrdroxyzine or any anti-histamines all together?
Age
:
36
Sex
:
Female
Weight
:
Pleading 5th
Current Medications
:
Hydroxyzine HCL 25mg
Drug Allergies
:
NKDA
Medical Conditions
:
High Blood Pressure
Skin Writer (dermographism)
Skin Writer (dermographism)
Doctor's Answer
by Sandra Y, RPh, Sep 17, 2009 01:04PM
, Sep 17, 2009 01:04PM
Hydroxyzine is not safe to take during the first trimester. It's classified as pregnancy catergory C in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. This means Hydroxyzine-induced fetal abnormalities at high dosages have been shown in animal studies. Hydroxyzine is sometimes given intermittently during labor or around the time of delivery to relieve anxiety, and is usually considered safe and effective for this purpose.
Claritin or Chlorpheniramine can be administered during pregnancy only when the benefits of therapy outweigh the potential risks to the fetus, and use should be limited to short-term, 'as needed' administration under the prescription of a qualified health-care professional. Non-pharmacologic methods (e.g., fluids, and rest) are recommended to be tried first for symptomatic relief of colds or allergies during pregnancy.
Claritin or Chlorpheniramine can be administered during pregnancy only when the benefits of therapy outweigh the potential risks to the fetus, and use should be limited to short-term, 'as needed' administration under the prescription of a qualified health-care professional. Non-pharmacologic methods (e.g., fluids, and rest) are recommended to be tried first for symptomatic relief of colds or allergies during pregnancy.
