Allergy medication during 1st trimester

[Flikwerks]

I am 5 weeks pregnant and my allergies are out of control. I ahve an 11 month old and with her I managed on Benadryl for the first trimester but it is just not working this time. I normally take Zyrtec and did so my last pregnancy almost every day after my first trimester. Has anyone else taken antihistimines during the 1st trimester and how did everything go? I do not want to harm the fetus but I know I cannot hold out for the next 7-8 weeks.

HELP!

[DollChina]

I had to take Zyrtec with my first and it was fine.  Just check with your OB.

[peekawho]

Usually, your doctor gives you a list of medications that are safe to take during each trimester.

Its always best to check with your doctor.  Or, there's a new Ask a Pharmacist forum here on Med Help.

[tiredbuthappy]

neither my OB nor DH (a pharmacist) allowed me to take any antihistimine in the first trimester. i was pretty bad and took sudafed occasionally. after the first trimester i was still having problems but only allowed to take benadryl. i would puke from my post nasal drip every morning. ick.

however, i know that my coworker's allergies are worse than mine and her OB, a different doctor, allowed her to take some medications. i guess it boils down to all doctors having different philosophies and then weighing risks vs benefits. so this is definitely something you should discuss with your OB. i think one of the reasons why they let me take the benadryl after the first trimester was because benadryl has been for a very long time and its effects on pregnancies have been studied. many of these newer antihistimines and allergy medications haven't been around as long.