Safe Medications for cold and sinus symptoms in pregnancy:

• Pain and Fever: 

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)- pain and fever

• May use 1,000mg every 8 hours. Do not exceed 3000 mg/ day. 

• ACOG statement on Tylenol use in pregnancy

• Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine statement on Tylenol use in pregnancy

• Congestion: 

• Steroid nasal sprays like Flonase (fluticasone) or Nasonex

• Neti pot (will sterile water only), Saline nasal spray, Humidifier

• Menthol rub (Vicks VapoRub)

• Doxylamine (Unisom)

• Antihistamines: ChlorTrimeton/ Diabetic Tussin (chlorpheniramine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Allegra (fexofenadine), Dayhist allergy (clemastine), Xyzal (levocetirizine), Dimetapp (brompheniramine) 

• Cough: 

• Honey (for cough) and Natural throat lozenges 

• Guaifenesin (plain Mucinex)

• Dextromethorphan (Robitussin or Robitussin DM)

•  Nosebleeds 

• These are common.

•  Sit upright and apply cold compress to your nose.

• Use saline nasal spray nightly to lubricate sinuses.

• Sore throat

  • Warm salt- water gargles 2-3 times per day

  • Vicks throat lozenges/spray, Cepastat lozenges/spray, Sucrets

  • Chloraseptic Oral Strips or Chloraseptic Spray

Medications to avoid:

• Decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. In the first trimester, they slightly increase the risk of an abdominal wall birth defect. Pseudoephedrine can also raise your blood pressure.

• Nyquil or products that contain alcohol

• Analgesics like aspirin, Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen), and Aleve (naproxen). 

• Combination cough and cold medications that contain any of these drugs. Check all labels for the product's ingredients. 

• Zinc, Vitamin C, Echinacea, Elderberry