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Treating coughs and colds during pregnancy

For coughs, there are two main groups of preparations: the cough suppressants and the expectorants.

Cough suppressants are marketed with a claim that they will reduce the frequency and intensity of coughing. Their effect is modest at best and they may help the person to sleep better. Most of them are based on opioids, especially codeine and sedatives such as diphenhydramine.

Those containing codeine will tend to cause constipation. Constip Cough medicines are of dubious value ation is a common problem in pregnancy and if the pregnant woman is already having this trouble, then she should think hard before taking such preparations. They are likely to make the problem worse without really giving her much benefit.

Those cough suppressants based on sedatives will cause drowsiness and may not be ideal for a pregnant woman who is working, looking after small children or needs to drive. Their effectiveness, again, is modest at best. Brand names include Benadryl®, Nytol®, Dimedrol® etc. In most countries, these are available without prescription.

Expectorants are cough preparations which are marketed with the claim that they promote the expulsion of the sputum and secretions produced in the respiratory tract. They are supposed to relieve the symptoms by making one cough less and breathe easier. The reality is that they make little or no difference, and scientific evidence of their effectiveness is lacking. Simple linctus (the most common type) is a citric acid solution (i.e. orange or lemon!).

Some of them are marketed in combination with painkillers (such as paracetamol) and- decongestants (see below). Their value, over and above the placebo effect, is dubious.

All these preparations have no direct adverse effect on the pregnancy. Any preparation containing iodine should be avoided. Always read the label.

Treating the common cold

The nasal decongestants on the market are mostly made of an active ingredient in the form of pseudoephedrine or similar. Many also contain an antihistamine. Their effectiveness is really unproven and this is probably the biggest gravy-train in the retail trade today. The benefit from most is largely through the placebo effect: You believe it will do something, your mind and body responds to the expectation and you feel better.

Those preparations containing pseudoephedrine and similar drugs need to be used with caution if the mother is hypertensive or has a heart disease. They may also interfere with diabetes control. There is, however, no direct adverse effect on the pregnancy itself.

Preparations containing antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine (Piriton®) will tend to make the mother drowsy.

Treating coughs and colds during pregnancy

Treating the common cold

Claims made about effectiveness of cough and ‘colds’ medicine are exaggerated at best. Most are harmless in pregnancy if of dubious value.