The Risk of Nyquil & Pregnancy

So, you're pregnant and you've got a cold and you're wondering which medications are safe for you to take. There are some medications approved for use by pregnant woman, but is Nyquil one of them?

Main Ingredients

The ingredients in Nyquil that are generally thought to be bad for an unborn baby are alcohol and Dextromethorphan (DXM). These ingredients are, of course, safe for an adult, but a fetus could be affected by them.

Alcohol

The effects of alcohol on an unborn baby are not fully known, but it has been shown that for some babies, even a small amount can cause developmental problems. It is best to avoid medications that contain alcohol.

DXM

DXM is used to treat a cough. It is a powerful drug that sometimes causes harmful side effects such as dizziness, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. It could hurt an unborn baby if there were a reaction.

High Blood Pressure

The ingredients in Nyquil may also cause a rise in blood pressure. Since many pregnant woman already have an elevated blood pressure, taking a drug that raises blood pressure could be dangerous, for both mother and baby.

Safe Medications

Many cold, flu, cough, fever or pain medications don't contain alcohol, DXM or aspirin, and these are deemed to be safe for pregnant woman. Brand name medications you can use when you are pregnant and ill include Tylenol, Sudafed, Vick's, Robitussin, Hall's and Benadryl. But always speak with your doctor before taking any medication while pregnant.

References

• BabyCenter