Posted by Morning sickness is one of the common symptoms experienced during the first trimester of pregnancy by expecting moms. Morning sickness is marked by mild to severe Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy (NVP).
You can try simple home remedies or take over the counter medication to relieve nausea during pregnancy, but not all the drugs are safe. It is best to seek medical advice before taking any medicine for morning sickness.
Read on to know more about medications that are safe for nausea during pregnancy.
What Medications Are Safe for Nausea During Pregnancy?
In most pregnant women, morning sickness may diminish on its own by the end of the first trimester of pregnancy; in a few women, NVP may persist throughout the gestation period until delivery.
See your doctor if home remedies and lifestyle changes are not able to reduce nausea during pregnancy. Your doctor may prescribe certain anti-emetic drugs, such as Doxinate.
Doxinate – safe medication for nausea during pregnancyDoxinate is a safe anti-emetic drug that alleviates NVP without any side effects on the mother or foetus. This anti-emetic drug is made of two medicines – Doxylamine and Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) that treats NVP and provides nutrition to the expecting mothers.
Doxylamine Succinate is an antihistamine that blocks nausea triggering chemical and controls nausea, vomiting and dizziness in pregnant ladies. Pyridoxine or vitamin B6 present in doxinate also has anti-nausea properties to alleviate the problem and provide nutrition to the body.
Depending upon your case, your doctor may recommend the dosage. However, the dosage and delayed-release formula provide 24-hour relief from NVP and prevent the condition from progressing to hyperemesis gravidarum, a serious condition of NVP.
Precautions and Side Effects of DoxinateFor better efficiency of the medicine follow the below precautions:
- Take doxinate as recommended by your doctor.
- Do not miss or take more than the suggested dose.
- Do not stop the course because you are feeling better. Complete the course and follow the instructions of your doctor before stopping the medicine.
- Discuss your allergies, medical conditions and other health-related concerns with your doctor before taking the drug.
- Take the anti-nausea medicine every day at the same time for better results.
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Giddiness
- Dry mouth
Unsafe Medications for Nausea During Pregnancy
There are several other anti-emetic drugs available that they may not be safe in pregnancy. The ingredients used in these medications may have serious side effects that may affect the foetus and the mother.
These anti-emetic drugs were initially developed to ease nausea and vomiting in patients going through radiation therapy and chemotherapy. When these are prescribed to pregnant women to ease NVP, it may result in serious side effects, such as:
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Blurred vision or temporary loss of vision
- Fainting
- Stomach pain
- Muscle spasm
Side effects of unsafe drugs for nausea during pregnancy may also result in one of the following birth defects:
- Heart Murmurs
A condition where the structural issues of the heart may result in abnormal blood flow.
- Atrial Septal Defect
A condition where a gap between the upper heart chambers is formed in the heart.
- Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)
A condition where a gap between the upper heart chambers is formed in the heart.
- Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate
A condition where the formation of the front of the upper jaw and upper portion of the roof of the mouth is incomplete.
- Musculoskeletal Anomalies
A condition where a malformation or deformity of the musculoskeletal system in the infants is noticed.
- Clubfoot
A condition where one or both feet of the infant is either twisted or turned upside down.
- Jaundice
– a condition where bilirubin accumulates and results in the breakdown of the red blood cells and causes severe jaundice.
Though many researchers are studying various medications for nausea during pregnancy, you need to be wary of the prescribed drugs. Not all the medications are safe for nausea during pregnancy. So, discuss all your concerns, side effects and other queries with your doctor before taking any medicine. Do not risk your and your baby’s health. Take only safe and prescribed anti-emetic drugs, such as Doxinate and enjoy a happy and nausea-free pregnancy.