Which Allergy Medication Is Best for a Breastfeeding Mama?

I used Claratin while breastfeeding at the direction of my naturopath. It worked really well. I did not get very sleepy, and I am VERY sensitive to that.
Good Luck!

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That's a conversation I'd recommend having with your physician or pharmacist.

Most medications are not tested on pregnant women, so there may or may not be a lot of options of those that are FDA approved while lactating. The burden a company would have to bear for harming a nursing child is often not worth the risk of seeking FDA approval and doing clinical studies.

Each product will work differently from one person to the next. Stuffy noses will need a decongestant. Most products contain pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D, etc. D=decongestant). You should really ask a pharmacist about using a decongestant vs. a nasal steroid while breast feeding.

Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in Benadryl and is definitely safe during pregnancy, but it may not be safe while nursing.

Please contact your doctor or pharmacist to see what they recommend and what options are available.

Ahh yes those lovely allergies! Benadryl, Claratin, and Singulair are all safe to take during pregnancy. Not sure about Zyrtec, but other mamas seem to be saying yes. Good luck...I am ready for the pollen to stop!

hey I understand. My allergies were horrible while prego but my ob said zyrtec was not safe. I think he had me on claritan. If you can call your ob to ask. Good luck

During both of my pregnancies (and subsequent breastfeeding), I had problems with allergies and was being treated by an allergist. This was eight and four years ago. At the time I chose to only use over-the-counter chlor-trimeton (I used the generic which is very inexpensive) because it has been on the market the longest and had the most research to support the fact that it posed no threat to a fetus, nor to a breastfed child. However, my allergist did encourage me during both pregnancies and breastfeeding to use Zyrtec. I just personally felt more comfortable using the drug that had been around the longest with the best record. The other medication my allergist recommended for nasal allergies is Nasalcrom (an over-the counter nasal spray sold most everywhere). He told me it can be used in combination with antihistamines because it does not enter your bloodstream at all. It WAS effective when I used it, but I gave it up because I have a hard time with nasal sprays. The Neti Pot also helps and doesn't dehydrate at all.

I hope you have better results this year with your allergies!

I just called my OB/GYN for this reason today! My problem is mainly itchy/dry eyes and drippy nose. They told me Zyrtec was the best and totally safe :)

I haven't read the rest of the answers, but I would recommend a neti pot. It helps flush out the allergens, and you'll feel better almost immediately.

Good luck!

When I am breastfeeding I only use a neti pot. I have found that many allergy meds are not approved/tested for breastfeeding moms. Therefore, the only meds I use are a nasal mist for the post nasal drip. (I too get the sore throat without stuffiness.) It seems to more directly treat the problem instead of a pill that systemically dehydrates you, drying up your milk in the process. Plus when I am on pills all my skin gets dry, raw and even my eyes have problems drying out causing problems with my contact lenses.

We have used Nasonex and Rhinocort nasal sprays which both have worked well in our family. Both are prescriptions.

I was given Zyrtec while breastfeeding. My son was on it too, so it seemed natural. You can always call a lactation consultant and get their advice. They have the same book that the pharmacist and doctor do, but sometimes more direct knowledge of what is best to take.