Key takeaways:
Rhinocort (budesonide) is the preferred nasal allergy spray to use during pregnancy. Flonase Sensimist (fluticasone furoate), Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate), and Nasonex (mometasone) are also safe and effective options.
Nasacort Allergy (triamcinolone) and Afrin (oxymetazoline) aren’t recommended during pregnancy. Some studies have suggested a link between these nasal sprays and certain birth defects.
Oral antihistamines, such as Zyrtec (cetirizine), are safe alternatives to nasal sprays for allergy symptom relief during pregnancy.
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Nasal allergy sprays treat a stuffy or runny nose and itchy eyes related to allergies. But if you’re pregnant, you may pause before buying a nasal spray at the pharmacy. If you’re wondering whether Flonase (fluticasone) is safe during pregnancy, you’re not alone. But rest assured, there are several options that are OK to use while expecting.
Here’s what you need to know about which nasal allergy sprays are safe during pregnancy — and which are not.
What nasal allergy sprays are safe during pregnancy?
There are different types of nasal allergy sprays available. Below, we’ll run through which are considered safe to use during pregnancy.
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Most steroid nasal sprays
For most people, corticosteroid (steroid) nasal sprays are a first-choice option for treating and preventing allergies. This includes during pregnancy. But only certain steroid nasal sprays are recommended if you’re expecting.
Steroid nasal sprays that are safe to use during pregnancy include:
Rhinocort Allergy (budesonide), which is the preferred option
Flonase Sensimist (fluticasone furoate)
Nasonex (mometasone)
Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate)
It’s important to note that studies suggest both versions of Flonase are safe if you’re pregnant. But a small study found that Flonase Allergy Relief was no more effective than a placebo during pregnancy. In this case, a placebo is a nasal spray that contains no medication.
NasalCrom
Since the 1970s, researchers have considered NasalCrom (cromolyn) as a nasal spray that’s safe to use during pregnancy. This mast cell stabilizer is one of the safest nasal sprays to use if you’re pregnant. But it’s also one of the least effective. It takes several weeks to start working, and it provides less relief than nasal steroid sprays. But NasalCrom might be an option if you can’t tolerate nasal steroids.
Antihistamine nasal sprays
Antihistamine nasal sprays are thought to be safe to use during pregnancy. Multiple studies have found that most oral antihistamines are safe to take while expecting. And antihistamine nasal sprays work the same way. So experts expect them to be just as safe as their oral counterparts.
The two available antihistamine nasal sprays are Astepro (azelastine) and Patanase (olopatadine). You can discuss these options with your prenatal care team.
What nasal allergy spray medications are not safe during pregnancy?
There are a few nasal allergy sprays that generally aren’t recommended during pregnancy. But you can still discuss these options with your prenatal care team.
Nasacort Allergy
While most steroid nasal sprays are considered safe to use during pregnancy, there’s one that isn’t recommended: Nasacort Allergy (triamcinolone).
In one study, this steroid nasal spray was linked to lung and respiratory birth defects in a small number of pregnancies. Larger studies are needed to confirm this information. However, many healthcare professionals recommend avoiding Nasacort during pregnancy to be safe.
Decongestant nasal sprays like Afrin
Decongestants are generally considered unsafe to use during pregnancy. But most of the research in this area focuses on oral decongestants, such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine). The studies that have been done on decongestant nasal sprays, such as Afrin (oxymetazoline), are limited. One study found a link between Afrin use during pregnancy and certain birth defects. However, more studies would be needed to say for sure whether it’s safe or unsafe.
Discuss whether it’s OK to use Afrin during pregnancy with your prenatal care team first. Some healthcare professionals may say a short course (no more than 3 consecutive days) is OK. Others may recommend avoiding Afrin altogether. Your prenatal specialist will weigh your unique risks when making a recommendation.
What else can you do to treat your allergies during pregnancy?
There are plenty of other ways to treat and manage allergy symptoms during pregnancy. Oral antihistamines, such as Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Benadryl (diphenhydramine), are safe to take if you’re pregnant. Just be aware that some antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Nondrowsy options, such as Claritin (loratadine), may be preferable.
If you want to avoid taking medication, consider trying these tips to combat allergies:
Watch pollen and mold counts in your area. This will help you know when your allergy symptoms are likely to be worse.
Stay inside when possible. When allergen counts are higher, try to stay inside if you can. Keep your doors and windows shut to help keep allergens out of your house.
Wash off after being outside. After coming inside, change your clothes and take a quick shower. This will help remove pollen and mold from your clothing and body.
Wear a mask while being exposed to allergens. Wearing a properly fitting mask when you’re outside can help reduce allergy symptoms. An N95 mask will provide better protection from allergens than surgical or cloth masks.
Consider a HEPA filter. If you have pet or indoor allergies, a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter may be helpful for lowering the allergen count in your house.
Frequently asked questions
Most steroid nasal sprays, such as Rhinocort Allergy, are safe to use during pregnancy and work well for sinus congestion and infections. You can also ask a healthcare professional if it would be OK for you to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for sinus pain relief. Just be sure to avoid Nasacort Allergy and decongestants, which aren’t considered safe to use while expecting.
Most antihistamines are considered safe to take during pregnancy. But some have more studies to support their safety than others. Older antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine (Aller-Chlor), have been well studied for safety during pregnancy. But they typically cause drowsiness for most people. So experts also recommend newer antihistamines that cause less drowsiness, such as Zyrtec and Claritin.
Yes, saline nasal spray is safe to use during pregnancy. It doesn’t contain medication and can be used as often as needed. Experts recommend trying medication-free remedies, such as saline spray, before taking allergy medications during pregnancy.
Most steroid nasal sprays, such as Rhinocort Allergy, are safe to use during pregnancy and work well for sinus congestion and infections. You can also ask a healthcare professional if it would be OK for you to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for sinus pain relief. Just be sure to avoid Nasacort Allergy and decongestants, which aren’t considered safe to use while expecting.
Most antihistamines are considered safe to take during pregnancy. But some have more studies to support their safety than others. Older antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine (Aller-Chlor), have been well studied for safety during pregnancy. But they typically cause drowsiness for most people. So experts also recommend newer antihistamines that cause less drowsiness, such as Zyrtec and Claritin.
Yes, saline nasal spray is safe to use during pregnancy. It doesn’t contain medication and can be used as often as needed. Experts recommend trying medication-free remedies, such as saline spray, before taking allergy medications during pregnancy.
The bottom line
Many nasal allergy sprays are safe to use during pregnancy. Popular options include corticosteroid (steroid) nasal sprays such as Rhinocort (budesonide), Flonase Sensimist (fluticasone furoate), and Nasonex (mometasone). NasalCrom (cromolyn) and Astepro (azelastine) are two other safe options if steroid nasal sprays aren’t working for you.
In many cases, Nasacort Allergy (triamcinolone) and Afrin (oxymetazoline) should be avoided during pregnancy. These two nasal sprays may be linked to certain birth defects. Discuss nasal allergy spray options with your prenatal care team to find out the best options for you.
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References
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