Can I Take Zyrtec While I’m Pregnant?
Key takeaways:
Zyrtec (cetirizine) is a safe and effective treatment for allergy symptoms during pregnancy. It belongs to a class of medications known as second-generation antihistamines.
Even though Zyrtec is well tolerated, it can cause drowsiness for some people. This can worsen fatigue and sleepiness, which are common during pregnancy.
There are alternatives to Zyrtec — including other antihistamines and some nasal sprays — that are also safe to take while pregnant. Avoiding known allergens and using nasal saline rinses can also help reduce allergy symptoms.
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Spring has officially sprung! And that means that a new allergy season is upon us.
For millions of people in the U.S., spring marks the beginning of a season filled with runny noses, sneezes, and itchy eyes. Many of those people turn to oral antihistamines, like Zyrtec (cetirizine), to help relieve their symptoms.
But treating allergy symptoms while you’re expecting can bring extra questions to mind. Like, is Zyrtec safe to take during pregnancy? The short answer is yes. Most antihistamines are considered safe to take during pregnancy. Here’s what you need to know.
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What is Zyrtec?
Zyrtec is an over-the-counter (OTC) oral antihistamine that can help relieve allergy symptoms. More specifically, it’s a second-generation antihistamine. This means it causes less drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth than first-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
When your body comes in contact with an allergen, like pollen, your immune system can sometimes overreact to the perceived threat. When this happens, your body makes a chemical called histamine to defend against the allergen. But histamine also causes frustrating allergy symptoms.
Zyrtec works by blocking histamine’s effects in your body.
Is Zyrtec safe during pregnancy?
Yes, Zyrtec is safe to take during pregnancy, including during early pregnancy. Studies have shown that there is no known link between most antihistamines, including Zyrtec, and birth defects. And the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has stated that this Zyrtec is likely safe to take if you’re expecting.
While Zyrtec is considered safe to take during all three trimesters, as with all medications, you should only take it if necessary. And it’s always best to discuss your unique situation with your healthcare provider first before you start taking a new medication.
What are the risks of taking Zyrtec while pregnant?
While Zyrtec isn’t linked to birth defects, there’s still the risk of some other side effects. Most people tolerate the medication well, but drowsiness is possible. In fact, of the second-generation antihistamines, Zyrtec is the most likely to cause drowsiness.
Pregnancy requires a lot of energy and can change how well you sleep. Many pregnant people find they feel more fatigued than usual. And taking Zyrtec may worsen this feeling. So you shouldn’t drive or perform other tasks that require focus if you’re pregnant and taking Zyrtec, until you know how the medication affects you.
What can I take instead of Zyrtec while I’m pregnant?
If Zyrtec makes you feel too drowsy, try taking Claritin (loratadine) instead. Claritin is also considered safe to take during pregnancy. And it’s less likely to cause drowsiness than Zyrtec.
Benadryl is another antihistamine that’s safe to take during pregnancy. However, as compared to Zyrtec, Benadryl tends to cause more side effects, including dry mouth and dizziness, as well as more severe drowsiness. This means it may not be an ideal alternative. But you should know that it’s an option.
Nasal steroid sprays are another option for treating allergies during pregnancy. Rhinocort (budesonide) is the preferred nasal steroid spray to use while expecting, and it’s available OTC. Flonase (fluticasone propionate) and Nasonex (mometasone) are other OTC nasal sprays that are safe to use during pregnancy. Just avoid Nasacort (triamcinolone), as it’s not safe to use during pregnancy and is linked to potential birth defects.
What are other things I can do to treat allergies while I’m pregnant?
If you’re trying to avoid taking any medication while you’re pregnant, here are several medication-free tips to treat allergies you can try instead:
For allergies in general: Use a saline nasal spray or sinus rinse, like a neti pot. Just make sure to only use distilled or boiled tap water with a neti pot. Using unboiled tap water can raise the risk of infections.
For outdoor allergies: Stay inside as much as you can. If you do go outside, change your clothes when you come back in and shower before climbing into bed. This helps you avoid spreading allergens all over your house.
For indoor allergies: Clean your house as often as possible, using a wet mop or cloth to avoid spreading dust through the air. (Using a HEPA filter vacuum or air purifier may also help reduce indoor allergens.) And try to avoid going into rooms where dust can settle, like attics and basements.
For pet allergies: Avoid going to friends and family members’ houses that have animals indoors. If you have a pet at home, try to keep one room animal-free, so you have a safe area to escape to.
Additionally, there are many reasons to stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke as much as possible when you’re pregnant. But this is also something that can help improve your allergy symptoms.
The bottom line
Dealing with allergy symptoms when you’re pregnant can be frustrating. But there are options for relief. The antihistamine Zyrtec (cetirizine), for example, is safe to take during pregnancy.
But even though it’s well tolerated, Zyrtec can still cause drowsiness or worsen fatigue, which is common with pregnancy. Claritin (loratadine) and certain nasal steroid sprays are potential alternatives to Zyrtec that don’t typically cause drowsiness.
As with all medications, be sure to discuss taking Zyrtec during pregnancy with your healthcare provider first.
Why trust our experts?
References
Allergy and Asthma Network. (n.d.) Pregnancy and allergies.
Familydoctor.org. (2022). Sleep and pregnancy.
Gilboa, S. M., et al. (2014). Antihistamines and birth defects: A systematic review of the literature. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety.
Hansen, C., et al. (2020). Use of antihistamine medications during early pregnancy and selected birth defects: The National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2011. Birth Defects Research.
MedlinePlus. (2017). Histamine: The stuff allergies are made of.
Randall, K. L, et al. (2018). Antihistamines and allergy. Australian Prescriber.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). What medicine can I take for allergies when I’m pregnant?
