Nausea Medications During Pregnancy: Which Are Safe to Take?
When morning sickness strikes, expecting parents need fast-acting options to stop the nausea and vomiting. Explore safe nausea medications for pregnancy here.
doxylamine / pyridoxine
Used for Morning Sickness
Used for Morning Sickness
Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) helps treat morning sickness, or nausea and vomiting that people experience during pregnancy. It's typically taken when changing your diet or avoiding nausea triggers isn't enough. This medication contains an antihistamine called doxylamine and a dietary supplement called pyridoxine (also known as vitamin B6). The dosage starts at 2 tablets taken by mouth at bedtime, but it can be adjusted if you need more relief. A common side effect is sleepiness. This medication has a brand-name and generic version.
What is Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine)?
What is Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) used for?
- Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting during pregnancy) when non-medication options haven't provided enough relief
How Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) works
Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) is a combination of two medications that are thought to work together to relieve symptoms of morning sickness.
- Doxylamine is an antihistamine. It blocks histamine, a natural chemical in the body, from turning on the part of the brain that's responsible for nausea and vomiting.
- Pyridoxine, another name for vitamin B6, is a dietary supplement. It's not clear how pyridoxine helps lessen nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
When does Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Diclegis |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antihistamine / Dietary supplement |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness (14%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Chest discomfort
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Balance problems
- Blurry vision
Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Accidentally taking too much medication: extreme sleepiness, dry mouth, restlessness, feeling like your surroundings are spinning, fast heart rate, confusion
When do Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Sleepiness
The following Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Blurred or loss of vision
burning feeling while urinating
chest discomfort
decrease in the frequency of urination
decrease in urine volume
difficult or labored breathing
difficult or painful urination
disturbed color perception
double vision
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
halos around lights
headache, severe and throbbing
hoarseness
irritation
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
night blindness
overbright appearance of lights
redness of the skin
stomach distension or pain
swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing or swallowing
tunnel vision
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Unusual drowsiness
Incidence not known
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
confusion about identity, place, and time
dizziness or lightheadedness
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
increased sweating
irritability
nightmares
sensation of spinning
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$106.67
GoodRx discount
$55.41
Pros and cons of Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine)
Pros
- One of the few medications that's FDA approved for morning sickness during pregnancy
- Combines two medications into one tablet for convenience
- Dose can be adjusted based on response
Cons
- Dose ranges from 2 to 4 tablets per day, depending on your needs
- Not for severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (hyperemesis gravidarum)
- Not known whether it works well or is safe for people under 18 years old
Pharmacist tips for Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine)
- It's best to take Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. Taking it soon after eating can make the medication take longer to work.
- Swallow Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) tablets whole. Don't crush, chew, or break the tablets before swallowing. Otherwise, the medication might not last as long in your system.
- Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) can make you sleepy. Avoid driving or doing activities that you need to pay attention to until you speak with your prescriber after you start taking this medication. It's dangerous to drive when you're sleepy and have trouble thinking clearly or reacting quickly.
- Avoid taking other medications that contain an antihistamine while you're taking Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine). This can raise your risk for serious side effects, like extreme sleepiness and confusion. Many over-the-counter allergy, cough and cold medications, and sleep aids can contain antihistamines. Ask your pharmacist if you're not sure which medications contain antihistamines.
- Share a list of medications that you're taking with your prescriber so they can check for harmful interactions. It's not recommended to take Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) if you're taking other medications that make you sleepy, such as muscle relaxers, sleep aids, and anxiety medications. It can cause severe sleepiness, which can lead to accidents and falls.
- Other tips to help with morning sickness include drinking enough water during the day and eating dry crackers in bed in the morning so you're not moving around on an empty stomach. In addition, eat five or six smaller meals instead of a few larger meals throughout the day. Your stomach might be able to handle smaller portions of food better. You can also try ginger candies, ginger ale, and ginger tea.
Risks and warnings for Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine)
Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Sleepiness
- Risk factors: Taking medications that can make you sleepy | Drinking alcohol
Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) can make you sleepy. To prevent accidental injuries, avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, or doing anything that you need concentration for while you're taking this medication until you speak with your prescriber. Discuss with them about how Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) affects your ability to think clearly and react quickly.
Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) isn't recommended if you're currently taking other medications that can make you sleepy, such as sleep or anxiety medications, or if you drink alcohol. Mixing Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) with these medications or with alcohol can lead to severe sleepiness, which can lead to falls or accidents.
Worsening of certain other medical conditions
Because of how Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) works and its possible side effects, this medication can worsen symptoms of some other medical conditions. These conditions can include high pressure in the eye, narrow-angle glaucoma, stomach ulcers, gut blockage, and problems with urination. Let your care team know about your full medical history before you start taking Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) so they can discuss risks and benefits.
Contact your primary care provider or care team if you notice any symptoms of your other medical conditions get worse while you're taking Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine).
Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) dosage
The average cost for 60 tablets of 10mg/10mg of Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) is $55.41 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 48.05% off the average retail price of $106.67. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mg/10mg | 60 tablets | $55.41 | $0.92 |
Typical dosage for Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine)
Each tablet contains 10 mg of doxylamine and 10 mg of pyridoxine.
The starting dose is 2 tablets by mouth at bedtime on an empty stomach.
-
If your symptoms don't get better after the second day of taking the medication, you can take 1 tablet by mouth in the morning and then 2 tablets at bedtime. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
-
If you're still having symptoms after several days, you can take 1 tablet by mouth in the morning, 1 tablet in the afternoon, and 2 tablets at bedtime. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
The maximum number of tablets you can take in a day is 4 tablets.
Interactions between Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) and other drugs
Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Calcium Oxybate
- Furazolidone
- Iproniazid
- Isocarboxazid
- Linezolid
- Magnesium Oxybate
- Methylene Blue
- Moclobemide
- Nialamide
- Phenelzine
- Potassium Oxybate
- Procarbazine
- Rasagiline
- Safinamide
- Selegiline
- Sodium Oxybate
- Toloxatone
- Tranylcypromine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acepromazine
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Altretamine
- Amifampridine
- Amobarbital
- Anileridine
- Aripiprazole
- Asenapine
- Baclofen
- Benperidol
- Benzhydrocodone
- Bromazepam
- Bromopride
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Buspirone
- Butabarbital
- Cannabidiol
- Carbinoxamine
- Carisoprodol
- Carphenazine
- Cetirizine
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Chlorpromazine
- Chlorzoxazone
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Clorazepate
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dexmedetomidine
- Diacetylmorphine
- Diazepam
- Dichloralphenazone
- Difenoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Diphenhydramine
- Diphenoxylate
- Donepezil
- Droperidol
- Enflurane
- Esketamine
- Estazolam
- Eszopiclone
- Ethchlorvynol
- Ethopropazine
- Ethylmorphine
- Flibanserin
- Fluphenazine
- Flurazepam
- Fluspirilene
- Fospropofol
- Gabapentin
- Gabapentin Enacarbil
- Halazepam
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Hexobarbital
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroxyzine
- Isoflurane
- Ketamine
- Ketazolam
- Ketobemidone
- Lemborexant
- Levocetirizine
- Levorphanol
- Lofexidine
- Lorazepam
- Loxapine
- Meclizine
- Melperone
- Meperidine
- Mephobarbital
- Meprobamate
- Meptazinol
- Mesoridazine
- Metaxalone
- Methadone
- Methdilazine
- Methocarbamol
- Methohexital
- Methotrimeprazine
- Metoclopramide
- Midazolam
- Molindone
- Moricizine
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nicomorphine
- Nitrazepam
- Nitrous Oxide
- Olanzapine
- Opium
- Opium Alkaloids
- Orphenadrine
- Oxazepam
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Papaveretum
- Paregoric
- Pentobarbital
- Perampanel
- Perazine
- Periciazine
- Perphenazine
- Phenobarbital
- Pimozide
- Piperacetazine
- Pipotiazine
- Piritramide
- Pitolisant
- Prazepam
- Pregabalin
- Primidone
- Prochlorperazine
- Promazine
- Promethazine
- Propofol
- Quazepam
- Quetiapine
- Ramelteon
- Remifentanil
- Remimazolam
- Remoxipride
- Scopolamine
- Secobarbital
- Sertindole
- Sufentanil
- Sulpiride
- Tapentadol
- Temazepam
- Thiethylperazine
- Thiopental
- Thiopropazate
- Thioridazine
- Tilidine
- Tizanidine
- Tolonium Chloride
- Topiramate
- Tramadol
- Trazodone
- Triazolam
- Trifluoperazine
- Trifluperidol
- Triflupromazine
- Trimeprazine
- Zaleplon
- Zolpidem
- Zopiclone
- Zotepine
How much does Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to doxylamine, diphenhydramine, or dimenhydrinate
- Allergy to pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
- Currently take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
What are alternatives to Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Diclegis (doxylamine / pyridoxine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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