Can I Take Benadryl While I’m Pregnant?

Blossoming flowers and newly grown grass. A pretty sight? For the millions of Americans with seasonal allergies, maybe not. Instead, the scenes of springtime may signal it’s time to restock on allergy medication to treat their symptoms. A common choice is the antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine).

But what happens if you’re pregnant and suffering from allergies? Can you take Benadryl while pregnant? You can rest easy knowing that most antihistamines are considered safe to take during pregnancy. That being said, there are always risks to keep in mind when taking medication while you’re expecting.

Here, we’ll review whether you can take Benadryl while pregnant. We’ll also provide some alternatives and medication-free ways to help relieve allergies.

What is Benadryl?

Benadryl is an oral antihistamine that’s available over-the-counter (OTC). More specifically, it’s a first-generation antihistamine. As we’ll discuss later, first-generation antihistamines tend to cause more drowsiness than second-generation antihistamines, like loratadine (Claritin).

Allergy symptoms, like a runny nose and sneezing, are a reaction to a chemical our body makes called histamine. When you’re allergic to something, your body incorrectly thinks that substance is dangerous. So it releases lots of histamine to help the body get rid of what it thinks is toxic.

Benadryl helps prevent our bodies from reacting as strongly to histamine. This relieves those bothersome allergy symptoms.

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Is it safe to take Benadryl while I’m pregnant?

Yes, Benadryl is considered safe to take during pregnancy. Benadryl has been available for quite some time. This has allowed experts to study it thoroughly.

Multiple studies have shown that Benadryl and other first-generation antihistamines don’t cause harm to unborn babies. This medication is safe to take during all three trimesters. So if you took Benadryl before you knew you were pregnant, that’s OK.

What are the risks of taking Benadryl while pregnant?

Just because Benadryl doesn’t harm an unborn baby doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. This medication causes drowsiness for many people who take it. It can also cause dizziness and weakness.

On top of possibly interfering with your daily activities, these side effects could be more worrisome when you’re pregnant. Vertigo is common in the first trimester. As your pregnancy gets farther along, balancing issues can become more common. This is because your growing belly changes your center of gravity.

And due to these common pregnancy changes, you may have a greater risk of tripping, falling, or accidental injuries. Diphenhydramine can add to this and may lead to more balance issues.

Discuss these potential side effects with your healthcare provider first before trying Benadryl. They may prefer you try a different allergy medication because of these potential risks.

What can I take instead of Benadryl while I’m pregnant?

Since the biggest concern with Benadryl in pregnancy is possible drowsiness, a less drowsy antihistamine may be a better option. Second-generation antihistamines tend to cause less drowsiness than Benadryl. Of these medications, loratadine and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are considered safe alternatives to Benadryl. Both are also available OTC.

Another option for managing allergies during pregnancy is nasal steroid sprays. But not all of them are equally safe. Of the OTC nasal steroid sprays, budesonide (Rhinocort) and fluticasone propionate (Flonase) are considered safe. It’s important to note that these medications do take time to start working. So they’re best used when you’re trying to prevent allergy symptoms ahead of time.

What are other things I can do to treat allergies while I’m pregnant? 

What if you’re looking to totally avoid medications during pregnancy? That’s absolutely fine. Here are some medication-free tips to help with allergies:

• Avoid being around people who smoke.

• Try a saline sinus rinse, such as a neti pot.

• If you have outdoor allergies:

• Stay inside as much as possible.

• Wear sunglasses that wrap around your head when you go outside to prevent pollen from getting in your eyes.

• If you’ve been outside, take off your shoes and socks right after coming inside. It may also be helpful to change clothes and wash your face and hands.

• Take a shower and wash your hair right before bed to help with nighttime symptoms.

• If you have indoor allergies:

• Do your best to regularly clean your house (don’t be afraid to ask a loved one for help!).

• Use a wet mop or cloth to clean hard surfaces.

• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean rugs and carpets.

• Use a microfiber cloth to dust instead of a feather duster.

• Avoid going into rooms where dust tends to settle heavily (like basements or attics).

• If you have pet allergies:

• Avoid places that have a lot of animals (ask a friend or family member if they can take Fido to the vet for you).

• Try to keep a room in your house “pet-free” so you can escape there if needed.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

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