Allergy Medicine While Pregnant: What OTC Medications Can You Take?

If you're someone who sniffles and sneezes around dust, pollen and pets, you likely don't think twice before taking allergy medicine. But pregnancy changes everything. Before taking allergy medicine while pregnant, you'll want to weigh your options. After all, when there's a baby in your belly, you must be more careful about everything you consume, including over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine. To help you better understand your options, this article addresses common concerns and provides guidance on which OTC medications are considered safe, which present risk and which you should avoid.

Which OTC Allergy Medications Are Safe?

Can you take allergy medicine while pregnant? The short answer is sometimes, so it's essential to understand the difference between various OTC allergy medicines. Some are usually safe, some are never safe and others are only safe during certain stages of pregnancy.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, most antihistamines are generally considered safe to use during pregnancy (such as antihistamine tablets like Claritin and Zyrtec), as are steroid nasal sprays like Nasonex, Flonase or Nasacort. Cromolyn sodium nasal spray (like NasalCrom) is another OTC option that might be safe for pregnant women.

That said, it's important to consult your doctor before using any OTC product — especially if you have asthma, kidney or liver disease, fever, or a cold or sinus infection. Nasal saline sprays and rinses can help alleviate nasal congestion without the use of medications (we'll cover these later on).

Which Medications Are Risky?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, pregnant women should avoid decongestants for at least the first trimester. Why? Because decongestant medications, such as pseudoephedrine, increase the risk of birth defects. In addition, if you have high blood pressure, decongestants should be avoided altogether, no matter how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Suppose you started receiving allergy shots before getting pregnant and the shots helped alleviate symptoms without causing any adverse reactions. In that case, the Cleveland Clinic says they should be safe to continue. However, don't start new allergy shots during pregnancy because you won't be able to anticipate the type of reaction you'll have. Negative reactions to allergy shots could result in a drop in blood pressure or potentially negatively impact your baby's health in other ways.

Although some natural remedies like grape seed extract, echinacea, or lavender and eucalyptus oil may have helped with your sinus issues in the past, the Cleveland Clinic also warns there simply have not been enough studies to determine whether these natural remedies are safe during pregnancy.

Natural Remedies and Allergy Avoidance

When pregnant, do what you can to avoid triggers in the first place, explains the Mayo Clinic. If seasonal allergies are the culprit, stay indoors on dry, windy days. It's best to go outside after a strong rain has cleared pollen from the air. Also, consider wearing a face mask while doing outdoor chores such as weeding, gardening and mowing the lawn that put you near potential allergens.

Whether your allergy triggers are pollen or pets, if you experience symptoms, the Mayo Clinic recommends a variety of natural remedies. For instance, the organization notes that using nasal strips can help keep your nasal passages open, and getting regular exercise can assist in easing the swelling inside your nose. Raising the head of your bed by 30 to 45 degrees can also help prevent congestion overnight. If you don't have an adjustable bed, you can use pillows to elevate your head.

Nasal irrigation devices like the Neti pot and the NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit can also help clear nasal passages without the use of medications. Keep in mind that when using these products, you should avoid using tap water. Instead, use distilled water or sterile water, which is tap water that was passed through a filter that traps common germs or that was previously boiled and cooled, and follow the instructions for cleaning after each use.

Using a humidifier in the bedroom can help alleviate dry nasal passages and help reduce allergy symptoms. You can improve indoor air quality by cleaning regularly and avoiding tobacco smoke; both of these can minimize allergens in the environment. A HEPA air purifier can also help rid the air of allergens. Consider putting one in the bedroom and the room you spend the most time in.

Monitor Your Allergic Triggers

Identifying and avoiding specific allergens can reduce the need for allergy medications during pregnancy, and keeping track of allergy symptoms and triggers can assist your healthcare providers in determining the most appropriate treatment options. By monitoring and tracking your allergy symptoms, you may even realize that you've developed a new allergy — one you did not have when you were younger.

Many people develop allergies later in life; these are referred to as "adult-onset allergies." According to the Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center, adult-onset allergies — whether triggered by pet dander, pollen or food — are most likely to develop in an individual's 20s or 30s. That said, they can also develop much later in life, even into a person's 70s and 80s.

If your allergy triggers are the dust, pets and mold in your home, in addition to cleaning, it can be helpful to open windows to allow fresh air inside. If your allergy triggers are pollinating flowers and freshly mowed lawns, then it's best to keep the windows shut.

Talk to Your Doctor

Before taking any allergy medications during pregnancy, you’ll want to weigh your options. As we've seen with decongestants, some OTC medication may be unsafe for pregnant women, especially during certain stages of pregnancy.

It's especially important for pregnant women who may have additional health concerns such as asthma, liver disease or kidney disease to speak with a healthcare provider before taking new medications. Healthcare providers can assess individual situations and recommend suitable OTC options.

Safe OTC options, such as certain antihistamines and nasal saline solutions, can be considered under medical supervision, but it's essential to avoid medications with potential risks. Natural remedies, allergy avoidance and monitoring for triggers are additional strategies pregnant women can use to manage allergy symptoms safely. There is a good deal to consider, but remember: It will all be worth it for your little one.

Clinically reviewed on April 22, 2025.