
If doctors feel the need to recommend cold medicine, they will definitely first warn pregnant women to look at the packaging label. It is important to know what ingredients are contained in the drug and how to use it.
Many people are not aware that the cold medicine they are taking actually contains a combination of various medicinal substances at once. Most cold medicine sold in the market is a combination of various kinds of symptom relievers.
For example, in one dose of a tablet or capsule of medicine, it contains fever-reducing drugs, pain relievers, antihistamines, decongestants, and others. This can increase the risk of drug interactions, as well as the possibility of overdose.
There is also a risk of overdose if you take many different drugs at one time. An example is a common medication which combines 3 or more active ingredients for relief of cough, clogged nose, headache, and fever associated with the common cold, flu, and other minor respiratory tract infections. Common in these types of combined medication is paracetamol. If one is not aware that it is already present in the said medication, it may be possible that a person may take another separate dose of paracetamol for fever or headache. This may lead to overdose if one is not familiar with the maximum amount allowable per day
Take the drug according to the recommended dose and duration. Never prolong, stop, add, or reduce the dose of a drug carelessly.
Remember, what a mother drinks and eats can affect the fetus in her womb.
If you feel that the symptoms of a cold are very annoying and getting worse, don’t delay to consult a doctor.
Alternatives to cold medicine while pregnant
Before immediately prescribing cold medicine, doctors will usually advise pregnant women to rest first.
Comments
Share your thoughts
Be the first to let Hello Doctor know your thoughts!
Join Us or Log In to join the discussion