Understanding Pregnancy and Allergies

Allergy season is upon us again, and while itchy eyes and sneezing are a nuisance for everyone, they may be even more so for pregnant women.

Many women who suffer from allergies report a significant spike in their symptoms during their pregnancy. Issues like nasal congestion are exacerbated by the hormone changes experienced, and conditions like sinusitis have been said to be six times more likely for pregnant women who had pre-existing allergies.

Worse still is the report that many women who never had allergies find themselves developing reactions to allergens like pollen, ragweed and other weeds during their pregnancy.

Allergy Medications – Are They Safe for Pregnant Women?

The FDA classifies the safety of medications (including allergy medications) during pregnancy into three categories based on their risk factors:

• Category A – Studies have been conducted on pregnant women and the medications are shown to be safe (this is rare, given women are not generally willing to participate in studies while pregnant).
• Category B – Medications have been tested on pregnant animals and are shown to be safe. No human studies have been conducted.
• Category C – Animal studies have shown dangerous effects or there are no studies (animal or human) available. Medications are considered dangerous to the pregnancy.
• Category D – Evidence of danger to the fetus exists, but may be outweighed by benefits, as in the case of a life-threatening condition or debilitating disease.
• Category X – Animal or human studies, or human experience, have shown conclusive evidence of fetal abnormalities and the risk of using the drug outweighs any possible benefits.

There are allergy medications that fall into Category B and are considered safe for use during pregnancy, but others may carry more of a risk. Pregnant women should always consult a doctor before using any medication.

For a more detailed description of the FDA’s classifications of medication, visit the American Family Physician website.