Cetirizine
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Cetirizine can be used during pregnancy.
What is it?
Cetirizine (Benadryl One A Day®, Zirtek®, Piriteze®, Pollenshield®) is a non-drowsy antihistamine used to treat allergies.
Benefits
What are the benefits of using cetirizine in pregnancy?
Cetirizine can improve unpleasant symptoms caused by allergy.
Risks
Are there any risks of using cetirizine during pregnancy?
No. The available information does not suggest that cetirizine causes any harm to you or your baby during pregnancy.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to using cetirizine?
Possibly. Other medicines can be used to treat allergies. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice about the best treatment to help you feel better.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take cetirizine?
You might be able to improve some allergy symptoms without using a medicine. However, some women might need an antihistamine so that they can carry on their daily life.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
Most women will be offered a scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to look for birth defects as part of their routine antenatal care. Using cetirizine in pregnancy does not require extra scans or monitoring of your baby.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken cetirizine?
We do not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes cetirizine.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.