Are you pregnant and battling a constant sore throat? Or are you fighting a nasty bug and seeking some relief but aren’t sure whether it’s okay to use cough drops?
With all the information out there, it can be confusing to navigate the conflicting advice about what types of medications are safe for use during pregnancy and which ones are best to avoid.
We’ve researched everything you need to know to make the most informed choice about using cough drops during pregnancy.
Key Takeaways
- Cough drops are typically considered safe for use during pregnancy as the risk to the baby is minimal.
- Benzocaine is an anesthetic commonly used in cough drops, it does not enter the bloodstream, so it is safe to take while pregnant.
- Eucalyptus oil is a natural ingredient that acts as an antiseptic, it can help relieve congestion and soothe sore throats.
- Zinc gluconate glycine is an ingredient that is marketed as shortening the common cold, it is important to note that the recommended daily amount of zinc should not be exceeded.
When Cough Drops Are Useful
Though referred to as “cough drops,” those soothing discs treat more symptoms than just a hacking cough. They are also referred to as “throat lozenges” and can treat many of these symptoms:
- Sore throat.
- Persistent cough.
- Stuffy nose.
- Dry mouth.
- Potentially shortening your cold.
When purchasing cough drops, don’t just grab one off the shelf based on flavor. Instead, read the label to make sure it’s treating your specific symptoms and that you’re not overmedicating and buying something with ingredients to treat symptoms you don’t have.
Are Cough Drops Safe During Pregnancy?
Cough drops may look and taste like candy, but many contain medicated active ingredients. You may wonder which cough drop ingredients are safe to take during pregnancy. The general medical consensus is that cough drops are perfectly fine to use to soothe a sore throat during pregnancy and are unlikely to cause harm to you or your baby (1).
Since cough drops are used short-term to ease symptoms of a typically time-limited ailment like a cold or sinus infection, the risk to your baby is minimal.
However, as mentioned above, if you’re concerned about overmedicating — or want to avoid as many medications as possible — choose a lozenge that treats only the symptoms you’re experiencing. That means staying away from all-in-one cough drops designed to treat several cold symptoms.
Active Ingredients Present in Cough Drops
The makeup of cough drops varies widely between brands, but the active ingredient is most likely one of the following:
Benzocaine
Benzocaine is an anesthetic, meaning it helps to numb an area. It is commonly used in topical numbing agents, teething gels, or over-the-counter tooth pain remedies.
It can be effective in cough drops to help numb a sore throat.
The Bottom Line
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus is a natural ingredient that acts as an antiseptic, meaning it can kill bacteria (3). It also acts as an expectorant, helping to thin and loosen mucus.
Eucalyptus can also help relieve congestion, so it is often used in conjunction with menthol in multi-purpose cough drops to help relieve cold symptoms and soothe sore throats.
The Bottom Line
Zinc Gluconate Glycine
Cough drops containing this ingredient are typically marketed as shortening the common cold. While medical evidence is mixed as to whether a mega-dose of zinc can boost immunity and ward off a virus, many swear by this remedy to help them reduce the severity of a cold or to feel better faster.
Your prenatal vitamin likely already contains zinc, so consider that when contemplating a zinc lozenge.
The Bottom Line
Zinc is an important nutrient in supporting your immune system, but you also want to make sure you don’t overdo it.
Pectin
Pectin helps to reduce swelling or irritation and is a natural ingredient found in many fruits. It is most commonly found in fruit-flavored, non-menthol cough drops.
The Bottom Line
Dextromethorphan
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant, so it helps you if you have a persistent cough or a constant tickle in your throat. However, the research is conflicted about whether it is appropriate for pregnant women to take as it has been linked to birth defects in chickens (5).
Recent research appears to indicate no adverse effects on human pregnancy; however, if you are concerned about potential harm, find a lozenge that does not contain the drug.
The Bottom Line
Menthol
When you suck on a cough drop containing menthol, you get a cooling sensation in your throat and throughout your nasal passages. It also helps numb the throat and relieve congestion.
Menthol is commonly used during pregnancy, but medical providers tend to disagree on whether it’s completely safe or not as it has not been widely studied (6).
The Bottom Line
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil acts similarly to menthol when used in a throat lozenge. And like eucalyptus oil, it’s not recommended for direct application on the skin during pregnancy, but the small volumes in which it’s consumed in a cough drop are unlikely to cause any issues with your baby.
The Bottom Line
Natural Sore Throat Remedies for Pregnancy
If you’re on the fence about taking cough drops while pregnant — or if they’re just not doing the trick — these are some other methods you can try to relieve your sore throat:
- Gargle with salt water: Mix one-half teaspoon of salt in a cup of hot water, gargle for about one minute, and spit it out. This can help loosen mucus, soothe your throat, and even kill bacteria.
- Drink water to stay hydrated: Dehydration not only keeps irritating mucus extra thick but can also result in a dry, itchy throat. Drink plenty of water, especially if your sore throat is persistent.
- Drink tea with honey and lemon: If you have trouble drinking cold liquids because of your sore throat, drink decaffeinated tea with a squeeze of lemon and a tablespoon of honey. Though you may be tempted to use raw honey because of its antiviral properties, it’s safest to choose regular, pasteurized honey to avoid exposing your baby to potentially harmful bacteria.
Evidence-based research indicates that unpasteurized honey in pregnancy is likely safe. Botulism in adults from honey is exceedingly rare in women who don’t have gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, the botulinum toxin does not cross the placenta (7).
Additional Symptoms To Watch For
There are a few indicators your sore throat could be a symptom of a more severe illness that requires medical treatment. If you experience any of the following symptoms, head to your doctor for a more thorough evaluation:
- Fever above 100 degrees.
- Rash.
- A sore throat that has persisted for more than 3-4 days.
- Red or white spots in the back of the throat.
- Sore throat and cold that improved but then suddenly worsened.
FAQs
How Can I Sleep With a Cough While Pregnant?
We recommend trying a humidifier. Humidifiers can help with coughing and sore throat by relieving some of the dryness in your throat.
Hot tea with honey or agave syrup can soothe a cough, too. Make sure to avoid second-hand cigarette smoke, since this can make your cough worse.
Can Coughing Hurt Placenta?
No, coughing can’t hurt your placenta. The human body is much more durable than we sometimes give it credit for. Coughing won’t hurt your baby, but if your cough is excessive and lasts for a long time, it’s a good idea to reach out to a doctor.
Can Cough Medicine Cause Birth Defects?
Dextromethorphan and pholcodine are cough medicines that are considered safe to take during pregnancy.
Keep in mind, the studies that have been done on these two types of medicine indicate that they do not cause birth defects; however, not enough research has been done to determine whether or not they cause premature births. Tea and honey may be the best option.
Can Excessive Coughing Cause Miscarriage?
No, coughing is not going to hurt your baby in any way. Excessive coughing and laughing has zero effect on whether or not people miscarry.
Even so, we recommend going to a doctor for excessive coughing. You want to make sure you’re looking after your own health even if it isn’t affecting the baby, too.
Which Cough Drops Are Safe During Pregnancy?
We especially like Ricola Cough Suppressant Throat Drops and Halls Menthol Cough Suppressant. Ricola and Halls are proven to be safe for pregnant women, so we think it’s best to stick with those.
With that in mind, it’s best not to eat lots and lots of cough drops. Too much of anything isn’t good for you or the baby.
The Bottom Line
It’s so easy to be confused about what’s safe and what’s not during pregnancy, especially because your baby’s health is so important. It’s always good to exercise caution and use medication sparingly, but the consensus in the medical community is that most cough drops are entirely safe.
Playing It Safe
Speak with your doctor if you have any concerns. And if you’re early in your pregnancy, ask your doctor what they recommend you take if you come down with a sore throat.
