Many women also have allergies, such as allergic rhinitis, along with asthma. Treating allergies is an important part of asthma management.
- Inhaled corticosteroids at recommended doses are effective and can be used by pregnant women.
- The antihistamines loratadine or cetirizine are recommended.
- If you are already taking allergy shots, you may continue getting them, but starting allergy shots during pregnancy is not recommended.
- Talk to your doctor about using decongestants you take by mouth (oral decongestants). There may be better treatment options.
Asthma medicines and pregnancy
A review of the animal and human studies on the effects of asthma medicines taken during pregnancy found few risks to the woman or her fetus. It is safer for a pregnant woman with asthma to be treated with asthma medicines than for her to have asthma symptoms and asthma attacks.2 Poor control of asthma is a greater risk to the fetus than asthma medicines are.2 Budesonide is labeled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the safest inhaled corticosteroid to use during pregnancy. One study found that low-dose inhaled budesonide in pregnant women seemed to be safe for the mother and the fetus.4
Never stop taking or reduce your medicines without talking to your doctor. You might have to wait until your pregnancy is over to make changes in your medicine.
