Robitussin is a cough suppressant drug which was introduced in 1924. It contains several ingredients such as guaifenesin, pseudoephedrine, caffeine and many others. Robitussin is used to treat cold symptoms like sore throat, runny nose and congestion. However, it may cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
The effects of Robitussin are similar to those of other drugs used to treat cough, including the use of alcohol or tobacco. These include decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting, headache and dizziness.
There have been reports that Robitussin causes miscarriage when taken during pregnancy.
There are no studies that show any harmful effects from taking Robitussin during pregnancy. Some studies have shown that Robitussin does not affect the fetus’ growth or development.
Other studies do not show any problems with the mother’s health either. But there is still some concern about this medication because of its possible side effects on the baby.
It is best to avoid using Robitussin during pregnancy unless your doctor prescribes it for you. If you need to take it, make sure to only use the recommended dosage.
While there may not be any proven side effects of taking Robitussin during pregnancy, there are alternative treatments that should be tried first. These include drinking plenty of fluids to wash out the mucus from your nose and throat, eating foods that help soothe your throat and sucking on hard candies or lozenges.
If these methods do not work, then your doctor may prescribe a small amount of Robitussin.
If you are taking Robitussin and planning to become pregnant or if you become pregnant while taking it, contact your doctor immediately. He or she may recommend that you stop taking the drug due to the possible side effects it could have on the baby.
Pregnancy Category: C
When you are pregnant, the Food and Drug Administration classes certain medications as Category C. This means that there haven’t been enough studies done on animals or humans to prove the safety of these medications for use during pregnancy.
These drugs should only be taken if the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks, and under the direction of your doctor.
Robitussin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it is safe to take this medication if you are pregnant.
Before taking this drug, talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It’s also important to tell your healthcare professional if you are breastfeeding or planning to take this medicine while breastfeeding. It may not be safe, and can have negative effects on the baby.
A licensed pharmacist can also give you more information and personal advice based on your health and medical history.
Sources & references used in this article:
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The possible teratogenic effect of salicylates on the developing fetus: Brief summaries of eight suggestive cases by JR Mcniel – Clinical pediatrics, 1973 – journals.sagepub.com
The use during pregnancy of prescription, over‐the‐counter, and alternative medications among Hispanic women by J Bercaw, B Maheshwari, H Sangi‐Haghpeykar – Birth, 2010 – Wiley Online Library
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