Medicines during pregnancy and lactation

In general, as little medication as possible should be taken during pregnancy and lactation. If a patient catches a cold during pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is still possible to treat the cold without harming the unborn child. In general, every medication and also every household remedy should be discussed with the family doctor, gynaecologist or pharmacist so that any danger to the unborn child can be minimized.

There are, however, various medicines for colds that can be taken during pregnancy and while breast-feeding, although these are not so much medicines as household remedies. Most importantly, all teas containing menthol (including peppermint) and essential oils should be avoided. These drugs can possibly cause the baby to have difficulty breathing due to the menthol-containing substances.

The medication for colds in pregnancy and while breastfeeding is therefore best taken on a natural basis and should be discussed in detail with the doctor. For example, seawater-like solutions, which are contained in nasal sprays or nasal drops or can also be inhaled, are harmless to the well-being of the mother and the child. Most types of tea such as chamomile tea, ginger tea or sage tea can also be used without any problems for pregnant women. The same applies to sage candies. It is important, however, that in case of fever, drugs such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are only administered after close consultation with a specialist and only after considering the risk-benefit ratio.

Medicines for colds and sniffles

Especially in the winter months, many patients become increasingly ill and need medication for colds and colds. There is a whole range of options here, many of which are based on household remedies or over-the-counter medicines. Steam inhalation baths are best suited in this case.

In this case, an essential oil (thyme, pine, etc.) or sea salt is added to a bowl of water at about 45-70°C. The patient then breathes in and out over the bowl for about 10 minutes, with a towel over the head preventing the steam from escaping into the room.

As a result, the nasal mucosa swells slightly and the secretion, i.e. the mucus that is in the nose, liquefies better. Nasal sprays or nasal drops are also good medicines for colds and sniffles. There are various possibilities here.

Firstly, there are nasal sprays or nasal drops with sea salt water, which are non-addictive.On the other hand, there are nasal sprays and also nasal drops with the active ingredient xylometazoline or oxymetazoline. These active ingredients ensure that the nasal mucosa is contracted, which is why these drugs for colds and sniffles have a decongestant effect and clear the nose very quickly. It is precisely because of this effect, however, that the nose can become accustomed to this effect (adaptation).

This then leads to the fact that after a short time the patient can no longer breathe through the nose without a nasal spray and requires ever higher doses of the nasal spray. This is why this medication for colds and sniffles should be used for a maximum of 7 days, otherwise the dreaded adaptation will occur. In order to make the cold a little more fluid, the patient can additionally rub himself with lotions containing peppermint, for example. Care should also be taken to ensure a sufficient drinking intake, with sage tea or chamomile tea being particularly helpful.