{"id":627402,"date":"2024-04-04T14:58:05","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T18:58:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627402"},"modified":"2025-11-17T18:08:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T23:08:15","slug":"unisom-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/unisom-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it safe to take Unisom during pregnancy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nausea affects approximately <\/span>70%<\/span><\/a> of pregnant women, while insomnia has been reported by<\/span> 66% to 94%<\/span><\/a> of pregnant women. <\/span>Unisom<\/span><\/a> offers several over-the-counter products that may be recommended to pregnant women to treat nausea and insomnia. Taking some forms of Unisom while pregnant is generally considered safe as long as you read the label for active ingredients, consult your healthcare provider for recommendations, and stick to the correct dosage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Unisom safe during pregnancy?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/span>Unisom is an over-the-counter sleep aid, and its active ingredient is usually diphenhydramine, melatonin, or doxylamine,\u201d explains <\/span>Ila Dayananda, MD<\/span><\/a>, Chief Medical Officer and Founding Medical Director at <\/span>Oula Health<\/span><\/a> in New York. \u201cAll three are generally considered safe for occasional use during pregnancy, particularly for managing sleep disturbances.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unisom with <\/span>doxylamine<\/span><\/a> is considered safe during all trimesters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The use of Unisom containing <\/span>diphenhydramine<\/span><\/a> should be avoided in the first trimester, but it\u2019s important to weigh the benefits versus the risks of any medication during pregnancy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, untreated severe morning sickness can be more harmful than any potential side effects of a medication. <\/span>Hyperemesis gravidarum<\/span><\/a> is a severe form of pregnancy sickness that can lead to dehydration and severe weight loss. It\u2019s estimated that up to<\/span> 3% of pregnant women<\/span><\/a> will experience this debilitating condition, which can often lead to hospitalization.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Therefore, if you are really struggling with <\/span>insomnia or nausea<\/span><\/a> to the point where it\u2019s affecting daily activities and you\u2019ve not seen any improvement with natural remedies, then your healthcare provider may feel that Unisom (doxylamine and Vitamin B6 preparation) is beneficial. The <\/span>American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists<\/span><\/a> actually recommends these medications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Research has shown<\/span><\/a> that when doxylamine is the active ingredient in Unisom, it is generally considered safe and well-tolerated by pregnant women, provided the correct dosage is administered. <\/span>With that being said, Dr. Dayananda encourages women to always consult with their healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Compare pregnancy-safe Unisom products<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Active ingredient<\/b><\/td>\nDoxylamine<\/span><\/td>\nDiphenhydramine (not recommended in 1st trimester)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indication(s)<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Sleep<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Nausea\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Sleep<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recommended dose during pregnancy<\/b><\/td>\n12.5 to 25 mg<\/span><\/td>\n25 mg<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mechanism of action<\/b><\/td>\nAntihistamine<\/span><\/td>\nAntihistamine<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Side effects<\/b><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Tachycardia<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dry mouth<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Blurred or double vision<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Urinary retention<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Painful urination\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Palpitations<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Disorientation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Drowsiness\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Headache<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Stimulation<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Vertigo<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Anorexia\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dry mucous membranes\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Upper abdominal pain<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n