{"id":629608,"date":"2024-09-12T09:30:58","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T13:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629608"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:44:50","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:44:50","slug":"can-you-take-hydroxyzine-while-pregnant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/can-you-take-hydroxyzine-while-pregnant\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take hydroxyzine during pregnancy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hydroxyzine<\/span><\/a>, also known by its brand names <\/span>Vistaril<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Atarax<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>is a <\/span>first-generation antihistamine<\/span><\/a> used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and allergy symptoms such as skin rash, hives, and itchiness. It<\/span> has been <\/span>FDA approved<\/span><\/a> for use in the U.S. since 1957. Yet, there are no human studies establishing its safety during pregnancy. <\/span>B<\/span>ecause of the lack of data, <\/span>some providers don’t prescribe hydroxyzine during pregnancy<\/span><\/a>—especially during the first trimester and during labor. Luckily, there are safe alternatives to treat allergies and anxiety when you’re expecting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take hydroxyzine while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hydroxyzine is contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy and during labor. “It increases the risk of fetal defects,” says<\/span> Kecia Gaither,<\/span><\/a> MD, MPH, an OB-GYN and the director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health + Hospitals\/Lincoln. This is based on <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> in pregnant mice, rabbits, and rats that found the medication caused fetal abnormalities in high doses. Because it is unknown if the same applies to humans, <\/span>hydroxyzine is an FDA Category C drug<\/span><\/a>. This means that its safety during pregnancy hasn’t been established yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, antihistamines are generally considered safe during pregnancy, especially later in gestation. The<\/span> National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)<\/span><\/a> and the<\/span> American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)<\/span><\/a> list hydroxyzine as an antihistamine that may be safe during the second and third trimesters. The <\/span>ACOG<\/span><\/a> also states that hydroxyzine can be useful as a supportive treatment for patients with anxiety-related insomnia due to the medication’s sedating effects. Regardless, you should always check with your obstetrician before taking any <\/span>medication<\/span><\/a> during pregnancy.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the risks of taking hydroxyzine while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hydroxyzine is known to cross the placental barrier, says Dr. Gaither. When taken during the first trimester, the <\/span>potential risks<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n