Course
Sign Up
Medication Warning

PREGNANCY SICKNESS ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
20-35% of pregnant women experience nausea during pregnancy, 1% suffer from a very severe form called Hyperemesis gravidarum, which can be dangerous for the mother-to-be and the foetus due to the serious dehydration and electrolyte loss.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
This severe form of pregnancy nausea and vomiting often doesn’t end at the end of the first trimester but persists throughout the entire pregnancy.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Sadly there are only very few harmless medications on the market that can help in these cases. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
One of the medications available on the Swiss market is ONDANSETRON. Ondansetron (brand name Zofran®) is now made responsible for an increase in orofacial clefts, also called cleft lip and palate. In some countries including Germany, Ondansetron is no longer recommended against pregnancy sickness in the first trimester ⁠⠀
What are the alternatives?⁠⠀
Before any prescription medication is used, gentler approaches should be tried whenever possible:⁠⠀
– eating small, frequent meals⁠⠀
– drinking plenty of fluids⁠⠀
– avoiding foods that make the woman feel sick⁠⠀
⁠⠀
If these steps don’t work, preparations containing ginger or vitamin B6 are worth a try. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Acupressure is also known to be beneficial. Studies show a small advantage of these products compared to a placebo. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Ginger can be oxytocic, labour stimulating, so it should only be used after the first trimester.⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Antihistamines have been shown to help against pregnancy sickness. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
Meclizine (in German called Meclozin) is one of the longest tried and tested medications during pregnancy and many studies have shown that it is safe for mother and unborn child. ⁠⠀
⁠⠀
In Germany, Meclizine has not been available since 2007 (but for economic reasons).⁠⠀
⁠⠀
In Switzerland, Meclozin is sold under the brand name Itinerol B6.⁠

Posted on November 15, 2019 by Luitgard Holzleg

This entry was posted in Blog and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.