I Took Dayquil While Pregnant – What Do I Do? Will it Harm Unborn?

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My pregnant colleague – Trina- has been suffering from a severe cold for days. A friend brought her Dayquil, and she’s on her first dose. I once read about the risks of using Dayquil during pregnancy and had to tell Trina to avoid it.

Lower immunity in pregnancy makes you more vulnerable to minor illnesses like colds and flu. Some over-the-counter medications offer quick relief from the symptoms, but you should be careful. Like Trina, are you thinking, ‘I took Dayquil while pregnant; is it safe?”

Calm down. I have compiled helpful information about taking Dayquil during pregnancy, safety and natural remedies to fight colds and flu.

I Took Dayquil While Pregnant

I Took Dayquil While Pregnant. Is It Harmful?

Taking over-the-counter medication isn’t harmful, depending on specific drugs and duration. 

However, doctors advise against taking medicine with phenylephrine decongestant like Dayquil as it is known to constrict blood vessels. 

Tight blood vessels may lead to high blood pressure, which is life-threatening during pregnancy. Further, taking decongestants in the first trimester when your baby is developing vital organs may cause congenital disabilities.

Not all over-the-counter medicine is terrible. Talk to your doctor first to know the safest treatment for flu/cold. Drugs with a single ingredient are better than combined ones. For example, Dayquil combines acetaminophen (Tylenol), dextromethorphan and phenylephrine.

While the first two ingredients are safe for pregnant women, phenylephrine could be harmful. Take caution before taking any multi-purpose drug. Fever presents various symptoms, including fever, nasal congestion and coughs, which may be challenging to treat with a single ingredient.

What If I Took Dayquil While Pregnant?

Cold and flu are common illnesses in adults. According to the Texas department of insurance, individuals in the United States suffer over one billion colds in one year. With these statistics, pregnant women are no exception.

Most over-the-counter medicines are safe for use in pregnancy. It’s OK to buy some to relieve cold symptoms such as fever, cough, nasal congestion, dizziness and vomiting.

Dayquil is commonly recommended for treating cold and flu-like signs that may weigh you down. However, it may present complications to you and the unborn baby.

If the pharmacist accidentally prescribed this multi-purpose drug, and you took it by mistake, don’t panic. Worrying may yield stress and anxiety that’s unsafe for you. Avoid taking the next dose of Dayquil before sharing the ordeal with your doctor for further advice.

Experts warn against taking Dayquil during pregnancy due to the decongestant ingredient which causes defects. The American family physician found 10% of congenital disabilities are due to maternal drug exposure.

Dayquil has side effects, including drowsiness, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and dizziness, which may worsen during pregnancy. On taking this medication, watch out for such after-effects and seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

The drug is also linked to raising blood pressure and causing skin reactions. Don’t hesitate to find remedies if you notice any peculiar symptoms after taking Dayquil. Few pieces of research discuss the effects of dextromethorphan and phenylephrine; hence, avoiding them is safer.

Safe Medications For Cold And Flu In Pregnancy

Flu among pregnant women may cause premature births and birth defects. This calls for proper treatment. For safety purposes, there are other pregnancy-safe medications for treating flu/cold as follows:

  1. Tylenol (Acetaminophen)- Tylenol is a pain reliever and fever-regulating medication safe for pregnant women. It’s effective in treating mild fever, headaches and discomfort related to colds. Please take it as prescribed for the shortest duration possible.
  1. Antihistamines for nasal congestion such as:
  • Chlorpheniramine
  • Tripelennamine
  • Cetirizine
  • Doxylamine

Please check in with your doctor because some antihistamines may cause contractions, especially in the third trimester. Chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine are the most recommended for pregnant women.

  1. Cough suppressants and expectorants like Mucinex or Robitussin are considered safe for use in pregnancy.

The NIH affirms the safety of over-the-counter medications for treating colds as long as they are used for the specified symptoms and on a short-term basis.

12 Best Home Remedies For Nasal Congestion And Cold/Flu-Like Symptoms

Non-medical remedies are the best solutions to illnesses. If you accidentally took Dayquil while pregnant, you can stop and continue with natural home remedies instead.

Do the following to get relief from symptoms of a cold or flu:

1. Hydrate– Runny noses, coughs and sneezes could cause dehydration. Drink lots of warm fluids, including 8-10 cups of plain water, fresh fruit juices, or beverages. Hydration aids in fighting infection and clearing congestion in your nasal passage.

2. Improve your sleep quality– Sleeping gives your body energy to fight cold-related infections, promoting self-healing. Use pillows to raise and support your head. The slightly raised position enhances the easy flow of air while sleeping.

3. Use homemade nasal saline drops – To clear nasal congestion, make nasal saline using one cup of water, 1/8 tsp salt and baking soda.

4. Eat well- To treat cold/flu effectively, take a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. I know you’ll experience low appetite but try eating small food portions frequently instead of one main meal.

I Took Dayquil While Pregnant

Include plenty of veggies and fruits rich in vitamin C in your diet. Hot soups are also excellent in alleviating cold/flu symptoms. Fibre-rich foods are crucial to aid in digestion.

5. Breathe warm air– Use a humidifier or facial steamer to warm the air around your house. Humid air is essential in clearing a congested nose. If you don’t have the two, take a hot shower.

6. Use honey mixed with lemon water– Honey has antibacterial properties that are great for healing infections, while lemon’s vitamin C helps break mucus and heal a sore throat. Combining the two ingredients makes an effective solution for treating colds. It also suppresses coughs.

7. Try natural supplements- In addition to your prenatal supplements, natural vitamin c and zinc promote quick recovery. Remember to consult your healthcare provider about the best supplements to take.

8. Take ample rest- Like other illnesses, your body needs lots of rest for proper healing. Ask for a break from work. Take ample bed rest, read a book, watch a movie or have some quiet family time as you tackle the cold. Soon you’ll be ready to resume other daily activities.

9. Nasal drips– These are drug-free remedies for improving flu-related nasal blockage. They are sold over the counter.

10. Gargle warm Salty water– Gargling salty water helps in soothing a sore throat. You may also use plain water.

11. Drink turmeric milk – A cup of milk mixed with one tablespoon of turmeric before bed effectively relieves a sore throat and a runny nose.

12. Honey and ginger juice – Take raw organic honey mixed with grated ginger to treat cold/flu in pregnancy. Honey has antimicrobial properties, which work with ginger’s curative power to improve a runny nose.

Unlike medical treatments, Most of these home remedies need patience and consistency. If the cold/flu persists for over two weeks, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor. Every person is unique. One remedy may work on one person and fail on another.

Overall, natural remedies are safest for the baby and you. Only go for recommended over-the-counter cold meds as a last resort. But, if you’re pregnant and took Dayquil, there’s a high chance that it hasn’t taken effect, so don’t let it stress you.

Can Cold and Flu Affect My Unborn Baby?

Flu is a serious illness in pregnancy that may lead to hospitalization if not treated early. This respiratory infection easily spreads from one person to another. Colds are milder than flu but are still not good for pregnant moms.

Flu is likely to cause health complications such as stillbirths and preterm babies who aren’t fully developed. Contracting the diseases in the first trimester puts your munchkin at risk of congenital disabilities involving the brain, heart and spine. If a mom-to-be is hospitalized, her baby may have a low birth weight.

The good news is that, with proper management, most women recover from colds/flu and even deliver healthy babies. Health experts recommend early treatment of flu-like symptoms using antiviral medication to prevent worse eventualities. Getting a flu shot is another way of protecting pregnant women and their unborn babies.

Wrapping Up

Any sickness during pregnancy can cause worry and panic to mothers-to-be. It’s OK to find quick relief from symptoms using over-the-counter medicines. Some drugs are safe, while others may be harmful.

You recently took some cold/flu meds and are wondering, “What happens if I took Dayquil while pregnant?” usually, it’s not advisable to take any medication within the first twelve weeks.

Specific cold/flu drugs such as Dayquil may not be safe for you due to the decongestant ( phenylephrine). Several studies found this decongestant with the ability to cause congenital disabilities and maternal blood pressure.

Home remedies are safer natural options, including drinking honey/lemon water, hydrating, sleeping/resting and using homemade saline drops. If you want to manage flu/cold using Dayquil, seek advice from your doctor.

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