For a wet, productive cough, choose an expectorant. There are a variety of OTC cough/cold drugs that can safely be taken with Wellbutrin (bupropion). Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an analgesic used to treat pain, sore throat, fevers and muscle aches. Statins are common medications that lower high cholesterol. NSAID medications have known antiplatelet effects. Here's a look at some common cold remedies and what's known about them. The type of cough determines the kind of medicine you need. Common cold. Perhaps the most well-known interaction in terms of OTC medication and SSRI drugs is with the cough suppressant dextromethorphan. It may help reduce anxiety and enhance meditation. Some of these combination products contain medications that are not safe during pregnancy. , you can also use to look up medications. Relieve pain. (2019). They may not be the right choice. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. Echinacea. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low. Pediatrics. Medications to be cautious of, or avoid, include NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, and nasal decongestants (like Sudafed). Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. Learn about side effects, warnings, dosage, and more. These options include antihistamines, expectorants, and nasal decongestants. (2017). National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Quantities are limited and you may need to show ID to buy it. And expectant mothers have something unique to consider: are cold medications safe for my unborn baby? Your abdomen area expands and contracts with each inhalation and exhalation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Statins. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. But certain supplements can interact with OTC medications. Zinc. The generic antitussive dextromethorphan is in many OTC medicines, including: During the day, you want your cough to clear mucus from your lungs. (2014). Medications in the first trimester of pregnancy: most common exposures and critical gaps in understanding fetal risk. Does Levothyroxine Interact With Birth Control Pills? After 20 weeks, NSAIDs can lower the level of fluid in your belly that protects your baby (amniotic fluid). Do you have a head cold? Antibiotic prescribing and use in doctors offices. Use caution when giving lozenges or hard candy to children because they can choke on them. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance. Cough suppressants treat dry coughs. You want to find the best product or products to treat your symptoms but need to keep in complications. Below, I will discuss over-the-counter cough and cold medications that are considered safe to use with Lexapro (escitalopram). Antihistamines block the chemical histamine. In fact, its common for pregnant women to get sick more easily. Staff, excessive/overdosages of dextromethorphan. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology. A variety of cough and cold medications are available at your local pharmacy. Read our, Decongestant for Your Cold and Flu Symptoms, Best OTC Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers, How to Choose the Best OTC Cough Medication. There is some evidence that the mineral zinc can help to shorten the duration of a cold. Oxymetazoline nasal spray. Some studies show no benefit. I have it on my medical HelloPharmacist This content does not have an Arabic version. Some antihistamines have side effects including: Talk to your healthcare provider before taking antihistamines if you have: Multi-symptom formulas typically include a combination of: These treat many different cold and flu symptoms in one dose. Can Hawthorn And Labetalol Be Taken Together? In the next sections, I go over which medications are considered safe to take with Wellbutrin. Allergic rhinitis. Afrin shouldn't be used for more than three consecutive days. For children older than 6 months, give either acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Zinc is the main ingredient in Zicam, a homeopathic medication marketed to end colds faster. Zinc also has potentially harmful side effects. Some medications come as a syrup that contains ethanol. Speaking of soothing, honey is a safe and easy way to coat an irritated, scratchy throat and calm annoying coughs. Lexapro is compatible with other cold remedies such as Zinc lozenges and vitamin C. Be aware that there are numerous herbal products that DO interact with Lexapro, but vitamin C and zinc are considered safe. A runny nose is how the body reacts to the inflammation and irritation that a cold virus is causing in the nasal passages. How to safely and effectively treat cough and cold symptoms with over-the-counter medicine can sometimes be difficult if you are on prescription medication, especially ones that are known to have drug interactions. What cold medicine can I take while breastfeeding? That said, there are limitations when treating your cold symptoms while breastfeeding and some meds you should avoid completely. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It helps at the level of the small blood vessels in your nasal passageways to reduce the swelling and dry up the mucus that your body produces, allowing you to breathe a little easier. Sullivan JE, et al. (2018). MotherToBaby. Neither of these caveats mean you cant take these medications while breastfeedingbut it does mean you need to be aware of the possible side effects and pay special attention to dosing instructions. For the most part, its okay for nursing moms to take many common cold medications. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that, short-acting medications are always preferable to long-acting ones. But it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones are safe to take while pregnant. Side effects of older antihistamines include sleepiness, tiredness, and dry mouth. If your symptoms get worse or do not get better within 10 days, call your provider. Common OTC analgesics include: Aspirin and acetaminophen may work better for fevers and headaches. It can also linger in your sinuses even after other symptoms fade. Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra all last 24 hours and are good options to combine with Wellbutrin if needed. As always, ask your provider before starting any medication. Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. This could potentially increase dextromethorphan concentrations. Eat well, wash your hands to avoid germs, and get plenty of rest. What safe cough and mucus medicine can I combine with Lexapro (escitalopram)? (2021). Make sure to check the label of cough medications for alcohol before taking anything while breastfeeding; while many dont include alcohol, there are still plenty of OTC medications, including cough syrups, that use it to increase the sedating effects of the medication. That means air can flow and mucus can drain. Below, well talk about how to tell if you have a cold, which cold medications are safe to take while pregnant, and which to avoid to prevent harm to your baby. Symptoms of a cold during pregnancy are no different than the usual cold symptoms. DM is generally safe to take during pregnancy. One important thing to remember: Try not to take two medications that contain the same active ingredients. Nasal steroids, such as Flonase, Nasacort, and Rhinocort are safe to take with Wellbutrin. Most cold symptoms go away within about a week. Keep in mind that even the best cold medicine will not cure the cold itself; cold medicines only relieve your symptoms while your immune system fights the virus. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Also, there is a free database, Lactmed, you can also use to look up medications. This group of medications includes ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Safety of intranasal corticosteroid sprays during pregnancy: an updated review. Learn more about what your, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. A review of antihistamines used during pregnancy. Others might cause harm to you or your baby. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Don't give lozenges or hard candy to children younger than 6 years. Accessed Feb. 20, 2020. (For example, you should opt for a four- to six-hour preparation of pseudoephedrine versus a 12-hour extended release formula if you have a choice.) Remember to wash your hands frequently. Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects. She does advise breastfeeding moms to avoid first-generation allergy medications like Benadryl, however, as they can cause sedation in your baby. If youre still feeling sick after that, or if your symptoms start to worsen, see a doctor. Reduced sleep in babies, infant irritability, reduced milk supply in moms, Drowsiness in babies. Use WebMD's Drug Interaction Checker tool to find and identify potentially harmful and unsafe combinations of prescription medications by entering two or more drugs in question. MedlinePlus. Child-safe OTC versions of ibuprofen, antihistamines, and cough suppressants are available for children age 2 and older. Research on guaifenesin use during pregnancy is limited. Accessed Feb. 20, 2020. Dextromethorphan is available in liquid and solid dosage forms. Common colds: protect yourself and others. Sugars and sweeteners. As you can see, you have many over-the-counter options for safely treating cough and cold symptoms while on Lexapro. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt, Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Raising a Healthy Child. Since colds are caused by a virus for which theres no cure, there isnt one easy fix to prevent them from happening or make them go away. 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