Antiviral during pregnancy 1st trimester: a list of drugs approved for use in the early stages

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

No one is immune from viral diseases. This also applies to expectant mothers. That's just while waiting for the baby, women are forbidden to use many of the usual means for treatment. In particular, this applies to antiviral drugs during pregnancy in the 1st trimester. Treatment of the expectant mother should be carried out taking into account not to harm the developing body of the baby. How to do it? Below is a detailed description of which antiviral can be used during pregnancy in the 1st trimester. It also talks about ways to help speed up the healing process.

Danger of viral diseases in early pregnancy

Viral diseases in the early stages can complicate the course of pregnancy and have a negative impact on the development of the fetus. During this period of time, the protective forces of women are significantly weakened. Nature provided for this so that her body would not be rejected.embryo, perceiving it as a foreign object (after all, it consists of half of foreign DNA). But the woman herself also becomes much more vulnerable to various, including respiratory viral, diseases.

It is very difficult to predict in advance how the transferred ARVI will affect the he alth of the unborn baby. The disease can pass without any consequences or complicate the course of pregnancy. Viral diseases in the early stages can provoke development:

• preeclampsia;
• polyhydramnios;
• placentitis;
• preterm birth.

The situation gets even worse when a bacterial infection joins the viral disease.

Can antivirals be used? Nuances

Antiviral drugs during pregnancy (1st trimester) can be prescribed in cases where SARS or influenza are severe or other chronic diseases have worsened against their background. But it is important to remember that the vital activity of viruses is directly related to the cells into which they have penetrated. After all, this is where they breed. This means that during the destruction of the infection with the help of antiviral drugs during pregnancy in the 1st trimester, the cells of the woman's body are also damaged. Before prescribing such medications to the expectant mother, the doctor will definitely take into account all the pros and cons of therapy.

Possible risks when using

Antiviral for pregnant women in the 1st trimester (the list of allowed drugs will be discussed below) exposes the expectant mother and herbaby at great risk. In the early stages, the development of the internal organs of the fetus occurs. Substances contained in antiviral drugs can lead to birth defects and malformations. By the way, the risk of such phenomena decreases with increasing gestational age.

In addition, many antiviral drugs have not been tested regarding their effect on the body of a pregnant woman and her unborn child. This means that their possible negative impact or lack of it has not been scientifically proven.

Types of funds

All kinds of antiviral drugs during pregnancy (1st trimester and for later periods) can be divided into three main groups:

1. Drugs whose active substances cannot cross the placenta and will not harm the unborn baby.
2. Drugs whose active substances can cross the placenta, but do not affect the intrauterine development of the fetus.
3. Drugs whose active substances are able to cross the placenta and accumulate in the tissues of the embryo.

From the names themselves it becomes clear that it is best to give preference to funds from the first, in extreme cases - the second, group. In most cases, these are homeopathic or immunomodulatory drugs.

But the use of medicines that are included in the third group must be avoided so as not to increase the risk of abnormal fetal development.

Approved drugs

It's time to consider approved antivirals for pregnant women (1st trimester). The list of drugs isso big:

1. "Viferon".
2. "Anaferon".
3. Oscillococcinum.
4. Grippferon.

All of them are highly effective in fighting viruses, but at the same time do not have a significant effect on the development of the fetus. It is worth familiarizing yourself with each of the above drugs in more detail.

Viferon

The drug goes on sale in the form of a gel, ointment and suppositories. It is used in the treatment of respiratory viral and inflammatory infectious diseases (flu, pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, active phases of hepatitis, rubella, and so on). The drug in the form of an ointment is used for papillomavirus infections on the skin and mucous membranes, as well as for herpes.

Instructions for "Viferon" warns that the remedy is approved for use starting from the 14th week of pregnancy. First of all, it concerns suppositories. But the doctor can prescribe a gel and ointment at an earlier date, since they have an effect only in the lesion.

In addition to early pregnancy, the drug has other contraindications for use. In particular, this is an increased sensitivity to the constituent components of "Viferon".

Side effects from treatment with this remedy are found only in isolated cases. They can manifest as an allergic reaction, which is accompanied by itching and a rash. As a rule, after stopping the drug, side effects disappear within 72 hours.

Anaferon

Nextallowed during pregnancy (1 trimester) antiviral - "Anaferon". It is available only in the form of tablets. Indications for use, according to the instructions, are:

• various forms of herpes;
• acute respiratory viral diseases;
• early flu;
• decreased immunity;
• cytomegalovirus infection.

In addition, the drug can be used as a prophylactic during epidemics of colds.

"Anaferon" is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to its active or excipients.

Can I use this antiviral during pregnancy (1st trimester)? Yes, otherwise its name would not appear in this article. But it is important to consider that in the early stages of the use of any of the medications, you must first consult with your doctor. He will take into account the possible risks and benefits, and then decide on the need to use Anaferon.

By the way, there is not only an "adult", but also a "child" form of the drug. In some cases, the doctor prescribes it to the pregnant woman. It is believed that this option is safer, although no less effective.

You should be careful with the use of this drug. Failure to comply with the permitted dosage or using it too often can lead to the development of an allergic reaction.

Oscillococcinum

Another antiviral allowed in the 1st trimester is Oscillococcinum. It can be classified as a homeopathicfunds, since the drug has a natural composition. In most cases, Oscillococcinum is prescribed to strengthen a weakened immune system, as well as a faster recovery from colds. The drug helps to reduce high fever and get rid of other symptoms of SARS, thereby improving the well-being of the pregnant woman. But it will not help to completely cure the disease, so you will have to take other means for symptomatic therapy in parallel.

The drug is well tolerated and rarely causes adverse reactions. If this does happen, they manifest themselves as an allergy, which quickly disappears after the drug is stopped.

Despite the fact that Oscillococcinum is the safest antiviral for pregnant women (1 trimester), do not self-medicate. In addition, the drug has some contraindications for use. For example, it is prohibited for people with hypersensitivity to its components, as well as for patients with sucrose and lactose intolerance.

Grippferon

According to the manufacturer, "Grippferon" is also a completely safe remedy. The use of this antiviral during pregnancy (including the 1st trimester) is not prohibited.

"Grippferon" is available in the form of drops and spray. They need to be applied to the mucous membranes of the nose.

The use of the drug can be prescribed when:

• high temperature;
• headaches;
• sore throat;
• cough;
• ache in the joints;
• runny nose.

As a rule, it is used when the first symptoms of a cold appear, and also as a prophylactic during influenza and SARS epidemics.

Like other medications, Grippferon has some contraindications for use. It is not prescribed to patients with hypersensitivity to the constituent components, as well as in the presence of severe allergic diseases.

What can be treated while pregnant?

Given that many conventional drugs, including antivirals, are prohibited during pregnancy (1st trimester and even later), expectant mothers have a completely logical question about how to treat colds and other diseases. We will not repeat and once again say that with this problem it is necessary to consult a doctor. Instead, here are a few medications that can help manage respiratory symptoms without harming a developing fetus.

Heat temperature

Start with a high temperature. One of the most effective and safe means to combat it is the well-known Paracetamol. It is present in many antipyretic drugs, but it is recommended to take it in its pure form.

Another popular and effective remedy that does not harm the unborn baby is Panadol.

Cough

Doctor Mom will help get rid of a strong cough. This product is highly effective andspeed of action. But do not use it with a weak cough. In such a situation, it would be much better to use "folk" methods of treatment that will definitely not bring harm (plentiful warm drinking, and so on).

Muk altin and Bromhexin also proved to be good.

Rhinitis

The safest remedy for getting rid of a cold is Aquamaris. The drug contains only sea water in its composition, but this does not make it less effective. Also, a pregnant woman can use Pinosol drops, but you must first read the instructions so as not to exceed the maximum allowable dosage and duration of use of the product.

Prohibited drugs

In addition to many antiviral drugs, some other drugs are prohibited in the 1st trimester and later in pregnancy. For example, a woman should not use Aspirin to reduce a high temperature. The ban group also includes antibiotics based on tetracycline. The most popular among them are Tetracycline, Levomycetin and Streptomycin. These drugs can disrupt the formation of the skeleton of the fetus, thereby greatly harming it.

Prevention of viral diseases. how to protect yourself?

How to avoid the need for antivirals during pregnancy in the 1st trimester? Prevention is the answer to this question. Experts recommend paying special attention to the state of your he alth. Since during pregnancy a woman is responsible not only for herself, but also for the future baby.

To protect yourself from colds or the flu, you need to follow a few simple rules:

• cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing;
• don't use the same tissue for a long time;
• try not to touch eyes, nose and mouth;
• avoid contact with sick people whenever possible;
• wash your hands often with soap;
• during epidemics, wash your nose and rinse your mouth after returning from the street;
• wet clean the apartment and do not forget to ventilate the rooms;
• use a gauze bandage when visiting crowded places;
• take herbal infusions rich in vitamin C (blackcurrant, cranberry, lingonberry, rosehip);
• include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

After contact with sick people, the option of a single use of approved antiviral agents, which we have already mentioned above, is not ruled out. But still, you should not get too carried away with them and use them at every opportunity. Despite what the manufacturer says about the safety of antiviral drugs, these are still medications.