You're staring at the pharmacy shelf, your throat feels like it’s been rubbed with sandpaper, and every time you cough, you worry about the tiny human growing inside you. It’s a classic prenatal dilemma. Being sick while pregnant is basically an endurance sport. You can't take the "good" stuff—those heavy-duty decongestants or nighttime syrups that usually knock you out—so you reach for a bag of Ricola or Halls. But then you hesitate. Is it okay? Can I take cough drops during pregnancy or am I accidentally dosing my baby with something sketchy?
The short answer is usually yes. But honestly, it’s not a blanket "yes" for every single brand or ingredient. While most over-the-counter (OTC) drops are considered safe, the nuance lies in what's actually inside that little lozenge. It isn't just sugar and cherry flavoring.
Why the Confusion Around Cough Drops?
Pregnancy turns your body into a high-security zone. Everything you ingest passes through the placenta to some degree. When you’re looking at cough drops, the primary concern isn't usually the "active" ingredient like menthol, but rather the herbal blends and sweeteners that companies toss in.
Doctors generally categorize most cough drops as "probably fine." However, the FDA doesn't regulate herbal supplements—which many "natural" cough drops are—with the same rigor as pharmaceuticals. This means we’re often relying on observational data rather than gold-standard clinical trials. You’re not just eating a candy; you're taking a mild medicinal product.
The Menthol Factor
Most standard cough drops use menthol as an oral anesthetic. It’s that cooling sensation that makes your throat feel numb. Is it safe? In the small amounts found in a lozenge, yes. Menthol is a derivative of peppermint oil. While some practitioners suggest avoiding massive amounts of concentrated peppermint oil during the first trimester because of theoretical risks regarding uterine stimulation, the 5mg to 10mg of menthol in a cough drop is a drop in the bucket. It's essentially negligible.
Can I Take Cough Drops During Pregnancy? Breaking Down the Ingredients
When you flip that bag over, the ingredient list can look like a chemistry textbook or a botanical garden. Let's get real about what matters.
Benzocaine and Pectin
Some drops, like Cepacol, use benzocaine to numb the throat. Others, like Luden's, use pectin (a fruit fiber) to coat it. Pectin is 100% safe—it’s basically just thickened fruit juice. Benzocaine is also generally considered safe for occasional use in pregnancy, though it's a "real" medication, so you shouldn't be popping them like Tic-Tacs.
The Sugar Dilemma
If you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, the sugar content in cough drops actually matters. A bag of honey-lemon drops is essentially a bag of hard candy. If you're sucking on ten of them a day, your blood sugar will spike. Look for sugar-free versions, but then you have to watch out for...
👉 See also: Cleveland clinic abu dhabi photos: Why This Hospital Looks More Like a Museum
Artificial Sweeteners
Aspartame and Sucralose (Splenda) are generally deemed safe by the FDA and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). However, some women prefer to avoid them. If you’re high-risk or just cautious, a drop sweetened with stevia or a small amount of real honey might be a better middle ground.
Herbal Additives: The Wild West
This is where things get murky. Brands like Ricola contain a "blend of 13 herbs." It sounds lovely and earthy, right? But some herbs are questionable during pregnancy.
- Sage: Fine in stuffing, but concentrated sage oil is a no-go as it can be linked to high blood pressure or even miscarriage in high doses.
- Horehound: Often found in old-school lozenges. It’s an emmenagogue, meaning it could stimulate blood flow to the uterus. Most doctors say to skip horehound while pregnant just to be safe.
- Licorice Root: Real licorice (not the red candy) contains glycyrrhizin, which some studies, including a notable 2017 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggest could affect fetal brain development in very high quantities.
Small amounts in a single drop? Probably won't do a thing. But why take the risk if you're sick for a week?
What Experts Actually Recommend
If you call your OBGYN’s nurse line, they’ll probably give you a list of "approved" medications. Most of the time, can I take cough drops during pregnancy is answered with a list of specific brands.
- Halls (Standard): Usually fine.
- Ricola: Generally okay, but some doctors prefer you stick to the plain lemon-mint rather than the more exotic herbal blends.
- Luden’s: Very safe because they are mostly pectin and sugar.
- Fisherman’s Friend: Strong, but usually okay, though the high menthol content can be intense if you have a sensitive stomach.
Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, often notes that while these are safe, the "less is more" approach is always best during the first trimester when the baby's organs are forming.
Natural Alternatives That Actually Work
Maybe you’re through with the pharmacy aisle. If you’re worried about chemicals, there are "kitchen" remedies that are often more effective than a lozenge anyway.
The Magic of Honey
Honey is actually a clinically proven cough suppressant. A study from Penn State found that honey worked just as well as, if not better than, dextromethorphan (the active ingredient in Robitussin) for calming a cough. A spoonful of dark buckwheat honey before bed can be a lifesaver. Just don't give it to the baby once they're born (botulism risk for infants under one), but it’s perfectly safe for you.
✨ Don't miss: Baldwin Building Rochester Minnesota: What Most People Get Wrong
Salt Water Gargles
It’s boring. It’s gross. It works. A warm salt water gargle draws moisture out of the swollen tissues in your throat. It kills bacteria and loosens mucus. Do it every three hours.
Steam and Hydration
Your throat is dry because your body is diverting all its fluids to build a person and increase your blood volume. Drink more water than you think you need. Use a cool-mist humidifier. These aren't "extra" steps; they are the foundation of getting better.
When a Cough Drop Isn't Enough
Sometimes a cough isn't just a cold. If you’re asking "can I take cough drops during pregnancy" because you’ve been hacking for two weeks, we need to talk about when to see a professional.
If you have a fever over 100.4°F (38°C), call your doctor. High fevers are more dangerous to a fetus than any cough drop. If you’re coughing up green or yellow gunk, or if you feel a sharp pain in your chest when you breathe, you might have bronchitis or pneumonia. Pregnancy makes you more susceptible to these complications because your immune system is naturally suppressed so it doesn't "reject" the baby.
Also, be aware of "Whooping Cough" (Pertussis). Even if you're vaccinated, it's making a comeback. If your cough comes in violent fits where you can't catch your breath, don't reach for a lozenge—reach for the phone.
The Zinc Question
Some cough drops, like Cold-Eeze or Zicam, are loaded with zinc. Zinc is an essential mineral, and it's in your prenatal vitamin. However, getting too much zinc can interfere with copper absorption and might cause nausea—something you definitely don't need more of if you're already dealing with morning sickness. Stick to the daily recommended intake and avoid high-dose zinc lozenges unless your doctor clears them.
Practical Steps for Managing Your Cold
So, you're sick and pregnant. It sucks. Here is your game plan for the next 48 hours.
🔗 Read more: How to Use Kegel Balls: What Most People Get Wrong About Pelvic Floor Training
Check your current labels. If your cough drops have horehound or excessive licorice, swap them for a basic menthol or pectin drop. Can I take cough drops during pregnancy? Yes, but choose the "boring" ones.
Limit your intake. Try not to exceed 5 or 6 drops in a 24-hour period. If you need more than that, your throat needs a different kind of help, like a humidifier or more fluids.
Try the "Honey Trick" first. A teaspoon of honey in warm decaf tea is often more soothing than a hard lozenge. It lasts longer and has zero "mystery" ingredients.
Check your prenatal vitamin. If it already has 100% of your zinc and you start taking zinc-heavy lozenges, you’re doubling up. This can lead to stomach upset.
Monitor your symptoms. A cold should peak around day three or four and start improving. If you are getting worse, or if the cough is keeping you from sleeping entirely, ask your doctor about pregnancy-safe dextromethorphan (like plain Robitussin). It’s generally considered Category C, meaning it’s used when the benefits outweigh the risks, but you need that green light from your specific provider.
Stay upright. When you lie down, mucus pools in the back of your throat, triggering the cough reflex. Prop yourself up with a pregnancy pillow—you probably already have one anyway—to help drain the sinuses and give your throat a break.
Ultimately, your peace of mind is just as important as your physical comfort. If sucking on a cough drop makes you anxious, skip it. There are plenty of other ways to soothe a sore throat that don't involve wondering about the safety of herbal extracts. But if you really need that cooling relief, a standard menthol drop is a safe, tried-and-true tool to help you get through the night.