Unisom, an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid and antihistamine, is sometimes used to treat morning sickness in pregnancy. It's considered safe, and taking Unisom during pregnancy is not believed to increase the risk of birth defects.
Some researchers have suggested that babies may be born with congenital disorders if they're exposed to the active ingredients in Unisom during the first trimester. However, those findings have been criticized as inaccurate and the use of Unisom is generally believed to not increase the risk of birth defects. ethylsulfonyl
You should talk to your healthcare provider about any additional risk factors and concerns before using Unisom.
Unisom belongs to a class of drugs called antihistamines, which are primarily used to treat allergy symptoms.
There are different Unisom products available, which vary by their active ingredients. These include:
Both these ingredients are first-generation antihistamines, which means they block histamine (a substance in the body that triggers allergy symptoms) while also causing marked drowsiness. This makes Unisom a popular sleep aid and is most often used to treat short-term insomnia (difficulty getting or staying asleep).
These antihistamines also block receptors in the brainstem (the part of the brain that induces vomiting) and vestibular system (the part of the inner ear that helps maintain equilibrium and balance) to relieve nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.
The effectiveness of Unisom as a sleep aid and anti-nausea treatment makes it a common go-to medication during pregnancy when poor-quality sleep and nausea with or without vomiting are common.
Difficulty falling or staying asleep is very common during pregnancy. Physical discomfort, emotional stress, and hormonal changes can all impact the quality of a good night's rest. By blocking histamines in the brain, allergy medications like Unisom help you get to sleep and reduce the chances you will wake up during the night.
By suppressing the pathways that trigger nausea and vomiting, doxylamine and diphenhydramine have been shown to ease morning sickness symptoms.
Doxylamine can also be combined with vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) to treat morning sickness. Although the connection between B6 and nausea is poorly understood, low pyridoxine levels are common in early pregnancy and supplements seem to ease morning sickness.
Your healthcare provider may recommend Unisom SleepTabs and B6 as an off-label use for easing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The combined medications are especially helpful if you experience persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, known as hyperemesis gravidarum.
When taking Unisom, the dosage varies by the type of product you are using:
During pregnancy, it’s generally considered safe to take the typical adult dose. Never take more than one dose of Unisom within a 24-hour period.
You may also take a 20-mg dose of a vitamin B6 supplement with Unisom SleepTabs.
Some studies have suggested that taking antihistamines during the first trimester could increase the risk of birth defects, such as:
However, these findings have been criticized as flawed compared with more specific studies and when considered in light of the benefits of doxylamine and diphenhydramine over similar medications.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), it is also safe to take Unisom and vitamin B6 to treat symptoms of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe side effects while taking Unisom, such as blurry vision or difficulty urinating,
If you have overdosed on Unisom, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 even if you have no symptoms.
One antihistamine medication is approved specifically for pregnancy-related nausea.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Diclegis for morning sickness treatment. This medication is available by prescription. It combines both doxylamine succinate and pyridoxine hydrochloride in one.
If you'd rather not take an antihistamine while pregnant, several alternatives may help whether you have insomnia or morning sickness.
Many of the same lifestyle practices used to treat insomnia in people who are not pregnant can help you during pregnancy. There are also a few that are particularly useful while expecting.
Morning sickness usually lasts a short period early in pregnancy, but it can make life difficult. To manage the symptoms try some lifestyle changes:
If you’re pregnant, see your healthcare provider right away if you have severe nausea and vomiting. You may have hyperemesis gravidarum.
If left untreated, hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to complications like severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, acidosis (high blood acid), and cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats).
Unisom is an over-the-counter medication used to treat short-term insomnia. Some people use Unisom during pregnancy to help them fall or stay asleep. It may also be used in combination with vitamin B6 to treat morning sickness.
It is generally safe to take the recommended adult dosage of Unisom during pregnancy. According to the FDA, the risk of birth defects and other pregnancy complications is low. There are other ways to manage morning sickness, though, if you want to avoid medication.
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By Laura Dorwart Dr. Dorwart has a Ph.D. from UC San Diego and is a health journalist interested in mental health, pregnancy, and disability rights.
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