It’s Best to Skip Cough Drops During Pregnancy — Here’s What Two Ob-Gyns Have to Say

October 1, 2020 by Brittany Natale

According to Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, FACOG, double board-certified in ob-gyn and maternal fetal medicine, director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, to her knowledge there are no contraindications to using menthol cough drops during pregnancy. However, Dr. Gaither brings up another important issue that all pregnant people should be aware of: “Many cough drops may contain other additives besides menthol, like certain herbal preparations — so it’s best to consult with your physician as to the safety of those,” advises Dr. Gaither. She explains that it should also be noted that many cough drops contain sugar, corn syrup, or other sweeteners. This could impede glycemic control of someone who is pregnant and living with diabetes, either gestational or presentational. “In those instances sugar-free cough drops would be a viable alternative,” says Dr. Gaither.

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