What medicine should pregnant women use for colds: safe medication guide and hot topics inventory
Recently, with the seasonal changes and the advent of high influenza season, "the safety of cold medicines for pregnant women" has become a hot topic on the Internet. The following is a summary of popular discussions in the past 10 days, combined with authoritative medical advice to provide scientific reference for pregnant mothers.
1. Statistics of hot topics across the entire network (last 10 days)

| Ranking | Topic keywords | Search volume (10,000) | Main discussion platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Effects of a cold in pregnant women on the fetus | 28.5 | Weibo, Zhihu |
| 2 | Safe antipyretics during pregnancy | 19.2 | Little Red Book, Baby Tree |
| 3 | Chinese medicine treats colds in pregnant women | 15.7 | Douyin, Kuaishou |
| 4 | The difference between COVID-19 and colds in pregnant women | 12.3 | WeChat, Toutiao |
2. Grading guide for cold medication for pregnant women
According to the US FDA pregnancy drug classification standards, the safety of common cold drugs is as follows:
| drug type | Representative medicine | pregnancy grade | Usage suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|
| antipyretic analgesics | Acetaminophen | Class B | Safe for short term use |
| antihistamines | Chlorpheniramine | Class B | Use as directed by your doctor |
| cough medicine | Dextromethorphan | Class C | Avoid in early pregnancy |
| pseudoephedrine | Various compound preparations | Class C | Use with caution |
3. Suggestions for phased medication use
1.First trimester (1-12 weeks): During the period of fetal organ formation, it is recommended to give priority to physical cooling (warm water bath) and honey water to relieve cough. If the fever exceeds 38.5℃, seek medical attention in time.
2.Second and third trimester of pregnancy (13-40 weeks): Class B drugs can be used short-term under the guidance of a doctor, but please note:
4. 5 hotly discussed issues on the Internet
| question | Authoritative answer |
|---|---|
| Can Isatis root be taken? | There is no clear evidence of teratogenicity, but the efficacy is unclear |
| Does vitamin C work? | Can help strengthen immunity, but cannot cure colds |
| Is Lianhua Qingwen safe? | Contains ephedra, contraindicated by pregnant women |
| Is nebulization treatment possible? | Normal saline nebulization may be considered for severe coughs |
5. Special reminder from experts
1. All medications must be evaluated by an obstetrician. The risks vary greatly in different stages of pregnancy.
2. The recently hot-searched folk remedies such as "Scallion White Ginger Soup" can only relieve symptoms and cannot replace drug treatment.
3. The course of a cold in pregnant women usually lasts 2-3 days longer than that of ordinary people, so body temperature changes need to be closely monitored.
4. The latest research shows (2024 "Lancet" data) that the risk of pneumonia caused by influenza in pregnant women is 5 times that of ordinary people. It is recommended to receive influenza vaccine before pregnancy.
Note: The data in this article are synthesized from the State Food and Drug Administration, UpToDate clinical database and hot spot monitoring across the entire network. Please follow your doctor's advice for specific medication.
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