Is It Safe To Use Abreva When Pregnant?
Abreva is an over-the-counter cream that is used to treat cold sores. Cold sores are a type of viral infection. It’s a useful medicine to help with cold sores, but it is OK to use when you are pregnant?
The main ingredient in Abreva is docosanol. Docosanol is a saturated fatty alcohol. It works by stopping the virus from spreading.
If you are pregnant and have a cold sore, you may be wondering if it is safe to use Abreva. The short answer is yes, it is safe to use Abreva when pregnant. However, you should always consult with your doctor before using any medication, even over-the-counter medications.
The main ingredient in Abreva, docosanol, has been studied in pregnant animals. These studies showed that docosanol was not harmful to the developing fetus. There are no studies we could locate about the use of Abreva in human pregnancies. However, because the active ingredient, docosanol, has been studied in animals and was not found to be harmful, it is considered safe for use in human pregnancies.
Abreva specifically states on their website that while the best thing to do during pregnancy is to treat the causes of cold sore outbreaks, you can keep Abreva handy and use it if the need arises[1]Treating A Cold Sore While Pregnant: https://www.abreva.com/managing-lip-health/cold-sore-triggers/pregnancy-and-periods/. This is confirmed by Parents.com who specifically notes Abreva is “pregnancy-safe.”[2]Parents.com: https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/pregnancy-health/is-a-cold-sore-dangerous-for-a-growing-fetus/
You should always talk to your doctor before using any medication during pregnancy, even over-the-counter medications like Abreva. Your doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits of using any medication during pregnancy. If you do decide to use Abreva during pregnancy, make sure to follow the directions on the package carefully. Do not use more than directed.
Side Effects
Abreva may cause side effects. The most common side effects include itching, burning, stinging, and redness at the application site. If these side effects are bothersome or do not go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Some people may also experience blistering or crusting at the application site. These side effects are usually mild and do not require medical treatment. However, if these side effects are severe or do not go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist right away.
All medications come with a risk of side effects. However, many people using this medication do not experience serious side effects from using it during pregnancy. When used as directed, the risk of serious side effects from using this medication is low. Consult with your doctor about any potential risks from using this medication before taking it during pregnancy.
Safe Or Not? In Short
So is it safe or not? The short answer appears to be yes According to studies done on animals, the main ingredient in Abreva—docosanol—is safe for use during pregnancy. Although there haven’t been any studies done specifically on humans yet, docosanol has shown no evidence of being harmful to developing fetuses in animal studies. Your doctor can help you weigh the risks and benefits of using any medication during pregnancy though so make sure to give them a call before self-medicating!