Are Nasal Spray Safe During Pregnancy

Are Nasal Spray Safe During Pregnancy - Nasal Sprays or decongestants are widely used for treating allergic rhinitis, cold, and sinusitis. Easy-to-use OTC (over-the-counter) nasal sprays but there is a question. Are nasal sprays safe during pregnancy? These nasal sprays are easily available in the market and come under the OTC category. 

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These decongestants spray is applied to the nasal cavity and there are four major categories of nasal sprays- saline, corticosteroid, topical, and antihistamine. One should consult a doctor before taking any of the nasal sprays. Also, the time period of administering nasal spray should be restricted during the pregnancy. 

Nasal Spray or Decongestant Spray | A Brief

Allergies are common as one in five adults in India suffers from allergies. These allergies are caused by allergens or foreign substance that enters our body. The most common allergies are hay fever, seasonal allergic rhinitis, etc. Also, the most common symptoms of allergies are stuffiness, sneezing, runny nose, and itchiness in the throat, eyes, ears, and mouth. So, these decongestant spray helps in shrinking the blood vessels and opening the air passage for better breathing. These over-the-counter nasal sprays are mostly safe during pregnancy but over-dosage may lead to birth defects. 

There are three major categories of Nasal Sprays - 

1. Topical Decongestants - The popular topical decongestants OTC nasal spray that helps in treating sinus congestion, allergies, etc. However, there is a side effect of using topical decongestants for a prolonged time such as damage to the mucosal membrane of the nasal cavity. 
2. Saline Nasal Spray - A widely used nasal spray to treat symptoms of allergies such as stuffy nose, runny nose, and itchiness. The common saline nasal spray is sodium chloride to treat hay fever and allergic rhinitis. 
3. Steroid Nasal Spray - Steroid nasal spray has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in treating symptoms like headaches, bleeding, and nausea. This nasal spray is used for treating severe/moderate allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and hay fever. 

Safety of Nasal Spray During Pregnancy | Are Nasal Sprays Safe During Pregnancy

A study was conducted on over 140k pregnant women to know the effect of nasal spray during pregnancy. This study uses different kinds of nasal sprays or decongestants such as Fluticasone propionate, Ciclesonide, Veramyst, Mometasone, Beclomethasone, Budesonide, Triamcinolone, and Flunisolide. The study clearly shows that only Triamcinolone is linked to birth defects in the airways. Prolonged use of triamcinolone increases the risk of abnormalities in the respiratory system and blockage in the nasal airways (choanal atresia). 

Budesonide has been the no.1 most recommended nasal spray for use during pregnancy. However, there are other recommended nasal sprays are Mometasone, and Fluticasone propionate. Whereas triamcinolone and others have some concerns. So, one should consult a doctor before taking these nasal sprays. 

List of Different Categories of Nasal Sprays 

1. Category A - There is no sign of risk on the baby in any of the trimesters. 
2. Category B - There is no indication of any side effects on the unborn babies but there is inadequate research. 
3. Category C - It shows bad effects on the unborn baby but more research is needed to know the potential risks. 
4. Category D - There is no potential evidence showing risk to the baby. 
5. Category X - This last category shows the potential risk of fetal abnormalities. 

List of Safe Nasal Sprays During Pregnancy

As you can see there is a long list of nasal sprays available in the market that has different outcomes after the study. Here, we simply put one of the safest nasal sprays that one can use during her pregnancy after consulting a doctor. 

• Fluticasone Furoate Nasal Spray - This nasal spray is very effective in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Fluticasone is used for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis and is safe during using pregnancy. 
• Mometasone Nasal Spray - Mometasone treats symptoms like sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy nose, and runny nose. It helps in lowering inflammation and blocks allergens as it has anti-inflammatory properties. 

Direction To Use Nasal Spray 

Here is the direction to nasal spray or decongestant spray as mentioned below - 

1. First of all, clean your hands before using a nasal spray. Do not touch the tip of the bottle as it would lead to contamination.
2. Secondly, shake the bottle before use.
3. Spray 2-3 times into the nasal cavity, not in the septum, as it may cause irritation.
4. Keep your mouth close during application. 

Over usage of nasal spray may lead to rebound congestion or rebound effect. It happens when someone has a nasal decongestant used for three days continuously. 

Conclusion 

At last, we hope you get all the information about “are nasal spray safe during pregnancy”. However, if you have any doubts regarding nasal spray, then reach out to Nutra Respiro for more information!