You're staring at the pharmacy shelf, your throat feels like it’s been rubbed with sandpaper, and you’re sneezing so hard you’re worried the baby is getting motion sickness. It's miserable. Being sick while pregnant is a special kind of torture because your immune system is naturally suppressed to protect the baby, meaning a simple cold lingers way longer than usual. You reach for a bag of Halls or Ricola, but then that voice in the back of your head kicks in. Pregnant can I take cough drops? Is it safe? Does it matter if it has menthol?
Honestly, the short answer is usually yes, but "usually" is doing a lot of heavy lifting there.
Most conventional cough drops are considered safe during pregnancy. However, the FDA doesn't strictly regulate herbal supplements or every specific lozenge ingredient the same way they do prescription drugs. This creates a bit of a gray area that makes many moms-to-be nervous. Dr. Kim Langdon, an OB-GYN, often notes that while topical or localized treatments like lozenges are generally low-risk, the ingredients list still matters. You aren't just eating candy; you're ingesting active compounds that cross the placenta.
Why Menthol is the Big Question Mark
Menthol is the "cooling" ingredient in almost every major brand. It’s derived from peppermint or other mint oils. When you suck on a menthol drop, it triggers cold-sensitive receptors in your mouth, which basically "tricks" your brain into thinking your nasal passages are clearer and your throat is numb.
👉 See also: Nutravita 60 Billion CFU Probiotic Cultures: Is This Dose Actually Overkill?
Is it dangerous? Not really. There is no clinical evidence suggesting that the amount of menthol in a standard cough drop causes birth defects or pregnancy complications. But, like everything in gestation, moderation is the rule. If you are eating an entire bag of menthol drops a day, you might be overdoing it. Some doctors suggest sticking to a limit of about 5 or 6 drops in a 24-hour period just to be cautious.
Interestingly, peppermint oil (the source of menthol) can sometimes worsen heartburn. If you’re already struggling with acid reflux—which, let’s be real, most pregnant women are by the second trimester—too many menthol cough drops might make that burning in your chest feel even worse. It’s a trade-off. You might fix the cough but trigger the reflux.
Benzocaine and Numbing Agents
If your throat is truly raw, you might be looking at "Extra Strength" versions like Cepacol or Chloraseptic lozenges. These often contain Benzocaine.
Benzocaine is a local anesthetic. It numbs the tissues it touches. According to the American Pregnancy Association, benzocaine is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy because it stays localized in the mouth and throat. Very little of it enters your bloodstream.
However, you should avoid any drops that contain alcohol or high concentrations of povidone-iodine. While these are rare in lozenge form, they do show up in some throat sprays and "medicated" rinses. Always flip the bag over. If you see a list of "inactive ingredients" that looks like a chemistry textbook, maybe put it back and look for a simpler option.
The Sneaky Danger: Sugar and Gestational Diabetes
This is the part most people overlook.
Cough drops are basically hard candy. They are loaded with glucose, corn syrup, or sucrose. If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, or if you are at high risk for it, mindlessly sucking on sugar-filled drops all day can spike your blood sugar.
- Sugar-free drops exist, but they have their own issues.
- Most sugar-free versions use Aspartame or Sucralose.
- Some use Isomalt, which is a sugar alcohol.
Sugar alcohols are notorious for causing "digestive distress." Read: gas, bloating, and diarrhea. When you're already feeling heavy and bloated from pregnancy, the last thing you want is a laxative effect from your cough medicine. If you need to watch your sugar, look for drops sweetened with Stevia or just limit your intake of the regular ones.
Herbal Remedies and "Natural" Brands
You might think "natural" is always better, but in the world of pregnancy, natural can actually be trickier. Brands like Ricola use a blend of herbs like hyssop, mallow, thyme, and sage.
In culinary amounts (like the sage in your stuffing), these are fine. But some herbs, when taken in concentrated medicinal doses, are technically "uterine stimulants." For instance, large amounts of sage or goldenseal are often flagged by herbalists as things to avoid during pregnancy.
Does a single Ricola have enough sage to cause a problem? Almost certainly not. But if you’re the type of person who wants to be 100% sure, sticking to plain honey-and-lemon drops is usually the "cleanest" route. Honey is a powerhouse. A study published in the journal Pediatrics (though focused on children) found that honey was actually more effective at suppressing a cough than dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in many syrups.
When to Stop Self-Treating
A cough drop is a Band-Aid. It doesn't cure the virus. If you've been popping drops for three days and things are getting worse, you need to check your temperature.
A fever during pregnancy is more concerning than the cough itself. High maternal temperatures (usually over 100.4°F or 38°C) have been linked to developmental issues, especially in the first trimester. If you have a fever, a productive cough with green or yellow mucus, or if you feel short of breath, stop worrying about the cough drops and call your OB-GYN or midwife immediately. It could be bronchitis or even pneumonia, which requires real intervention, not a lozenge.
Actionable Steps for Relief
If you're currently suffering, here is how to handle it safely and effectively:
- Try the "Honey Hack" first: Before reaching for medicated drops, take a tablespoon of raw honey. It coats the throat better than any drop can. You can also mix it into warm water with half a lemon.
- Look for Pectin: If you want to avoid menthol and herbs entirely, look for "throat drops" where the active ingredient is Pectin. Pectin is a natural fiber found in fruit. It creates a soothing film over your throat (it’s a demulcent) without any drug-like effects. Luden’s is a popular brand that uses pectin.
- Hydrate like it's your job: Thinning out mucus is the only way to stop the "tickle" that causes the cough. Drink 8-10 ounces of water every hour you're awake.
- The Saltwater Gargle: It's old-fashioned and kind of gross, but it works. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. Gargle and spit. It draws out excess fluid from the inflamed tissues in your throat, reducing pain.
- Humidify: Run a cool-mist humidifier at night. Dry air is a major trigger for pregnancy-related congestion and coughing.
- Check the "Extra" Ingredients: Avoid drops with added Zinc or Vitamin C if you are already taking a prenatal vitamin. You don't want to over-supplement certain minerals without checking with your doctor first.
Basically, if you need a cough drop to get through a meeting or sleep for a few hours, go for it. Pick a simple honey-based or pectin-based one if you're worried about herbs, and keep the menthol versions to a minimum. Most importantly, listen to your body—if the cough isn't budging, get a professional opinion.