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It is understandable for people – especially new mothers – to be interested in things that help relieve the nausea associated with pregnancy – Morning Sickness. The fact that newly pregnant women often have this experience, coupled with the incorrect idea that pregnancy is a medical condition that demands treatment, makes it an obvious choice to look to drug companies to supply products to treat the nausea.

There are many non-drug approaches to relieving morning sickness. They range from deep breathing techniques, to meditation, to substances such as ginger root and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). While not every approach works for everyone, most women will find relief from at least one of these approaches.

One such drug was a mixture of pyridoxine hydrochloride and doxylamine. It was called “Bendectin” (known as Debendox in the UK and Diclectin in Canada). It was voluntarily removed from the market in 1983 by its manufacturer, Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, following numerous lawsuits alleging that it caused birth defects, although an FDA panel concluded that no association between Bendectin and birth defects had been demonstrated. Diclectin is still available in Canada.

Even though the FDA found insufficient evidence that the combination was harmful, there were important reasons why a pregnant mom would not always be pleased with Bendectin. The problems are directly associated with the doxylamine component. It is an antihistamine and one that was widely know to cause both drowsiness (in addition to dry mouth, ataxia – jerky muscle movements, and urinary retention). In fact, it has been commonly used as a short-term sedative (non-prescription Unisom) and has even been included in some of the popular cold remedies – along with alcohol, it is what makes you sleepy when you take Nyquil. Doxylamine is more effective at causing drowsiness and sleep than diphenhydramine (the chemical name for Benedryl).

Doxylamine is staill available without a prescription and it is possible that pregnant women might be encouraged to use it to combat nausea and vomitting. The packaging is supposed to bear a warning against use by pregnant women. Even though the FDA didn’t conclude Bendectin was not harmful, they also did not testify that it was safe. Therefore, it is unwise to tempt fate and use doxylamine while pregnant. I suggest small amounts of ginger and/or pyridoxine (vitamin B6) – or any of the myriad of suggestions from others.

Larry J. Frieders, RPh

larry@thecompounder.com

The Compounder/Techni Med, Inc.
340 Marshall Ave #100
Aurora, IL 60506 – ph.630.859.0333

http://www.thecompounder.com

Morning Sickness DRUGS?! is a post from: havingtwinsnow.com

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