Medications to Treat Morning Sickness

under the name Debendox.

Diclectin is a combination of 10mg of the antihistamine Doxylamine succinate and 10mg of vitaminB6 (Pyridoxine hydrochloride) placed in a time-release tablet. It has been in use for over 50 years tosafely treat the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. As reported by Bruce Jancin of OB/GYN news onOctober 1, 2002 in an article entitled "Do-it-Yourself Bendectin Advocated for Nausea," Bendectinwas used for two decades before the manufacturer was forced to remove the drug from the marketdue to expensive lawsuits claiming the drug caused birth defects. Unfortunately, this drug is onlymanufactured in Canada, but can be purchased through Canadian online pharmacies with a validprescription. It is also available in the U.K. Treating it early enough may even help avoid thedehydration that can eventually require a hospital stay with I.V. If crackers, ginger tea, and hardcandies were all it took to feel better, these women would not be lying on the bathroom floor with acheek against the cool tile, wondering if they are really pregnant or perhaps dying from radiationpoisoning instead.

...

Luckily, there are medical treatments available for this debilitating condition, even if it doesn't landa mother-to-be in the hospital.

Any woman who has suffered from severe morning sickness knows that the well-meaning advice thatworks for mild pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting is like putting a band-aid on a severed limb.(Be sure not to buy Maximum Strength Unisom Nighttime Sleep Aid capsules, which are acompletely different product.)

While not approved for use with morning sickness, some care providers will recommend Emetrol,Dramamine, Bonine, or Benadryl. Of course, mothers-to-be always need to follow the dosages andrecommendations of their midwife or doctor.

In fact, a virtually identical medication was once available in the United States under the nameBendectin. The dosage required to curb symptoms will vary from woman to woman, but many startout at two tablets per day, working up to four if needed, and as many as eight in severe cases. Bothingredients are relatively inexpensive, with Unisom costing about $8.00 USD per packet and genericversions costing half that much. As with any medication taken during pregnancy, the risks andbenefits should be discussed with a care provider before a decision is reached.

For women in the United States who do not have drug coverage for pregnancy, Zofran can costupwards of $100-$500 for 20 pills, but may be found cheaper in stores such as Costco and Wal-mart.

Compazine (Prochlorperazine) and Phenergan (promethazine) are two prescription medications thatare also commonly used to treat nausea in pregnancy and are more affordable than Zofran.

Canada's Motherisk Update algorithm recommends diclectin as a first line attack on morningsickness, adding some of the stronger and/or more risky medications if relief is not achieved.

Non-pharmaceutical Relief for Morning Sickness

While they may not work alone for morning sickness that is severe enough to interfere with awoman's ability to work outside the home or perform daily functions, sometimes combining homeremedies for morning sickness with drugs can increase their effectiveness and bring relief.

With safe, effective medications on the market, women should not have to suffer the debilitating andsometimes dangerous effects of severe morning sickness, including hypemesis gravidarum. Thoseclaims were never founded, and the combination of doxylamine succinate and pyridoxinehydrochloride has been approved by the FDA and deemed safe by both the World HealthOrganization and the March of Dimes.

Over-the-counter Medications for Morning Sickness

Jancin's article goes on to explain how the active ingredients of bendectin and diclectin can beobtained over-the-counter in the form of B6 vitamins and a popular sleeping pill called Unisom. Thisdrug has not undergone the extensive testing of older medications, so its safety during pregnancyhas not been established, although many women have taken Zofran during their pregnancies with nosign of ill effects to their babies. Since Unisom (and generic counterparts) are sold in minimumamounts of 25mg, morning sickness sufferers can split the pill in two and take it with 25mg of B6l,up to three times per day. A midwife or doctor's advice should be solicited before taking any over-the-counter or prescription medication during pregnancy.

. If nothing else, just being able to tolerate the sights and smells of unisom and zofran for morningsickness the kitchen again can allow her to prepare healthier foods for herself, which benefits herunborn child and the rest of the family as well.

Note: This article is not meant to replace medical advice from a qualified medical care provider.Women wishing to try the do-it-yourself version of Bendectin or other over-the-counter solutionsshould discuss this option with their care provider and carefully follow his or her dosageinstructions.

Zofran for Morning Sickness

A newer and more expensive drug, Zofran (ondanestron) is often prescribed for severe morningsickness or hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnancy. fluids and medication.

Diclectin http://www.empr.com/zofran/drug/1495/ for Morning Sickness

One of the first line attacks on pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting in Canada is diclectin, amedication specifically made and marketed to treat morning sickness. Getting help for this conditioncan significantly improve a pregnant woman's mental state and quality of life