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Can Otrivin Be Taken During Pregnancy?
Question: Hi, I am 19 weeks pregnant-first time pregnancy with PCOD issues. My current heamoglobin is 8.6, last month it was 9.2. TSH is 3.76, one month earlier it was 2.8. I am taking ferium XT and supracal as of now. I am used to otrivin-adult for nasal congestion. Age- 28 years, weight-58.5kg, BP-110/70, height-5ft. Sugar-110 (random). My questions are:
1. Can I continue taking otrivin keeping in view my pregnancy?
2. What medication I should go for to increase the Hb count keeping in view my pregnancy? Can I go for tonics like Hempher?
3. Is the TSH level normal keeping in view my pregnancy? If not, what are the steps/medication needed to take?
1. Can I continue taking otrivin keeping in view my pregnancy?
2. What medication I should go for to increase the Hb count keeping in view my pregnancy? Can I go for tonics like Hempher?
3. Is the TSH level normal keeping in view my pregnancy? If not, what are the steps/medication needed to take?
Brief Answer:
AS BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Let me address your questions one by one -
1. Otrivin is habit forming, even if you were non pregnant, it is not desirable for long term use. During pregnancy, it is not at all advisable to continue its use.
Use plan Salin ( saline nasal drops ), steam, eucalyptus oil, Vitamin C tablets etc, take ginger, tulsi and mint tea, but avoid habit forming drugs.
Safety of Otrivin during pregnancy is not proven.
2. To increase the Hemoglobin count, take twice a day Ferium XT . Syrups like Hempher provide the same iron, but in liquid form.
To enhance iron absorption, take iron tablets on an empty stomach, 2 hours before or after a meal.
Take calcium with atleast 4 hours gap.
With iron, take vitamin C tablets.
Get complete anemia profile done to know the cause of persistent iron deficiency anemia, get thalassemia screening also done.
FOr hemoglobin formation, along with heme ( iron ) - globin, ( protein ) is also essential.
Take lots of protein daily ( egg, chicken, fish, paneer, tofu, dal ) or Protinex powder 2 tablespoons in a glass of milk twice a day.
3. THe TSH level should be kept to less than 2.5 ideally, yours is slightly higher.
What dose of Eltroxin / Thyronorm are you taking , please let me know. Accordingly I can suggest dosage modification.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
AS BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Let me address your questions one by one -
1. Otrivin is habit forming, even if you were non pregnant, it is not desirable for long term use. During pregnancy, it is not at all advisable to continue its use.
Use plan Salin ( saline nasal drops ), steam, eucalyptus oil, Vitamin C tablets etc, take ginger, tulsi and mint tea, but avoid habit forming drugs.
Safety of Otrivin during pregnancy is not proven.
2. To increase the Hemoglobin count, take twice a day Ferium XT . Syrups like Hempher provide the same iron, but in liquid form.
To enhance iron absorption, take iron tablets on an empty stomach, 2 hours before or after a meal.
Take calcium with atleast 4 hours gap.
With iron, take vitamin C tablets.
Get complete anemia profile done to know the cause of persistent iron deficiency anemia, get thalassemia screening also done.
FOr hemoglobin formation, along with heme ( iron ) - globin, ( protein ) is also essential.
Take lots of protein daily ( egg, chicken, fish, paneer, tofu, dal ) or Protinex powder 2 tablespoons in a glass of milk twice a day.
3. THe TSH level should be kept to less than 2.5 ideally, yours is slightly higher.
What dose of Eltroxin / Thyronorm are you taking , please let me know. Accordingly I can suggest dosage modification.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi doctor,
Thanks for your answer. I have some more questions.
1. I saw a drop namely Otrivin saline drops. Can I take that instead of normal otrivin or is there any other brand?
2. What's the name of the test for aneamia profile?
3. What's the name of the test for thalassemia screening?
4. I am not taking any medication at all for TSH high levels. Kindly suggest some.
5. When buying Vitamin C tablets, should I ask for any brand name to the chemist or just vitamin C tablets?
Thank you again.
Thanks for your answer. I have some more questions.
1. I saw a drop namely Otrivin saline drops. Can I take that instead of normal otrivin or is there any other brand?
2. What's the name of the test for aneamia profile?
3. What's the name of the test for thalassemia screening?
4. I am not taking any medication at all for TSH high levels. Kindly suggest some.
5. When buying Vitamin C tablets, should I ask for any brand name to the chemist or just vitamin C tablets?
Thank you again.
Brief Answer:
AS BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
1. You have to take plain saline nasal drops, not Otrivin drops. The brand name is Salin nasal drops.
2. FOr the laboratory people, it is enough to inform - Complete anemia panel.
It includes the following tests, as shown in the link attached by me -
http://www.anylabtestnow.com/tests/anemia-panel/
3. for thalassemia screening, the test is measurement of HbA2 levels.
( Hemoglobin electrophoresis )
4. Please start 25 micrograms Thyronorm daily. Tablets should be stored away from direct sunlight and taken daily half an hour before any food / drink in the morning.
Repeat TSH after 4 weeks to check effect and adjust dosage.
5. Celin / Limcee tablets.
Take care.
AS BELOW
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
1. You have to take plain saline nasal drops, not Otrivin drops. The brand name is Salin nasal drops.
2. FOr the laboratory people, it is enough to inform - Complete anemia panel.
It includes the following tests, as shown in the link attached by me -
http://www.anylabtestnow.com/tests/anemia-panel/
3. for thalassemia screening, the test is measurement of HbA2 levels.
( Hemoglobin electrophoresis )
4. Please start 25 micrograms Thyronorm daily. Tablets should be stored away from direct sunlight and taken daily half an hour before any food / drink in the morning.
Repeat TSH after 4 weeks to check effect and adjust dosage.
5. Celin / Limcee tablets.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Doctor, as per your advise I did the tests. The reports are attached. Kindly have a look and guide me for the next course of action. I am taking Limcee and Thyronorm along with Supracal and Ferium XT as per your advise. One more thing I have gained only 500 grams after getting pregnant. Is this a matter of worry?
Hi Doctor, as per your advise I did the tests. The reports are mentioned below. Kindly have a look and guide me for the next course of action. What needs to be done regarding the thalassemia report? I am taking Limcee and Thyronorm along with Supracal and Ferium XT as per your advise. One more thing I have gained only 500 grams after getting pregnant. Is this a matter of worry?
Haemoglobin HPLC/Electrophoresis
1. Hb F: 3.30%
2. Peak 2: 3.50%
3. Hb adult: 83.80%
4. Hb A2: 4.10%
5. Others (Non specific): 4.90%
6. Hb: 8.50g/dL
7. RBC count: 4.34mill/mm3
8. Packed cell volume/PCV: 29.50%
9. MCV: 68.10fL
10. MCH: 19.50pg
11. RDW: 19.50%
Suggestive interpretation by doctor: beta thalassemia minor
The following tests were done in a different lab- Anaemia panel
Serum
1. Iron: 187.3 ug/dL
Complete Blood count
Blood
1. Total Leucocyte count: 14,300 cells/Cmm
2. Differential leucocyte count: Polymorphs- 66
Lymphocytes- 22
Monocytes- 5
Eosinophils- 7
3. Hb: 8.8
4. ESR: 60
5. PCV/HCT: 27.9
6. MCV: 65
7. MCH: 20.5
8. MCHC: 31.5
9. Total RBC count: 4.29
10. Platelet count: 1.86
Blood
1. Reticulocyte: 1.4
Serum
1. Folic Acid: 12.1
2. TIBC: 309.6
3. Ferritin: 95.0
4. Vitamin B12: 367
Hi Doctor, as per your advise I did the tests. The reports are mentioned below. Kindly have a look and guide me for the next course of action. What needs to be done regarding the thalassemia report? I am taking Limcee and Thyronorm along with Supracal and Ferium XT as per your advise. One more thing I have gained only 500 grams after getting pregnant. Is this a matter of worry?
Haemoglobin HPLC/Electrophoresis
1. Hb F: 3.30%
2. Peak 2: 3.50%
3. Hb adult: 83.80%
4. Hb A2: 4.10%
5. Others (Non specific): 4.90%
6. Hb: 8.50g/dL
7. RBC count: 4.34mill/mm3
8. Packed cell volume/PCV: 29.50%
9. MCV: 68.10fL
10. MCH: 19.50pg
11. RDW: 19.50%
Suggestive interpretation by doctor: beta thalassemia minor
The following tests were done in a different lab- Anaemia panel
Serum
1. Iron: 187.3 ug/dL
Complete Blood count
Blood
1. Total Leucocyte count: 14,300 cells/Cmm
2. Differential leucocyte count: Polymorphs- 66
Lymphocytes- 22
Monocytes- 5
Eosinophils- 7
3. Hb: 8.8
4. ESR: 60
5. PCV/HCT: 27.9
6. MCV: 65
7. MCH: 20.5
8. MCHC: 31.5
9. Total RBC count: 4.29
10. Platelet count: 1.86
Blood
1. Reticulocyte: 1.4
Serum
1. Folic Acid: 12.1
2. TIBC: 309.6
3. Ferritin: 95.0
4. Vitamin B12: 367
Brief Answer:
AS BELOW
Detailed Answer:
HI again.
You are having Thalassemia trait as per the reports.
Get your husband's thalassemia screening also done.
If he is normal, the baby should still be tested as he can inherit the trait from you.
That is the reason for low hemoglobin.
Take A to Z capsule once daily in addition to iron supplements.
Rest of the reports are fine.
Take care.
AS BELOW
Detailed Answer:
HI again.
You are having Thalassemia trait as per the reports.
Get your husband's thalassemia screening also done.
If he is normal, the baby should still be tested as he can inherit the trait from you.
That is the reason for low hemoglobin.
Take A to Z capsule once daily in addition to iron supplements.
Rest of the reports are fine.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi doctor, thanks for your reply. I have some queries. Kindly have a look.
1. When the baby needs to be tested- before or after birth, at what age? And what is the name of the test. Kindly mention how the sample will be collected.
2. I took A to Z capsules many years back. But it led to sever constipation. Is there any alternative medicine to this?
3. A to Z are after meal or before meal?
One more thing I have gained only 500 grams after getting pregnant. Is this a matter of worry?
Thanks again.
1. When the baby needs to be tested- before or after birth, at what age? And what is the name of the test. Kindly mention how the sample will be collected.
2. I took A to Z capsules many years back. But it led to sever constipation. Is there any alternative medicine to this?
3. A to Z are after meal or before meal?
One more thing I have gained only 500 grams after getting pregnant. Is this a matter of worry?
Thanks again.
Brief Answer:
AS BELOW
Detailed Answer:
1. The baby would be tested after birth, within the first month. The test is the same. Sample will be collected just as yours was collected.
2. Alternatives - ask the pharmacy for any replacement. Centrum 365, Biovea, Bevon syrup etc.
3. A to Z anytime, before or after meals.
4. Weight gain during pregnancy is variable, as long as the baby 's growth on scanning is fine, dont worry. Most women lose weight in the first trimester, and start gaining only as the second trimester begins, so you have a long way to go in terms of weight gain.
Take care.
AS BELOW
Detailed Answer:
1. The baby would be tested after birth, within the first month. The test is the same. Sample will be collected just as yours was collected.
2. Alternatives - ask the pharmacy for any replacement. Centrum 365, Biovea, Bevon syrup etc.
3. A to Z anytime, before or after meals.
4. Weight gain during pregnancy is variable, as long as the baby 's growth on scanning is fine, dont worry. Most women lose weight in the first trimester, and start gaining only as the second trimester begins, so you have a long way to go in terms of weight gain.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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