Pregnant women have a hard time during the cold season, because at this time literally every person gets a cold, and women who are preparing to become mothers are under special scrutiny. As a rule, finding a good cold and antiviral drug that is suitable during pregnancy is quite difficult, and many people ask the question “Do I need to take pills and will they harm the baby?” However, when the disease has already set in, it is impossible to remain inactive and ignore medications, since if you leave everything to chance, it is unknown how this approach will affect the health of the unborn baby.
However, the next question arises: “What should be treated?”, and in this case we have to look for a solution. Modern medicine does not stand still - scientists are constantly developing new, absolutely safe medications for the treatment of pregnant women. Thus, the drug Oscillococcinum was developed, which treating doctors recommend that their patients take without harm to the health of the unborn baby and themselves. It is especially noteworthy that the medicine can be used throughout the entire period of pregnancy: in the first, second and third trimesters
Description and properties of the drug (composition, release form)
The drug Oscillococcinum is produced by one of the largest companies producing homeopathic products in the world - Laboratory Boiron. The medicine was first introduced to the world in 1925 by the French scientist and physician Joseph Roy.
According to the scientist, the duck is the main carrier of various viral infections that provoke the development of influenza. If you extract an extract from the internal organs of a bird, diluting it to a minimum concentration, you will obtain a substance with a noticeable antiviral effect. That is why the French scientist resorted to Barbary duck, because the fundamental principle of homeopathy is the truth that like should be treated with like. Additional ingredients are lactose and sucrose.
Since then, the drug Oscillococcinum has been considered one of the safest drugs, which is acceptable in the treatment of colds and flu in the most at-risk groups of the population - pregnant women and children. The first, in turn, can take the drug at any stage of pregnancy, and this will not bring time to the fetus.
Like many other drugs in this group, the active ingredients of Oscillococcinum are found in granules. One dose consists of several granules, which are stored in a special tube. The drug contains several components that provide an effective effect, namely extracts from the heart and liver of the Barbary duck.
Despite the declared effectiveness of the drug, many attending physicians claim that Oscillococcinum is very diluted, and the concentration of the active substance is quite weak. Also, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of the medicine itself. Doctors also claim that most of the homeopathic remedy is sugar, so its effect does not exceed the placebo effect. At the same time, many mothers claim that they give the drug to their children, who still cannot convince themselves that the drug really helps. In their opinion, the granules simply work.
Analogues of Oscillococcinum
Today, Oscillococcinum during pregnancy is the most common safe and effective remedy for colds and flu. It is not a drug, and has a unique homeopathic approach to treating the disease. On the modern market of homeopathic medicines there are analogues of Oscillococcinum: Sulfur, Pulsatilla, Gelsemium, Ferrum phosphoricum, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Belladonna, Arnica, Apis, Allium cepa, Aconite, Bryonia, Camphora, Mercurius solubilis, Baptisia, Dulcamara, Rhus toxicodendron, Kali iodatum, Arsenicum album, Nux vomica. All of them are also homeopathic medicines. When replacing Oscillococcinum with any other analogue, you should definitely consult your doctor. Since each of them contains mainly natural ingredients that can cause allergic reactions in pregnant women. Any disease during pregnancy is undoubtedly undesirable. But it is during this period that the function of a woman’s immune system is at a minimum, which significantly increases the risk of disease. For the prevention and treatment of ARVI and influenza, it is recommended to take an absolutely safe and effective remedy, excluding antibiotics during pregnancy. Oscillococcinum is as harmless in the early stages of pregnancy as in its later stages. Studies have shown that every tested woman who drank Oscillococcinum throughout her pregnancy strengthened her immunity, thereby never falling ill with viral diseases during pregnancy. Some reviews of the drug reveal their distrust of it, since they believe that Oscillococcinum contains a minimal amount of potent substances, and it can only treat due to the placebo effect. But this is actually not the case. Like any homeopathic drug, it has a mild but effective response to viral and colds.
Use in the 1st trimester
The first trimester of pregnancy is the most important, because it is during this time that the fetus forms and becomes human. That is why the expectant mother needs to closely monitor her health and prevent the development of diseases. Even a small cold can play a cruel joke and have irreparable consequences. Considering that most drugs can have a strong teratogenic effect on the cells of a living organism, the fetus is in great danger. If illegal medications are taken during pregnancy, the baby may develop a variety of birth defects.
Many attending physicians advise taking Oscillococcinum in the first trimester of pregnancy, since at this time it will not harm the unborn baby. At the same time, there is no need to do home treatment and you should contact a specialist, since it is difficult to find out on your own how the fetus and the mother’s body will react to all the components that are present in the drug.
Use of Oscillococcinum during pregnancy
Throughout pregnancy, the activity of the female body undergoes some physiological changes. The main thing worth noting is the systematic decrease in the immune response to potentially dangerous external factors. There is nothing surprising here - when a woman becomes pregnant, her immunity weakens so that the adult body does not perceive the growth and development of new life cells as a process that needs to be blocked and destroyed. At the same time, the expectant mother becomes an easy target for various pathogens, infectious and viral diseases. And the biggest problem lies in the inability to combine pregnancy and treatment with serious antiviral drugs.
The first 12 weeks of the “interesting” situation are considered the most crucial - the embryo becomes a person! This is why it is so important for the expectant mother to stay healthy during this time. Even the slightest interference with the skillful work of natural forces can have irreparable consequences. And if you consider that most medications, under certain circumstances, can have a strong teratogenic effect on the cells of a living organism, the fetus is in great danger. Under the influence of drugs prohibited during pregnancy, the child may develop a variety of birth defects.
But, unfortunately, no one is immune from colds. If the expectant mother gets sick, you need to act immediately, since delay can result in a serious complication of the pregnant woman’s condition. For example, influenza provokes spontaneous abortion in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Complications, as a rule, appear 10 to 14 days after a cold that was not treated or treated incorrectly. And if a pregnant woman still has the flu, her baby increases the risk of developing pathologies of the nervous system. If even minor cold symptoms appear, the expectant mother should immediately go to see a doctor. Only a specialist can prescribe an effective treatment regimen for a sick patient, taking into account her delicate situation.
Is it possible to have Oscillococcinum during pregnancy? Absolutely yes. The homeopathic medicine contains a minimal concentration of active ingredients and is therefore not contraindicated for expectant mothers. In addition, this medicine can be used not only to treat an existing cold, but also as a prophylactic to avoid getting sick. No matter how far along a pregnant woman feels unwell, she can be sure that a solution to this problem exists thanks to Oscillococcinum.
Application in 2nd semester
Pregnant girls are often overtaken by colds in the first and second trimesters. At the same time, it is prohibited to take almost all antiviral drugs in the initial stages of pregnancy. If the cold is not cured or not treated, then such neglect will entail serious consequences and complications for the fetus; cases of child loss have been recorded. In the second trimester, it is allowed to take the drug Oscillococcinum and is even recommended by a large number of specialists. But you must definitely consult a doctor and take it under his supervision to eliminate all sorts of risks.
Reviews from doctors
Experts' opinions about the effectiveness and safety of the drug are divided. And the attitude of many of them remains ambiguous. Some argue that an over-the-counter drug is nothing more than a placebo, in other words, a dummy that is not only unable to cure colds, but also cause harm to the patient, for example, by causing an allergic reaction. In their opinion, this is an ideal tool for raising tone and calming oneself.
Other experts are confident in the effectiveness of the drug. Its preventive use reduces the incidence of influenza and colds by half. Timely use helped reduce the manifestation of flu symptoms during the first day, and the complete disappearance of all symptoms was observed already on the 4th day after starting to take the medicine.
Is it worth taking Oscillococcinum for the flu, and whether it will help, watch the video:
Application in 3rd semester
During the third trimester, you can take Oscillococcinum not only to cure a cold, but also as a prophylaxis, to prevent the occurrence of all kinds of viral infections. According to numerous reviews from patients who took the drug during this period of pregnancy, Oscillococcinum strengthens weakened immunity and helps to quickly cope with emerging cold symptoms.
What is the drug?
The homeopathic remedy was developed back in the 20th century. Produced by a pharmaceutical company located in France. Oscillococcinum granules have a unique composition, which includes exclusively natural ingredients.
Among them:
- extract of organs such as the liver and heart of the Barbary duck or Anas Barbariae Hepatis et Cordis Extractum;
- lactose is a carbohydrate of the disaccharide group, found in milk and dairy products;
- sucrose (in everyday life simple white sugar) is a disaccharide from the group of oligosaccharides, consisting of 2 monosaccharides.
This composition accordingly affected the cost of the medicine. The price for it is very high. But it is justified, since the drug Oscillococcinum is very effective in treating colds and flu. By the way, it owes its appearance to a wild duck, which is able to withstand various viral infections.
Features of the dosage of the drug
Regardless of what trimester a pregnant woman falls ill, the dose of the drug taken remains the same: fifteen minutes before a meal or an hour after a meal, you must put the contents of the tube under the tongue and wait for it to dissolve. The frequency of taking the drug depends on the stage of development of the disease. If the infection has just begun to develop, doctors recommend that patients drink one tube of granules for one week. When the disease is already actively developing and has a pronounced form, the drug should be taken one tube in the morning and in the evening.
If the drug is taken for the purpose of prophylaxis of the body, in order to protect itself from all sorts of ailments, as a rule, it is taken once a week throughout the fall and winter, since this time of year is characterized by the largest number of viral infections and diseases.
Contraindications and side effects
Oscillococcinum is strictly prohibited for use by persons:
- having allergic reactions to the components of the drug;
- with congenital or acquired lactose deficiency;
- having a history of lactose intolerance;
- with carbohydrate malabsorption syndrome.
Usually the medication is well tolerated by patients. In rare cases, while taking it, allergic reactions such as angioedema, dermatitis or urticaria occur. Sometimes treatment with Oscillococcinum causes disorders in the digestive system - nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, flatulence.
In very rare cases, patients noted deterioration in the central nervous system while taking the drug. These include increased excitability, irritability, nervousness, memory loss, and deterioration in concentration. Rare side effects include abdominal pain, increased urination, and tachycardia.
Analogs
Unlike Oscillococcinum, analogues of the drug are designed for a longer course of treatment, and also differ in the form of manufacture and the active substances included in the composition. Basically, this drug is combined with analogues for its beneficial properties and effectiveness; among Oscillococcinum substitutes, Kagocel, Arbidol and Antigrippin-Anvi are distinguished. However, you can find other analogues, but this requires consultation with your doctor.
Oscillococcinum - instructions for use
People who have tried the drug claim that Oscillococcinum provides the maximum effect if taken in the first few hours after the onset of cold symptoms. The drug is in demand among pregnant women because it helps avoid long-term treatment of influenza. Instructions for use of Oscillococcinum indicate the relevance of taking the drug by pregnant women for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections in the autumn and winter periods, when the risk of contracting the virus greatly increases.
The manufacturer says that the earlier you start taking Oscillococcinum during pregnancy, the easier it will be to eliminate the disease. A homeopathic remedy has the following effect on an adult organism:
- normalizes body temperature;
- reduces the intensity of symptoms;
- shortens the duration of the disease;
- eliminates the state of malaise.
Reviews from pregnant women
Marina:
“I got sick during the second trimester at the twentieth week, I caught a common virus. In a panic, I went to the doctor, who prescribed the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum. Honestly, I doubted its effectiveness, since I don’t really trust homeopathy. Either it’s a placebo effect, or there really are some effective substances in the drug, but it worked quickly and after a couple of days everything went away. I took it strictly according to the instructions. I also liked that the course of treatment lasts a maximum of 3 days, unlike many other drugs.”
Tamara:
“I would not recommend taking Oscillococcinum, as I did not feel much effect. I took the drug in the tenth week, when the cold was just beginning to develop. I drank it all three days, and it seems to me that honey and lemons turned out to be much more effective for me than this remedy. Everyone talks about the placebo effect, I don’t know, but I am distrustful of homeopathy, which may be why this drug did not work on me. Besides, the price is kind of high; for that money it’s better to buy vitamins and fruits.”
Oscillococcinum
Among the large number of medicines there is Oscillococcinum; you can drink it during pregnancy.
This medicine belongs to the category of homeopathic medicines. Its composition, as the instructions say, includes the following ingredients:
- barbary duck heart extract or infusion;
- liver extract;
- auxiliary elements of the drug (lactose and sucrose).
This strange composition is explained by the ability of waterfowl to carry various forms of influenza. Therefore, the creator of the drug chose these components for his brainchild.
They have proven their antiviral power and are successfully used in Europe.
Thus, Oscillococcinum has an antiviral effect, is safe, since it does not contain chemicals and does not cause allergies.
Therefore, many doctors prescribe this remedy to women in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimesters.
Reviews
Anna, 25 years old
I decided to buy a homeopathic medicine for the flu when I was pregnant. The product turned out to be not cheap, but cost was not a priority - I wanted to find something safe for the baby. She began treatment after the first cold symptoms appeared. After a couple of days it didn’t get better, the condition worsened, so I switched to traditional medicine.
Nelya, 31 years old
The price of the medicine is relatively high, but this is the price to pay for its harmlessness. I drank pills both during and before pregnancy, and they quickly help me cope with viruses. I usually buy medicine in pharmacies, but you can order it in an online store and have it delivered to your home. Do not touch the balls with your hands, since the dragees are coated with the active ingredient.
Ekaterina, 29 years old
For me, 350-400 rubles for an effective medicine is not that expensive, and Oscillococcinum is harmless for pregnant women and this is its main advantage. If you search on the Internet what antiviral drugs can be used for pregnant women, you will not find anything except folk remedies. Dragees in tubes are one of the only safe medications against ARVI.
Features of application
In the first, second and third trimesters
No special features . Homeopathic medicines are indicated at any stage of pregnancy, and their dose is so small (the components of the granules are very highly diluted, which causes doctors to mistrust homeopathy) that the teratogenicity (harmfulness) of Oscillococcinum is excluded.
Provided that the expectant mother does not have, as noted in the earlier article, individual intolerance to individual components of the drug.
Use of the drug during pregnancy
This medicine may be prescribed during pregnancy under the following circumstances:
- during an epidemic of viral origin;
- for preventive purposes or for the treatment of influenza;
- for preventive purposes or for the treatment of colds, ARVI, which is accompanied by body aches;
If you use the drug correctly, you can shorten the duration of the disease, reduce the severity of symptoms, lower body temperature, and also improve the general condition of the body.
Due to the fact that the drug has not undergone special studies, it is not possible to claim 100% safety for women carrying a child. However, many medical workers react positively to treatment with Oscillococcinum, since according to reviews, it does not harm the fetus and does not disrupt the course of pregnancy.
Oscillococcinum at different stages of pregnancy
The manufacturer of the drug itself claims that the drug is safe to take in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy. No problems or complications can arise for both the expectant mother and the baby, because the tablets consist exclusively of natural substances.
During pregnancy, the immune system is weakened and viruses can easily infect the body. With the help of Oscillococcinum you can quickly overcome a cold and remove unpleasant symptoms.
However, women expecting a child are prohibited from self-medicating and being treated with the drug without permission. This is due to the fact that no one knows how the body of a woman or baby may react to the active substances of the drug.
Contraindications
The instructions contain information that the use of the medicine by pregnant women is allowed only according to a doctor’s indications: it is prohibited to take any homeopathic medicines uncontrolled, as this can stimulate the development of more serious pathologies. Despite the fact that in most cases, taking granules is well tolerated by patients, allergic reactions cannot be ruled out. If you notice any side effects after taking the medicine, you should stop treatment and consult a doctor.
The main contraindications of Oscillococcinum are:
- individual negative reaction to active substances (women who are allergic to animal protein should take the medication with caution);
- lactose or sucrose intolerance.
How dangerous (and is it dangerous?) is the drug for pregnant women?
Contraindications for use
Oscillococcinum is a very democratic remedy from the homeopathic spectrum and has no direct contraindications .
But pregnant women should consult a doctor (as in any case, if you decide to take medications), you need to know your individual characteristics in relation to the composition of the drug.
Oscillococcinum does not require a prescription to be prescribed at a pharmacy. In addition, it is advisable that in the first trimester you avoid any medicinal effects on the body, since it is in the first three months that all internal organ systems begin to form in your child.
Side effects
At the moment they have not been registered . There is also no information about an overdose of Oscillococcinum.
The only possible side effect resulting from the use of this drug is allergic reactions, since a woman’s body may individually not tolerate individual components of Oscillococcinum.
