Yes, most cough drops are considered safe to use during pregnancy. Both mentholated and non-mentholated varieties are listed as acceptable cold remedies by major medical institutions, and short-term use of common over-the-counter cold products has not been linked to increased risk during pregnancy. That said, not all cough drops are created equal, and a few ingredients deserve a closer look before you grab a bag off the shelf.
What Makes Most Cough Drops Safe
The active ingredient in the majority of cough drops is menthol, which works by cooling and slightly numbing the throat to suppress the cough reflex. Nebraska Medicine includes both mentholated and non-mentholated cough drops on its list of safe cold and flu medications during pregnancy. No formal studies have assessed menthol’s effects on pregnancy specifically, but it has a long track record of use without reported problems at normal doses.
A review published in Canadian Family Physician looked at the evidence behind common over-the-counter cold ingredients and concluded that short-term use carries no increased risk. The key phrase there is “short-term.” Using cough drops for a few days while you ride out a cold is different from going through multiple bags over several weeks. Stick to the dosage on the package and treat them like any other medication, not candy.
Ingredients to Watch For
Not every cough drop is just menthol and sugar. Some contain additional active ingredients or herbal blends that are worth checking before you buy.
- Herbal blends: Brands like Ricola include herbs such as sage, thyme, horehound, and hyssop. These herbs don’t carry specific pregnancy warnings, but their effects during pregnancy haven’t been well studied either. The product labeling on herbal cough drops typically advises asking a health professional before use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Benzocaine: Some medicated throat lozenges use benzocaine as a numbing agent. The FDA has issued warnings about benzocaine’s ability to cause methemoglobinemia, a condition that reduces the oxygen your blood can carry. While the strongest warnings apply to young children, it’s a good reason to opt for a simpler menthol-based drop instead.
- Cough suppressants or other drugs: Some lozenges contain dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) or other active ingredients typically found in cold medicines. Dextromethorphan is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but if you’re already taking a separate cough or cold medication, doubling up could push you past the recommended dose without realizing it. Always read the full ingredient list.
Cough Drops and Gestational Diabetes
Standard cough drops are essentially small hard candies with medicine added. They contain cane sugar, corn syrup, or both. If you pop one or two, this probably won’t move the needle on your blood sugar. But if you’re using them frequently throughout the day, especially if you have gestational diabetes or are struggling to keep your glucose levels stable, the sugar adds up.
Sugar-free cough drops solve one problem but can create another. Many use sugar alcohols like xylitol or sorbitol as sweeteners. In large quantities, these can cause diarrhea and bloating. Some sugar-free varieties also contain aspartame, which is another ingredient worth running by your provider if you have concerns. A reasonable middle ground: use the fewest drops that actually help your symptoms, and choose sugar-free if your provider has you watching your glucose closely.
Non-Medicated Ways to Ease a Cough
If you’d rather skip the cough drops entirely, or you want to use them less often, several home remedies can help. Kaiser Permanente recommends rest, drinking plenty of warm liquids, and using a humidifier or vaporizer to ease nasal congestion and soothe irritated airways. A hot shower works too. Warm water with honey and lemon is a time-tested throat soother, and honey has mild antimicrobial properties on its own.
Gargling with warm salt water can reduce throat irritation and is completely safe at any stage of pregnancy. These approaches won’t cure a cold, but they can take the edge off enough that you don’t need to reach for a cough drop every hour.
Signs That Need More Than a Cough Drop
A typical cold during pregnancy is uncomfortable but not dangerous. It becomes a different situation if you develop a fever over 100.4°F, which warrants a call to your provider. The same goes for shortness of breath where you can’t take a full breath, chest pain, a headache that won’t respond to acetaminophen, or a noticeable decrease in your baby’s movement. Severe nausea and vomiting beyond normal morning sickness, sudden swelling in your hands or feet, or changes in your vision also belong on the “call now” list.
A lingering cough that lasts more than a week or two, or one that produces colored mucus, could signal something beyond a simple cold. In those cases, your provider can figure out whether you need something stronger than what’s available over the counter.