Your obstetrician may often prescribe Doxinate during pregnancy to provide symptomatic relief from severe nausea and vomiting. Morning sickness, also known as nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP), is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms caused by hormonal changes in your body. It can range from mild to severe and can happen at any time of day or night, despite its name. This post discusses the significance of Doxinate tablets during pregnancy, their dosing, and possible side effects.
What Is Doxinate?
Doxinate (Doxinate G) is a medicine used to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It is a combination of doxylamine succinate (antihistamine/antiemetic) and pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6). This medicine is available in the form of capsules and tablets. The Doxinate OD tablets and Doxinate plus tablets (with the composition doxylamine, vitamin B6/pyridoxine, and folic acid) are prescribed to prevent morning sickness from worsening to hyperemesis gravidarum, which is severe nausea resulting in weight loss and dehydration.
Is Doxinate Safe For Pregnant Women?
Doxinate falls under the pregnancy drug category A (1), which is safe to administer during all the trimesters of pregnancy. The recommended dose of Doxinate should be taken for two to three days to get an optimal result.
How To Take Doxinate During Pregnancy?
The recommended dose is two tablets a day initially, at bedtime. If the condition does not get under control, then the dosage is four tablets a day – one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and two at bedtime. If you feel uneasy even after taking the drug, then consult your doctor.
When Should You Start And Stop Using Doxinate During Pregnancy?
Usually, morning sickness starts between the 4th and 9th week of pregnancy, and peaks between the 7th and 12th week (2). If the condition is severe, you can take Doxinate early on, as prescribed by the doctor. However, ensure that you complete the entire course of the medicine and do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor. Depending on your health and the progression of pregnancy, the doctor will decide whether or not you should continue with the medicine. If you need to stop the medication, the doctor will gradually decrease the dosage to prevent relapse of morning sickness.
What Are The Side Effects of Doxinate?
The side effects of Doxinate are usually minimal. They include (1):
Dizziness Drowsiness Dry mouth A headache Hypersensitivity
In case of any pre-existing health conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, glaucoma, or impairment of the airways in the lungs, this drug should be used with extreme caution.
Does Doxinate Have Any Effect On The Fetus?
There are no studies indicating its adverse effect on the fetus.
Can Doxinate Be Taken With Food?
Doxinate is taken on an empty stomach for optimal results. However, if taken with food, the time taken for the drug to act may get prolonged.
When Is Doxinate Forte Recommended During Pregnancy?
Doxinate Forte is recommended for nausea and vomiting associated with nutritional deficiencies. It is a combination of doxylamine (20mg), vitamin B6 (20mg), and folic acid (5mg).
Is It Safe To Take Doxinate While Breastfeeding?
There are no studies confirming that Doxinate can be used during breastfeeding. However, Doxinate during lactation is considered an off-label use. Doxylamine succinate, a component of Doxinate, is known for its sedative and anti-histamine properties and can enter the breast milk and affect the infant. Pyridoxine is another component of the drug, which is present in a very low dose and poses no risk to the infants.
