Is Lysine Safe During Pregnancy?
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
I have herpes and to avoid outbreaks, I take large doses of Lysine as soon as I start to feel an outbreak coming on. Also, if I feel a cold coming on, I take large doses of Echinacea to ward off the cold. Are these things safe while pregnant and how much does the dosage matter?
ANSWER
Lysine is not recommended for pregnancy. Acyclovir and valacyclovir are safe for pregnancy and should be prescribed by your midwife or doctor. Echinacea is probably safe, but as with any medication, should be minimized during pregnancy.
-- Cynthia, CNM
-
Printer-friendly version- Send to friend
- Login or register to post comments
Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
Cynthia hosts a monthly "Ask the midwife" chat as well as answers questions via our expert section.
