What is Doxylamine/Pyridoxine?
Doxylamine/Pyridoxine is a tablet treatment for morning sickness. It contains two active ingredients — doxylamine is an antihistamine and pyridoxine is a type of vitamin B6.
This combination can ease symptoms like nausea and urges to vomit. Although not everyone experiences morning sickness during pregnancy, it’s very common and affects around 70-80% of women.[1]
How does Doxylamine/Pyridoxine work?
Doxylamine is an antihistamine, and works by blocking histamine, a chemical your body produces. Excessive histamine, or an intolerance to it, can make morning sickness worse. Doxylamine stops chemical messages reaching your brain’s vomiting centre, preventing nausea symptoms from starting.
Pyridoxine is a form of B6, which might work to reduce morning sickness symptoms if your levels of B6 are low.[2]
Who can take Doxylamine/Pyridoxine?
Doxylamine/Pyridoxine is prescribed for women during pregnancy to ease morning sickness.
Most women who experience morning sickness develop symptoms during the first three months of their pregnancy.[3] It can affect people differently, which means the severity of symptoms can vary. Extreme morning sickness, which is known as hyperemesis gravidarum, can lead to dehydration and sometimes weight loss if it causes frequent vomiting.
How safe is Doxylamine/Pyridoxine?
Doxylamine/Pyridoxine is the generic version of a medication called Diclegis, which has been studied extensively and given ‘Category A’ status from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Medications listed as Pregnancy Category A pose no risk to your fetus during the first trimester.[4]
What doses Doxylamine/Pyridoxine are available?
Doxylamine/Pyridoxine is available in 10mg/10mg strength tablets.
You usually take two tablets each evening before bed. This means they’re in your system while you’re asleep, and prevent morning sickness from starting the next morning.
Your physician can advise you about taking more Doxylamine/Pyridoxine if the standard dose isn’t improving your symptoms.
Does Doxylamine/Pyridoxine cause drowsiness?
Sleepiness is listed as a potential side effect of taking Doxylamine/Pyridoxine, but not everyone will experience it.
The drowsiness the tablets can cause will affect people differently. When you first start taking them, see how Doxylamine/Pyridoxine makes you feel before you attempt any tasks, such as driving, which require you to be alert.
When should I take Doxylamine/Pyridoxine?
Take your tablets before bed each evening. This gives them a chance to work overnight and prevent morning sickness when you wake up.
Doxylamine/Pyridoxine needs time to work in your system, which is why you shouldn’t take the tablets just as your symptoms start. Taking them at the same time each night can help you stick to a regular dosage routine, and ensures there’s a level of the medication in your body that’s sufficient to prevent symptoms the next morning.
