This chart lists over-the-counter (OTC) medicines considered low risk for pregnant women when taken for the occasional mild illness. It also mentions a few that are not safe. We've listed a few brand names as examples, but there are many more on the market.
Of course, nothing is 100 percent safe for all women, so it's a good idea to check with your doctor or midwife before taking any kind of medicine during pregnancy – even an over-the-counter product. Don't take more than the recommended dose and, if possible, avoid taking anything during your first trimester, when your developing baby is most vulnerable.
NOTE: If you have a question about the safety of any medication during pregnancy, visit the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Web site. There you'll find fact sheets on various drugs and exposures that can affect your baby as well as a list of teratogen information services that you can contact. A teratogen is anything in the environment – a chemical or substance like radiation, for example – that can cause a birth defect.)
| Problem | Safe to take |
| Heartburn, gas and bloating, upset stomach | Antacids for heartburn (Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Tums) Simethicone for gas pains (Gas-X, Maalox Anti-Gas, Mylanta Gas, Mylicon) |
| Cough or cold | Guaifenesin, an expectorant (Hytuss, Mucinex, Naldecon Senior EX, Robitussin) Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant (Benylin Adult, Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough, Scot-Tussin DM, Vicks 44 Cough Relief) Guaifenesin plus dextromethorphan (Benylin Expectorant, Robitussin DM, Vicks 44E) Cough drops Vicks VapoRub Not safe to take: Cold remedies that contain alcohol The decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, which can affect blood flow to the placenta |
| Pain relief, headache, and fever | Acetaminophen (Anacin Aspirin-Free, Tylenol) |
| Allergy relief | Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine (Chlor-Trimeton allergy tablets) Loratadine, an antihistamine (Alavert, Claritin, Tavist ND, Triaminic Allerchews) Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine (Banophen, Benadryl, Diphenhist, Genahist) |
| Constipation, hemorrhoids, and diarrhea | Psyllium (Konsyl-D, Metamucil, Modane Bulk, Perdiem) Polycarbophil (Equalactin, Fiber-Lax, FiberNorm, Konsyl-Fiber, Mitrolan) Methylcellulose (Citrucel, Unifiber) Other laxatives and stool softeners (Colace, Dulcolax, Maltsupex, milk of magnesia) Hemorrhoid creams (Anusol, Preparation H, Tucks) Loperamide, anti-diarrhea medication (Imodium, Kaopectate II, Maalox Anti-Diarrheal, Pepto Diarrhea Control) |
| Yeast infections and other fungal infections such as athlete's foot | Clotrimazole (Cruex, Gyne-Lotrimin 3, Lotrimin AF, Mycelex 7) Miconazole (Desenex, Femizol-M, Micatin, Monistat 3) Terbinafine (Lamisil AT) Tioconazole (Monistat 1, Vagistat 1) Butoconazole (Femstat 3, Mycelex 3) Butenafine (Lotrimin Ultra) Tolnaftate (Absorbine Athlete's Foot Cream, Absorbine Footcare, Genaspor, Tinactin) Undecylenic Acid and derivatives (Cruex, Desenex, Fungi Cure, Tinacide) Not safe to take: Certain antifungal products not listed here (Certain Cruex, Desenex, and Fungi Cure products may contain other antifungal agents not listed here that should not be used during pregnancy. Check labels carefully.) |
| Insomnia | Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Maximum Strength Unisom SleepGels, Nytol, Sominex) Doxylamine succinate (Unisom Nighttime Sleep-Aid) |
| Itching | Hydrocortisone (Cortaid, Lanacort) |
| Cuts and scrapes | Polysporin |
For headaches/migraines (which I unfortunately suffer from) Tylenol and a cup of regular coffee has been a great remedy. Normally I rely on advil, but ibuprofen is a big no-no in the 1st and 3rd trimester, so I've just been avoiding it all together.
ReplyDeleteStrangely enough, I haven't suffered from any of my normal seasonal allergies, so I haven't even had to worry about that. I've noticed though that a lot of my coworkers have had summer illnesses, but I've managed to avoid them all so far. I do plan on getting a flu shot when it's available though, I would recommend that you definitely get it too.
I eat tums regularly to get extra calcium into my diet. I have cavity prone teeth and one of the downsides of pregnancy is that our bodies will take what it needs for the baby 's growth from our body and our teeth and bones are a great source of calcium. I try to get my calcium from food sources, but having the tums on hand helps on the days when I don't feel like eating yogurt.
My father is a pharmacist, so I regularly go to him for advice on medicine (pregnant or not). If you even have any questions, feel free to ask me and I can pick his brain for you!
ps I drink one 5oz cup of full strength coffee every day and I'm fine and the baby is fine too. It helps so much to keep me regular (TMI sorry) that I can't imagine giving it up.
Hey just wanted to note - pseudoephedrine is fine after the first trimester. I needed a nasal decongestant and my doctor told me to make sure to get the Sudafed with pseudoephedrine (behind the counter).
ReplyDeleteOh, also, not sure if you've seen this site? Very helpful!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.safefetus.com/
Damn, can't edit my comments, but I should have sent you this link, too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.otispregnancy.org/files/pseudoephedrine.pdf
Hahahaha! No worries, this is great! Thank you!! I'll add them both to my bookmarks. I don't take a lot of meds, but now I'm afraid to take anything at all, lol.
ReplyDeleteFantastic, thank you! I'm sorry you get headaches/migraines so often, I'm very blessed not to. I'll keep this in mind, though, as it will likely come in handy. ;)
ReplyDeleteI honestly think that the prenatals have been keeping me so well. I usually get sick a few times a year, but since I started them, I haven't had anything. It's pretty awesome! Hopefully this keeps up through pregnancy, though I honestly fear when spring comes around... ah well.
Aha, also a good tip! I keep Tums at work, so I think I'll start popping them regularly. I have the same teeth issues, and if it means not downing Greek yogurt like it's going out of style, I'm all for it. LOL
Thanks!! I may take you up on that. ;)
Honestly, that's what's keeping me from giving up coffee, too. Not TMI at all, considering. ;) Otherwise, I get backed up like whoah, and that's already bad enough as it is. Bah!