Safe Medications in Pregnancy

At some time during your pregnancy you may become sick with a common illness such as a cold, headache, nausea, vomiting, or sore throat. There are safe over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications to make you more comfortable.

Topic: First Trimester

The following is a list of over-the-counter medications that are acceptable for you to take at any time during your pregnancy.

Please note that we may also recommend other medications than those listed here based on your individual situation. So, if you do not get relief from the medications listed below, please call to discuss your symptoms.

If you ever have a question about taking a medication, please call the office and speak with a nurse before taking it.

HEADACHE, BODY ACHES and PAINS

  • Acetaminophen, regular strength or extra strength
  • DO NOT TAKE Motrin, Advil, ibuprofen, Aleve, naproxen, or any product containing these drugs unless directed to do so by your provider.
  • DO NOT TAKE full-strength (325 mg) aspirin.  However, baby aspirin (81 mg) is safe in pregnancy and is recommended for patients to take it to prevent pre-eclampsia.

 NAUSEA, VOMITING, UPSET STOMACH, HEARTBURN

  • Maalox
  • Mylanta
  • Calcium carbonate tablets/chews (ex. Tums)
  • Acupressure wrist bands
  • Famotidine (ex. Pepcid)
  • Simethicone (ex. Gas-X)
  • Ginger capsules, teas

STUFFY NOSE, ALLERGIES

  • Diphenhydramine (ex. Benadryl)
  • Loratadine (ex. Claritin)
  • Cetirizine (ex. Zyrtec)
  • Saline (salt water) nasal spray

SORE THROAT

  • Throat lozenges, all types
  • Sore throat spray
  • Gargle with salt water

LEG CRAMPS

  • Calcium chews
  • Magnesium oxide
  • Milk or bananas at bedtime

HEMORRHOIDS

  • Preparation H
  • Witch hazel pads (ex. Tucks)
  • Warm sitz baths

DIARRHEA

(Please call the office if more than two doses are needed.)

  • Loperamide (ex. Imodium)

CONSTIPATION

  • Increase fluid intake
  • Prunes, pears, apples, or their juices
  • Psyllium fiber supplements (ex. Metamucil, Fibercon)
  • Docusate (ex. Colace)
  • Senna (ex. Senokot)
  • Polyethylene glycol laxatives (ex. Miralax)

INSOMNIA/TROUBLE SLEEPING

  • Doxylamine (ex. Unisom)
  • Diphenhydramine (ex. Benadryl)

COUGH and COLD

  • Diphenhydramine (ex. Benadryl)
  • Chlorphenirarmine (ex. Chlor-Trimetron)
  • Robitussin
  • Guaifenesin (ex. Mucinex)

Are there any medications I should not take?

DO NOT TAKE Motrin, Advil, ibuprofen, Aleve, naproxen or full-dose aspirin or any product containing these drugs unless directed to do so by your provider.

What about prescription medications?

Pregnant people may take most antibiotics, including penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, nitrofurantoin, and azithromycin. Others may be acceptable as well (these are only some of the more commonly used ones).

Always be sure to tell anyone prescribing you medication that you are pregnant.

And as always, if you are not sure what medications that can be taken while pregnant, even one prescribed by another doctor, please call the office.

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