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Taking Medicine During Pregnancy
While some medications are considered safe to take during pregnancy, the effects of other medications on your unborn baby are unknown. Therefore, it is very important to pay special attention to medications you take while you are pregnant, especially during the first trimester, a crucial time of development for your baby.
If you were taking prescription medications before you became pregnant, please ask your health care provider about the safety of continuing these medications as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. Your health care provider will weigh the benefit to you and the risk to your baby when making his or her recommendation about a particular medication. With some medications, the risk of not taking them may be more serious than the potential risk associated with taking them.
If you are prescribed any new medication, please inform your health care provider that you are pregnant. Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of the newly prescribed medication with your health care provider before taking the medication.
What Medications Are Safe to Take During Pregnancy?
Prenatal vitamins, now available without a prescription, are safe to take during pregnancy. Ask your health care provider about the safety of taking other vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements during pregnancy. Most herbal preparations and supplements have not been proven to be safe during pregnancy.
Generally, you should not take any over-the-counter medication unless it is necessary.
The following medications and home remedies have no known harmful effects during pregnancy when taken according to the package directions. If you want to know about the safety of any other medications not listed here, please contact your health care provider.
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Condition |
Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy* |
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Allergy |
Benadryl (diohenhydramine), Claritin |
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Cold and Flu |
Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Tylenol Cold Sudafed, Actifed, Dristan, Neosynephrine* Robitussin DM, Trind-DM, Vicks Cough Syrup, Romilar, Halls* *Do not take "SA" (sustained action) forms of these drugs or the "Multi-Symptom" forms of these drugs. |
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Constipation |
Metamucil |
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Diarrhea |
For 24 hours, only after 12 weeks of pregnancy: Parepectolin |
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First Aid Ointment |
J & J Bacitracin Neosporin Polysporin |
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Headache |
Tylenol (acetaminophen) |
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Heartburn |
Maalox |
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Hemorrhoids |
Preparation H Anusol Tucks Witch hazel |
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Nausea and Vomiting |
Vitamin B6 100 mg tablet Emetrex Ginger or candied ginger |
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Rashes |
Hydrocortisone cream or ointment Oatmeal bath (Aveeno) |
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Yeast Infection |
Monistat or Terazol Do not insert applicator too far |
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*Please Note: No drug can be considered 100% safe to use during pregnancy. |
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Can I Take Alternative Therapies During Pregnancy?
Many pregnant women believe "natural" products can be safely used to relieve nausea, backache, and other annoying symptoms of pregnancy, but many of these so called natural products have not been tested for their safety and effectiveness in non pregnant women, much less in pregnant women. Therefore, it is very important to check with your health care provider before taking any alternative therapies. He or she will not recommend a product or therapy until it is shown to be safe and effective.
WebMD Medical Reference
Health & Pregnancy Guide
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