Using Medication Wisely

Medications cross the placenta and enter the baby’s bloodstream. In some cases, a medication could cause birth defects, addiction or other problems for the baby. However, some medicines are safe to take during pregnancy, and the risks of taking others may be outweighed by the effects of not taking them. For instance, certain diseases are more harmful to a fetus than the drugs used to treat them.

How do you know which medications are safe and which are not? Follow these guidelines to stay on the right track:

  • Don’t stop taking a medication prescribed for you without talking to your doctor about it first.
  • Tell anyone who prescribes medications for you that you are pregnant. This includes any doctors that you see for non-pregnancy problems, your dentist or your mental health provider.
  • Be sure that your obstetrician knows about any medical problems you may have. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take and if you have any drug allergies. If a medication you are taking poses a risk, your health care provider may recommend switching to a safer drug while you are pregnant.
  • Prescription medications can be harmful if they are abused. Women who abuse prescription drugs risk overdose and addiction.
  • Over-the-counter medicines, including herbal medications and vitamin supplements, can cause problems during pregnancy, too. Pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen may be harmful to a fetus. Check with your health care provider before taking any over-the-counter drugs, including pain relievers, laxatives, cold or allergy remedies and skin treatments.

Safe Over-the-Counter Medicines

  • Headache, fever: Tylenol (Acetaminophen), extra strength is okay
  • Cough: Robitussin DM (Guaifenesin)
  • Sore Throat: Ricola, Halls, Chloraseptic spray
  • Congestion: Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine or Phenylephrine), avoid in first trimester if possible
  • Allergies: Benadryl (Diphenhydramine), Zyrtec (Cetirizine), Allegra (Fexofenadine)
  • Diarrhea: Kaopectate/Imodium, Pepto-Bismol
  • Constipation: Colace (Docusate Sodium), Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia
  • Yeast Infection: Monistat, Gynelotrimin, or other over-the-counter vaginal preparations
  • Heartburn: Tums, Mylanta, Maalox, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Tagamet, Zantac (Ranitidine), Pepcid (Famotidine)
  • Nausea: Vitamin B6 (50 mg, 3 times a day), Unisom, Ginger, Seabands

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