Medications During Pregnancy

Many women are under the misperception that no medications are safe during pregnancy. As a matter, of fact, in some instances, the exact opposite is true. Sometimes the risk of taking a medication may be outweighed by the benefit of taking it. In other words, certain medical problems like hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disease can be more dangerous if left untreated. If you have been prescribed a medication by a physician, it is important that you not stop taking that medication just because you find out you are pregnant. Instead, call the office to discuss this with us, as immediately stopping some medications can be dangerous to you and the baby.

Occasionally, we will prescribe a medication to you—for example, we often prescribe anti-nausea medications in the first trimester. We will not prescribe a medication to you that we are afraid will harm the baby. If you have any questions about how a medication could impact the pregnancy, please feel free to discuss this with your doctor.

Over-the-counter medications are also not always safe during pregnancy. Medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen may be harmful to a fetus. Below we have listed our recommendations for some common pregnancy complaints. As with anything, if your symptoms are persistent, or you have any concerns, please call the office.

Complaint	1^st Trimester	2^nd and 3^rd trimester
Allergies	Benadryl	Benadryl
Backache	Heating pad, only to back Extra strength Tylenol 1-2 every 6 hours as needed	Heating pad, only to back Extra strength Tylenol 1-2 every 6 hours as needed
Cold symptoms: cough, sore throat, runny nose	Warm salt-water gargle Cool mist humidifier Cough lozenges Saline nasal drops or spray Robitussin DM Extra strength Tylenol 1-2 every 6 hours as needed for pain	Warm salt-water gargle Cool mist humidifier Cough lozenges Saline nasal drops or spray Robitussin DM Sudafed (not for women with high blood pressure)
Constipation	Primarily, increase water intake Increase dietary fiber intake with fruits, veggies Metamucil, Citrucil Colace Senekot Miralax Milk of magnesia	Primarily, increase water intake Increase dietary fiber intake with fruits, veggies Metamucil, Citrucil Colace Senekot Miralax Milk of magnesia
Diarrhea (watery, not loose stools)	Call if doesn’t resolve in 24hrs	Kaopectate Immodium Only for 24 hours
First Aid Ointment	Bacitracin Neosporin	Bacitracin Neosporin
Headache	Extra strength Tylenol 1 every 6 hours as needed. Call if symptoms persist or are not alleviated with Tylenol.	If new headaches or other symptoms such as changes in vision, or new acute swelling, call the office. Mild headaches can use Extra strength Tylenol 1-2 every 6 hours as needed.
Heartburn	Maalox Mylanta TUMS Discuss with your physician if above not working (Zantac and Nexium are class B medications and you may need these)	Maalox Mylanta TUMS Zantac 150mg one nightly, then twice daily if doesn’t work Discuss with your physician if above not working (Zantac and Nexium are class B meds)
Hemorrhoids	Preparation H Anusol Tucks Pads Sitz baths If above not helpful, call the office. If thrombosed, may need surgery referral.	Preparation H Anusol Tucks Pads Sitz baths If above not helpful, call the office. If thrombosed, may need surgery referral.
Nausea	Ginger Vitamin B6 25mg tid Emetrol as directed on package Phenergan/Zofran per your physician	Ginger Vitamin B6 25mg tid Emetrol as directed on package Phenergan/Zofran per your physician
Rash	Hydrocortisone cream or ointment Caladryl lotion or cream Benadryl cream Aveeno oatmeal bath	Hydrocortisone cream or ointment Caladryl lotion or cream Benadryl cream Aveeno oatmeal bath
Yeast Infection	Monistat 7 (insert applicator ½ way)	Monistat 7 (insert applicator ½ way)

Medications During Pregnancy

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