Medications You can Take During Pregnancy

Although it is best not to take any medications during your pregnancy, there may be times when medications are necessary for the relief of certain common conditions. The following is a list of "over-the-counter" medications that are considered relatively safe for use in pregnancy. TAKE ALL MEDICATIONS AS DIRECTED AND DO NOT EXCEED MAXIMUM DAILY DOSES. If the condition for which you are taking the medication does not improve within one or two days, call the office.

Acne

Benzoyl Peroxide, Clindamycin, Topical Erythromycin
Avoid: Accutane, Retin-A, Tetracycline, Minocycline

Antibiotics

Ceclor, Cephalosporins, E-mycins, Keflex, Macrobid/Macrodantin, Metronidazole, Penicillin, Zithromax
Avoid: Cipro, Tetracycline, Minocycline, Levaquin

Colds/Allergies

Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Chlor-Trimeton, Drixoral-Non-Drowsy, Flonase, Mucinex (guaifenesin), Tylenol Cold & Sinus*, Vicks Vapor Rub
*AVOID if problems with blood pressure
Avoid: Sudafed/Sudafed-12 Hour* Sudafed PE Pseudoephedrine* Airborne PE, Drixoral, Nyquil, Dayquil Anything with a decongestant (pseudoephedrine)

Constipation

Colace, Miralax, Senokot, Fibercon, Metamucil, Dulcolax Suppository, Fiber Pills

Cough

Mucinex, Cough Drops, Phenergan w/Codeine if prescribed, Robitussin (plain & DM), Tessalon Perles 

Crab/Lice

RID
Avoid: Kwell

Diarrhea

Imodium

Gas

Gas-X, Mylicon, Phazyme

Headaches/Fever

Acetaminophen, Cold Compress, Magnesium, Tylenol (regular or extra strength) 

Heartburn

Aciphex, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepcid, Milk of Magnesia, Pepcid Complete, Prevacid, Prilosec OTC, Rolaids, Zantac, Tums (limit 4/day)
(Avoid lying down for at least 1 hour after meals)
Avoid: Pepto Bismol

Hemorrhoids

Anusol/Anusol H.C., RX: Analpram 2.5%, Hydrocortisone OTC, Preparation H, Tucks, Vaseline lotion applied to tissue

Herpes

Acyclovir, Famvir, Valtrex

Leg Cramps

Magnesium Supplements

Nasal Spray

Flonase, Saline Nasal Spray
Avoid: Afrin

Nausea

Vitamin B6 25 mg 3 times daily, Unisom 1/2 or 1/4 tablet at bedtime, Vitamin B6 and Unisom at bedtime, Ginger Root 250 mg 4 times daily, Dramamine, Emetrol, High complex carbs@ bedtime, Sea Bands – Acupressure, Pepcid

Pain

Tylenol, Lortab**, Percocet**, Vicodin**
**Narcotic medications should only be used when prescribed for a legitimate medical problem by a doctor for a short period of time.
Avoid: Motrin, ibuprofen, aspirin*, Aleve, Advil, any other NSAIDs
*Low dose aspirin is often used to decrease risk of preeclampsia and may be prescribed by your doctor but avoid full-strength aspirin

Pinworms

Reese's Pinworm Medicine

Prenatal Vitamins

Any over the counter prenatal vitamins with DHA (e.g. Enfamom Prenatal)

Rash

Benadryl, 1% Hydrocortisone Cream

Sleep Aids

Ambien, Benadryl, Chamomile Tea, Unisom, Tylenol PM, Warm milk

Throat

Cepacol, Cepastat, Salt Water Gargle w/warm water, Throat Lozenges

Tooth Pain

Orajel

Yeast Infection

Diflucan, Gyne-Lotrimin, Monistat-3, Terazol-3