Here’s a List of Medications You Can Take While Pregnant

pills and prescription bottle

Prenatal care ensures better health for mom and baby. While most pregnant women should minimize taking medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, it may be necessary for the mother’s health and comfort to take certain types. This list includes common medicine that is safe for consumption while pregnant. Please call our medical obstetrics and gynecology office for questions about specific medications.

Cold And Flu

Read the labels of all over-the-counter cold and flu medications thoroughly. Do not take medicine with alcohol, sugar, caffeine or aspirin. Avoid taking cold or flu medication for more than seven days — if your symptoms persist, please schedule an appointment with your general physician. These brand medications may typically be taken while pregnant:

  • Benadryl (tablet, capsule, and liquid form), Benadryl Plus
  • Claritin
  • Robitussin DM
  • Sudafed (tablet and liquid form), Sudafed Plus, Sudafed 12 Hour
  • Throat lozenges
  • Tylenol Cold and Sinus; any Tylenol product

Constipation

Constipation is common during pregnancy due to the slowing of the gastrointestinal system. Be sure to drink plenty of water — more than 64 ounces per day for most healthy women — for hydration and softer stools. Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables and fiber to help naturally improve your bowel movements. For immediate relief, these medications are typically safe for use while pregnant:

  • Colace 100mg (one, twice daily)
  • Miralax
  • Metamucil

Diarrhea

Loose stools are also common during pregnancy as your hormones change. A simple diet of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (BRAT) may help. These medications may be taken for no more than 48 hours by most pregnant women:

  • Immodium AD (use no longer than 48 hours and no more than four caplets or eight teaspoons in a 24-hour period)
  • Kaopectate

If you have persistent diarrhea, please call our office.

Hemorrhoids

Soaking in a warm bath or a sitz bath may bring natural relief for hemorrhoids. The over-the-counter medication you may use includes:

  • Preparation H
  • Tucks

General Aches And Pain

Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol or generic acetaminophen are all typically safe for pregnant women when you follow the dosage guidelines on the package.

Heartburn

Heartburn is common for pregnant women. If you have been using Tagament, Pepcid or Zantac to treat heartburn, consult your physician before taking these while pregnant. These over-the-counter medications may be safe for most pregnant women:

  • Maalox
  • Mylanta, Mylanta II
  • Rolaids
  • Tums

Nausea

Some women experience nausea during the first trimester or throughout their pregnancy. Natural remedies include ginger root, eating smaller but more frequent meals and drinking ginger ale & sprite. These medications may help:

  • Vitamin B6 (50mg twice daily)
  • Unisom
  • Zofran/Phenergan (may be prescribed only if nothing else works)

Breastfeeding

If you are breastfeeding or planning to, these medications may not be taken safely. Please consult with us, or your primary care physician, for alternatives.

  • Benadryl: Decreases supply
  • Some Antibiotics
  • Doxorubicin
  • Ergotamine
  • Lithium
  • Methotrexate

Contact Us Today For OB/GYN Care

Dr. Gibson is taking new patients in the Covington area. Contact our office online or by calling 985-898-5990 to make your first appointment.