There’s no doubt that along with the joys of pregnancy, women can and do experience uncomfortable side effects. If you’re feeling under the weather, you may be wondering if over-the-counter remedies are safe for you and your baby. In most cases, it’s best to avoid OTC (over the counter) medications particularly in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. While some medications are safe to use in limited quantities, other medicines are known to increase the chance of birth defects or other problems. Our Northeast Georgia Physicians Group OB/GYN providers have compiled this list of medications that are safe to take during pregnancy to help answer your questions.
If you have questions or are considering a medication that’s not listed below, please reach out to your doctor for additional safety information. You should also call your doctor if you have a fever 100.4 F or greater, or if symptoms persist or worsen. The obstetrics specialists at NGPG are here to help you weigh the risks and benefits of prescription and over-the-counter medications that are safe to take during pregnancy.
Safe Over the Counter Medication
- Claritin
- Zyrtec
- Benadryl
- Tums
- Rolaids
- Mylanta
- Tagamet, Pepcid, Prilosec, Prevacid, Gas-X
(If no relief from Tums or Rolaids)
- Tylenol (for Aches & Pains, limited to 2000 mg in 24 hrs)
- Chloraseptic/Cepacol Lozenges (for sore throat)
- Metamucil
- Psyllium Colace, Docusate
- Milk of Magnesia
Another recommendation is to eat a high-fiber diet and increase your water intake to relieve constipation.
- Robitussin (plain)
- Mucinex
- Instant Ocean Spray
- Flonase
- Nasonex
- Rhinocort
- Kaopectate
- Immodium
- BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, tea or toast)
It’s perfectly fine to see a dentist while you are pregnant but be sure to notify them, as they will need to use an abdominal shield if performing any x-rays on you. You can also have Novocaine® and certain antibiotics and pain medications.
- Mylanta
- Maalox
- Tums
- Rolaids
- Gas-X/Simethicone, Tagamet,
- Pepcid, Prilosec, Prevacid (If no relief from Tums or Rolaids)
- Tylenol (limited to 2000 mg in 24 hrs)
- Preparation H
- Anusol HC
- Tucks pads
- Sitz baths (with or without Epsom salts)
- Konsyl Easy Mix (daily to keep stools soft)
- Slow Fe
- Fergeson
- Feosal Bifera
- Irospan
Look for a supplement with a stool softener or add Colace or Docusate when taking iron
- Benadryl
- Unisom
- Tylenol PM (if you also have pain & limited to 2000 mg in 24 hrs)
- Chamomile Tea
- Caltrate
- Calcet
- Viactiv
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Epsom salt baths
- Vitamin B6 (25 mg 3 times daily)
- Unisom/Doxylamine (Take 1 at night)
- Eating small, frequent meals
- Sea bands (Wristband)
- Ginger (Chews, teas, lozenges)
- Teas (Ginger, peppermint, cinnamon)
- Cepacol lozenges
- Vicks lozenges or spray (Avoid anything with phenol)
- Warm saltwater gargle
Herbal Supplements & Vitamins
Some alternative therapies have been found to safely and effectively alleviate some of the uncomfortable side effects of pregnancy – but ‘natural’ doesn’t always mean these herbal supplements are safe. As with any over the counter medication, it’s important to talk with your doctor about every supplement or vitamin you take while pregnant.
Prenatal vitamins are also an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Multivitamins that include folic acid are safe and important before and during the first few weeks of pregnancy because they can help prevent some birth defects. Your NGPG doctor or midwife can advise you about which type of multivitamin with folic acid you should take. Medical providers sometimes prescribe extra folic acid or iron supplements, depending on your specific situation.
If you need help determining if a medication or supplement not on this list is safe to take during your pregnancy, reach out to our specialists at NGPG OB/GYN for advice.