Safe Medications During Pregnancy

This is the 3rd part to my series on pregnancy safety information.  Click here to see general information on pregnancy.  Click here to find out more about common discomforts of pregnancy. 

found on www.babymed.com

Medications during pregnancy is a issue that is very difficult.  While there are always risks with everything you take, there are some medications that have a very high safety level.  There is always a potential for the baby to receive the medication when you take it, so it is important to avoid medications when possible.  But if you are completely miserable and need something to relieve discomforts, there are plenty of medications that are safe for your baby.  Many of these medications are commonly used during pregnancy.  Another thing to remember is as the pregnancy progresses, these medications have even less risk for the baby.  But always discuss medications with your health care provider.

Here are medications and other remedies that are considered safe to take during pregnancy.  I put them each under discomfort categories so that you can find one to take for different ailments.  I have included over-the-counter, prescription medications, and home remedies.

Common Cold:  
Sudafed (do not take if you have a history of high blood pressure and avoid Sudafed 12 hour)
Actafed
Robitussin, Robitussin DM, Robitussin PE 
Benadryl
Tylenol Sinus
Tavist D
Dimetapp (not Dimetapp Cold and Allergy)
Cholraseptic (for a sore throat)
Deconosal
Saline nasal drops or spray
Warm salt/water gargle

Heartburn/Indigestion
Tums
Maalox
Mylanta
Pepcid
Mylacon
Zantac
Tagamet
Axid
Gas X
Gaviscon

Allergies
Benadryl
Claritin
Zyrtec
*Ask your healthcare provider before taking these in the first trimester.

Asthma
Theodur
Provential
Alupent
Theophyiline

Constipation
Colace
Metamucil
Fibercon
Milk of Magnesia
Ducolax
Surfak

Pain/Headaches
Tylenol
Extra-strength Tylenol

Hemorroids
Anusol Suppositories
Preparation H cream
Preparation H ointment
Tucks pads 
  
Diarrhea
Kaopectate (liquid only)
Imodium

Nausea/Vomiting
Phenergran 
Emetrol
Vitamin B6
Ginger root 

First Aid 
Bacitracin
J&J First Aid Cream
Neosporin
Polysporin

Rashes
Benadryl cream
Caladryl lotion or cream
Hydrocortisone cream or ointment
Aveeno oatmeal bath 

Others
Monistat (for yeast infection)
Zithromax (for upper respiratory infections)
Macrobid (for urinary tract infection)
Gyne-lotrimin (for fungal/yeast infection) 
 
Thanks for stopping by!  My next post I will be sharing about my experience with pre-term labor and some guidelines for what to do if your experience it.