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safe medication for pregnant women

by Skylar Hand MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Which Over-the-Counter Drugs Are Safe During Pregnancy?
ConditionSafe OTC Medications to Take During Pregnancy*
First Aid OintmentBacitracin J & J Neosporin
HeadacheTylenol (acetaminophen)
HeartburnGaviscon Maalox Mylanta Riopan Titralac TUMs
HemorrhoidsAnusol Preparation H Tucks Witch hazel
8 more rows
Jun 21, 2020

What is the best medicine for pregnant women?

Medications from almost every antihypertensive drug class have been prescribed during pregnancy, but the data on safety are incomplete and limited to a few medications. High blood pressure risks in pregnancy. Hypertension that occurs during pregnancy complicates up to 10% of all pregnancies.

What medicines should you avoid during pregnancy?

When migraine symptoms begin:

  • Drink water to avoid dehydration, especially if you have vomited
  • Rest in a quiet, dark room
  • Place a cool cloth on your head
  • Avoid smoking or drinking coffee or caffeinated drinks
  • Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages
  • Try to sleep

What medications are safe to take when pregnant?

  • Doctors consider Tylenol to be the safest over-the-counter pain medicine to take while pregnant.
  • Despite a paper urging caution, experts still recommend normal doses of Tylenol for pregnant people.
  • Other pain relievers such as ibuprofen and aspirin are not recommended during pregnancy.
  • Visit Insider's Health Reference library for more stories.

What drugs are safe to use during pregnancy?

This information includes the following:

  • The risks of taking the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • The evidence that has identified these risks
  • Information to help health care practitioners decide whether the drug should be used during pregnancy and to help them explain the risks and benefits of using the drug to the ...

Lists of Safe Medications During Pregnancy

9/30/2015 Page 8 Lists of Safe Medications During Pregnancy During pregnancy, it is common to experience heartburn, constipation, colds and other types of

Approved Pregnancy Medications List | All Women OB/GYN

Pregnancy Medications List. The medications listed below are the most common that are approved for use during pregnancy. If symptoms worsen or persist always consult your OB/GYN or Primary Care Physician for further assistance.

PREGNANCY MEDICATION LIST - Womancare Centers, PLC

MEDICATION NAME 1st Trimester 1-13 Weeks 2nd Trimester 14-27 Weeks 3rd Trimester 28-40 Weeks Lactation 0-6 mths Lactation 6-12 mths Lactation 12+ mths ANTACIDS / REFLUX (see also indigestion/gas)

APPROVED MEDICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY & BREASTFEEDING

Lindstrom OBGYN 2204 South Dobson Road, Suite 202 Mesa, Arizona 85202 • 480-633-6868 • fax 480-633-6996 Pregnancy Reference Guide APPROVED MEDICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY & BREASTFEEDING

Medications Safe for Use During Pregnancy

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Medications Safe for Use During Pregnancy - 2 - Disclaimer: This document contains information and/or instructional materials developed by

What is the best medicine to take after 1st trimester?

Pseudoephedrine ( [Sudafed®] after 1st trimester) Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)*. Saline nasal drops or spray. Warm salt/water gargle. *Note: Do not take the "SA" (Sustained Action) form of these drugs or the "Multi-Symptom" form of these drugs. Do not use Nyquil ® due to its high alcohol content. Type of Remedy: Diarrhea.

What are the risks of having a baby while pregnant?

When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol or uses drugs during her pregnancy, so does her baby.

Can you take prescription medications before you get pregnant?

If you were taking prescription medicines before you became pregnant, please ask your healthcare provider about the safety of continuing these medicines as soon as you find out that you are pregnant.

Can a baby drink alcohol while pregnant?

You may know some women who had very little alcohol during pregnancy and had babies with serious health conditions. Every pregnancy is different and drinking alcohol may hurt one baby more than another. Due to their small liver, babies cannot break down the alcohol as well as you can.

Can you take a medicine while pregnant?

Although some medicines are considered safe during pregnancy, the effects of other medicines on your unborn baby are unknown. Certain medicines can be most harmful to a developing baby when taken during the first three months of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

Is it safe to take illegal drugs while pregnant?

Although some medicines are considered safe during pregnancy, the effects of other medicines on your unborn baby are unknown. Illegal drugs are never okay, and you should check with your healthcare provider regarding your current prescriptions.

What to do if you have morning sickness during pregnancy?

Treatment isn’t always needed. Try home remedies, like eating small meals throughout the day or sipping ginger ale, before reaching for medications.

How to treat a pregnancy hemroid?

Safe treatment options include: Tucks pads or other witch hazel pads. Preparation H. Anusol. You may want to try other methods first: Soak the hemorrhoids by filling a tub with warm water. Don’t add soap or bubble bath.

Can you take prenatal vitamins while pregnant?

Discuss any supplements you take or plan to take during your pregnancy with your doctor. While prenatal vitamins are recommended to support levels of essential vitamins and minerals, like folate, other supplements may pose risks to your baby. They may also interact with medications you’re already taking.

Is it safe to take stool softeners while pregnant?

Stool softeners are generally considered safe during pregnancy. Options include Colace or Surfak. Laxatives, like Senokot, Dulcolax, or Milk of Magnesia, may also help, but speak with your doctor before trying any of these medications. Other treatment options for constipation include the following:

Is it safe to take OTC drugs while pregnant?

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) according to risk. Those falling in categories A, B, or C are generally considered “safe” for use during pregnancy.

Can you get yeast infections while pregnant?

Yeast infections are common in pregnancy. Still, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor for a proper diagnosis before treating it at home. Safe medications include: Home remedies and natural treatments are generally not recommended for yeast infections during pregnancy.

Can you take thyroid medication before pregnancy?

Before pregnancy, you may already be taking prescription medications for thyroid issues, high blood pressure, or other conditions. Speak with your doctor about continuing these medications, especially if you’re already pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near future.

How to help other pregnant women?

Help other pregnant women by sharing your experiences with medicines. You will not be asked to take any new medicines. You will provide information about your health and your baby's health. FDA does not run pregnancy registries, but it keeps a list of registries. See if there is a registry for your medicine.

Why do women take medicine?

Some women take medicines for health problems, like diabetes, morning sickness or high blood pressure that can start or get worse when a woman is pregnant. Others take medicines before they realize they are pregnant. Pregnancy can be an exciting time. However, this time can also make you feel uneasy if you are not sure how your medicines will ...

What is the FDA Office of Women's Health?

The FDA Office of Women's Health offers resources to help women and healthcare providers get informed about medicines and other products used during pregnancy. Use the Pregnancy Social Media Toolkit to inform pregnant women in your network about medication safety.

What is a pregnancy exposure registry?

Pregnancy Exposure Registries are research studies that get information from women who take prescription medicines or get a vaccine during pregnancy. Pregnancy registries help women and their doctors learn more about how medicines can be safely used during pregnancy.

How does folic acid help with pregnancy?

Folic acid helps to prevent birth defects of the baby’s brain or spine. Ask about how much folic acid you should take before you become pregnant and through the first part of your pregnancy. 2. Read the Label.

Is it safe to take pain medicine while pregnant?

Not all medicines are safe to take when you are pregnant. Even headache or pain medicine may not be safe during certain times in your pregnancy. Here are tips to help you learn more about how prescription and over-the-counter medicines might affect you and your baby. Ask Questions.

Do you take medicine while pregnant?

Are you pregnant and taking medicines? You are not alone . Many women need to take medicines when they are pregnant. There are about six million pregnancies in the U.S. each year, and 50% of pregnant women say that they take at least one medicine. Some women take medicines for health problems, like diabetes, morning sickness or high blood pressure that can start or get worse when a woman is pregnant. Others take medicines before they realize they are pregnant.

Travel

Travel is permitted up to the 35th week of pregnancy as long as your physician has not put you on any restrictions. Check with your individual air carrier or cruise line regarding traveling during pregnancy. When traveling, empty your bladder frequently and take frequent breaks to stretch your body.

Miscellaneous Concerns

No studies have been performed indicating that the following procedures have an adverse effect on fetal development:

When should I avoid decongestants?

It's best to avoid the decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, especially in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, since there have been some reports of related birth defects. Although the risk appears to be low, it could be higher if you're a smoker. After the first trimester, occasional use of these medications (for example, ...

Can pregnant women take cold medicine?

Some of the ingredients in cold medications are considered safe for pregnant women, but others should be avoided. Most cold medicines are multi-symptom remedies that contain two or more drugs (although you can also buy these drugs individually).

Does benzocaine cause birth defects?

Other good studies of women who took the drug during pregnancy have found that it doesn't raise the risk of birth defects in humans. The local anesthetic benzocaine is combined with dextromethorphan in one product to treat sore throats.

Can I take ibuprofen after the first trimester?

After the first trimester, occasional use of these medications (for example, once or twice daily for no more than a day or two) is probably safe. More frequent use, however, can reduce blood flow to the placenta. You'll also need to avoid the pain relievers aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, sodium salicylate, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory ...

Is it safe to take acetaminophen while pregnant?

It's considered safe to take during pregnancy as long as you take no more than the dose recommended on the label. Here are some cold medications to avoid:

Can you take doxylamine while pregnant?

Here are a few cold medications that are okay to take during pregnancy: The antihistamines chlorpheniramine, loratadine, doxylamine, brompheniramine, phenindamine, pheniramine, triprolidine, and diphenhydramine are considered low risk during pregnancy, but they can make you sleepy, especially doxylamine and diphenhydramine.

Is it safe to take meds during pregnancy?

Remember that no drug is 100 percent safe for all women, so it's a good idea to check with your doctor or midwife before taking any kind of medicine during pregnancy. Don't take more than the recommended dose and, if possible, avoid taking anything during your first trimester, when your developing baby is most vulnerable.

What is the most commonly abused prescription drug?

Opioids ( codeine, morphine, oxycodone) are a class of strong medicines that doctors can prescribe to treat pain. They’re also the most commonly abused prescription medications in the U.S. Some studies suggest that opioid use can increase your odds of having a baby with certain birth defects, such as a heart problem.

Can you stop taking opioids while pregnant?

If you already take opioids, your doctor may not want you to stop taking them once you’re pregnant, because a sudden stop could harm your health or your pregnancy. Instead they may want to reduce the amount of medicine you take at a gradual pace to prevent any withdrawal symptoms.

Can ibuprofen cause miscarriage?

Some studies have found that taking NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, celecoxib) during the early part of pregnancy may increase your risk of miscarriage. Research has also looked at the connection between NSAIDs and birth defects.

Can I take ibuprofen while pregnant?

You may have taken ibuprofen plenty of times in your adult life, but your doctor will likely ask you to take something else to treat fever, headaches, and muscle pain when you’re pregnant. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are sold over the counter and by prescription, but there are safer choices for pregnant women.

Can you take over the counter medicine while pregnant?

Such medicine may seem harmless enough, but the rules change when you’re carrying a baby. Some medicines aren’t safe to take when you’re pregnant -- even over-the-counter ones.

Can pregnant women take acetaminophen?

Most pregnant women can take acetaminophen if their doctor gives them the thumbs-up. It’s the most common pain reliever that doctors allow pregnant women to take. Some studies have found that about two-thirds of pregnant women in the U.S. take acetaminophen sometime during their nine-month stretch. Just steer clear of acetaminophen ...

Medicine Guidelines During Pregnancy

Illegal Drugs/Alcohol

  • Street drugs are not good for your health, but they are even worse for your unborn baby’s health, since drugs are passed to your baby while you are pregnant. Illegal drugs such as angel dust, cocaine, crack, heroin, LSD, marijuana, and speed increase the chance that your baby is born with many possible problems. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol...
See more on my.clevelandclinic.org

Prescription Medicine Guidelines

  • If you were taking prescription medicines before you became pregnant, please ask your healthcare provider about the safety of continuing these medicines as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. Your healthcare provider will weigh the benefit to you and the risk to your baby when making his or her recommendation about a particular medicine. With some medicines, th…
See more on my.clevelandclinic.org

Ask Questions.

  • Always talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist before you take any medicines, herbs, or vitamins.Don't stop taking your medicines until your healthcare provider says that it is OK. Use these questions: 1. Will I need to change my medicines if I want to get pregnant?Before you get pregnant, work with your healthcare provider to make a plan to help...
See more on fda.gov

Read The Label

  • Check the drug label and other information you get with your medicine to learn about the possible risks for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The labeling tells you what is known about how the drugs might affect pregnant women. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if you should take the medicine. Find information on a specific drug New Prescription Drug Informatio…
See more on fda.gov

Be Smart Online.

  • Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about the information you get online.Some websites say certain drugs are safe to take during pregnancy, but you should check with your healthcare provider first. Every woman's body is different. It may not be safe for you. 1. Do not trust that a product is safe just because it says "natural." 2. Check with your healthcare provider before you …
See more on fda.gov

Report Problems.

  • First, tell your healthcare provider about any problems you have with your medicine. Also, tell FDA about any serious problems you have after taking a medicine. 1. Call 1-800-FDA-1088 to get a reporting form sent to you by mail. 2. Report problems online. What to Report to FDA You should report problems like serious side effects, product quality problems and product use errors. Repo…
See more on fda.gov

Pregnancy Social Media Toolkit

  • The FDA Office of Women's Health offers resources to help women and healthcare providers get informed about medicines and other products used during pregnancy. Use the Pregnancy Social Media Toolkit to inform pregnant women in your network about medication safety. The toolkit includes resources for pregnant women and health professionals, including sample social medi…
See more on fda.gov

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