Approved Medications
Although you should try to minimize medication during your pregnancy, sometimes it is necessary for your health and comfort to take some type of medication. This list includes medicines that are safe for consumption during pregnancy.
Cold/Flu
Always check over-the-counter cold medications for alcohol, sugar, caffeine, or aspirin. Medications should be taken as directed and for no longer than seven days. If symptoms persist, call our office.
- Actifed
- Allerest
- Allergy relief medicine (ARM)
- Benadryl (tablet, capsule, and liquid form), Benadryl Plus
- Chlor-Trimeton, Chlor-Trimeton LA
- Claritin
- Comtrex
- Robitussin DM
- Sine-Off (WITHOUT aspirin)
- Sinutab Extra Strength, Sinutab Maximum Strength (NOT Sinutab Allergy)
- Sudafed (tablet and liquid form), Sudafed Plus, Sudafed 12 Hour
- Throat lozenges
- Triaminic, Triaminic Cold, Triaminic Nite Lite, Triaminic PM, Triaminic 12 Hour
- Tylenol Sinus
Constipation
The following medications can be taken for constipation relief:
- Colace 50mg (one or two, twice daily)
- Fibercon
- Metamucil
Other helpful suggestions:
- Increase water intake to 8-10 eight-ounce glasses daily
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, and fiber
- Get adequate exercise; walking is a good exercise during pregnancy
If constipation persists, call our office for further instructions.
Diarrhea
The following medications can be taken for relief of diarrhea:
- Immodium AD (use no longer than 48 hours and no more than four caplets or 8 teaspoons in a 24-hour period)
- Kaopectate
You might also try the B.R.A.T. diet (banana, rice, applesauce, tea/toast). If diarrhea persists, call our office for further instructions.
Hemorrhoids
The following medications can be taken for relief of hemorrhoids:
- Anusol
- Preparation H
- Tucks
Other helpful suggestions:
- Soak in a warm bath
- Take a sitz bath
Aches/Pains
The following medications can be taken for pain relief:
- Datril
- Exprin (by Giant)
- Panadol
- Tylenol, Extra Strength Tylenol, or generic acetaminophen
Heartburn/Indigestion/Upset Stomach
The following over-the-counter medications can be taken for indigestion, heartburn, and upset stomach:
- Gaviscon
- Maalox
- Mylanta, Mylanta II
- Riopan
- Rolaids
- Tums
The following prescription medications may be used only on the advise of your physician:
- Pepcid
- Tagament
- Zantac
Nausea/Morning Sickness
The following medications can be taken for relief of nausea:
- Vitamin B6 (50mg twice daily)
- Emetrol (don’t use if diabetic)
Other helpful suggestions:
- Ginger Root (2 tablets, 2-4 times a day)
- Small frequent meals
- 8-10 eight-ounce glasses of water a day
Women who are taking the following drugs or medications should not breastfeed.
- Bromocriptine
- Cocaine
- Cyclophosphamide
- Cyclosporine
- Doxorubicin
- Ergotamine
- Lithium
- Methotrexate
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Phenindione