Taking medication, except for prenatal vitamins, is discouraged during pregnancy without first checking with your physician. However, there are times when certain over the counter (OTC) medication may be necessary to take:
To Relieve Pain
Pain relievers, such as Tylenol® and other forms of acetaminophen, are widely considered to be safe during pregnancy. They can be used throughout pregnancy for headaches, fever, and other aches and pains. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve, should be avoided.
For Cold Symptoms
“Cough & Cold” medicines and decongestants including Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), Robitussin (dextromethrophan) or Guaifenesin in their original formulas (avoid multi-symptom formulas) are safe to use while pregnant.
To Treat Allergy Symptoms
For allergies, antihistamines such as Benadryl (Diphenhydramine), Claritin, or Zyrtec, have been deemed safe during pregnancy.
Alternative Medicines
Herbal supplements and teas have become popularly used as alternative medicines. Since the effect of herbs in pregnancy is not well known, the use of them should be limited.
Herbs to Avoid – borage, dong quai, licorice, cohosh, mistletoe, myrrh, sage, turmeric, vitex, ephedra, fenugreek, and ginseng. These herbs affect hormone levels and can potentially induce uterine contractions.
