Safe Medications When Pregnant
Please note, the content on this page is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
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 have been deemed safe for consumption during pregnancy and have been reviewed by your provider at South Denver OB/GYN.
MEDICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY
Take your prenatal vitamin daily with food.
Avoid caffeine as much as possible, specifically no more than 2 cups of any caffeinated liquid per day.
Try not to take any medication during your first 13 weeks of pregnancy. If you must take something, the following medications are generally considered safe during pregnancy.
YEAST INFECTION:
Monistat 7, Mycelex 7, or Gyne-Lotrimin – 1 applicatorful in the vagina at bedtime. You can also spread some on the outside if needed. DO NOT USE THESE MEDICATIONS BEFORE 13 WEEKS.
CONGESTION OR ALLERGIES:
Actifed – 1 every 4-6 hours. Maximum of 4 capsules in 24 hours.
Sudafed 60 mg – 1 every 4-6 hours. Maximum of 4 capsules in 24 hours.
Take the above medications only in the daytime, otherwise they may keep you awake at night.
DO NOT USE THE ABOVE MEDICATIONS BEFORE 13 WEEKS
Benadryl – 1 every 4-6 hours. Maximum of 4 capsules in 24 hours. May make you sleepy, therefore you may want to take it at night.
Claritin or Claritin D – 1 tablet daily
Saline Nasal Spray is safe to use.
Rest and Drink plenty of fluids. Use a vaporizer.
COUGH:
Robitussin (plain, DM, or PE without alcohol) – 2 teaspoons every 4 hours
Cough Drops are safe to use in pregnancy.
SORE THROAT:
Sucrets – dissolve 1 lozenge slowly in your mouth every 2 hours.
Chloraseptic Spray or Lozenges (alcohol free) – spray as needed
FEVER, HEADACHE, AND GENERAL BODY ACHES:
Tylenol 325 mg or 500 mg – 1 or 2 every 6 to 8 hours. Maximum of 8 tablets in 8 hours. Call the office with a persistent fever over 100.4 degrees.
DIARRHEA:
Kaopectate – 2 tablespoons or 2 capsules after each loose stool. Maximum 7 tablespoons or 12 capsules in 12 hours.
Imodium AD – 4 teaspoons or 2 capsules after each loose stool; then 2 teaspoons or 1 capsule after each additional loose stool. Maximum of 8 teaspoons or 4 capsules in 24 hours.
Drink plenty of clear liquids.
CONSTIPATION:
Try eating prunes, bran, fresh fruit and vegetables or drinking prune juice before taking any medication.
Metamucil (orange flavor) – 1 rounded tablespoon in 8 oz. glass of juice or water, 1-3 times per day. You may need to use this 2-3 days before you see results. Drinking an extra glass of liquid after each dose is helpful.
Milk of Magnesia – 2-4 tablespoons followed by a full glass of liquid
Do not use for more than 72 hours without consulting your physician
Colace – 1 tablet twice daily
HEARTBURN:
Rolaids – Chew 1-2 tablets every hour. Maximum of 24 tablets in 24 hours.
Tums – Chew 1-2 tablets every hour. Maximum of 16 tablets in 24 hours.
Maalox - 2-4 teaspoons 4 times per day. Best taken 20 minutes to 1 hour after meals and at bedtime.
Zantac and Pepcid AC- Can be taken twice daily as needed
GAS PAINS:
Gas-X – Chew 1-2 tablets after meals and at bedtime or as needed. Maximum 6 in 24 hours.
Mylicon-80 – 1 tablet after meals and at bedtime or as needed. Maximum 6 in 24 hours.
HEMORRHOIDS:
Tucks – Use as a wipe following each bowel movement or as a compress applied to the area for up to 15 minutes.
Preparation H Ointment or Suppositories – Can be used 3-5 times per day, especially in the morning, at bedtime, and after each bowel movement.
Anusol – same as Preparation H
Warm baths are suggested 2-3 times daily – Also see suggestions for constipation
NOSEBLEEDS:
Saline Nasal Spray – Squeeze twice in each nostril as needed
NAUSEA/VOMITING
Vitamin B-6 50-100 mg – twice daily
Unisom 25 mg – use 1/2 tablet up to 4 times daily
Ginger Capsules – As recommended by manufacturer
If you have persistent vomiting, weight loss or inability to tolerate fluids for 24 hours, call your provider.