Pregnancy Care Guide: Medications

Pregnancy Care Guide

Medications During Pregnancy

It is best to try to avoid ALL medications in the first trimester, but it is probably safe to use the following medications if absolutely necessary, especially beyond the first trimester:

Tylenol	Over-the-counter creams	Icy-Hot
Sudafed	Cough syrups and lozenges	Bengay
Antacids (in moderation)	Imodium	Fiber supplements
Kaopectate	Stool softeners	Milk of magnesia
Anusol	Preparation H	Tucks

Most cold preparations contain high doses of a combination of medications. Although they are probably safe in pregnancy, you will likely take less medication overall if you try to treat specific symptoms (for example, Tylenol for muscle aches and fever, and cough syrup for a cough) rather than the "shotgun" approach of taking large doses of combination medications.

Most common antibiotics may be prescribed in pregnancy for specific indications. Antibiotics that should not be taken in pregnancy include tetracycline, streptomycin, kanamycin, and quinolones. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may cause bleeding problems and changes in fetal blood flow, so these medications should be avoided, especially in the third trimester. Accutane and thalidomide are known to cause birth defects and should never be taken in pregnancy. Other medications suspected of causing birth defects include ACE inhibitors, coumadin, carbamazepine, methotrexate, DES, lithium, Dilantin, valproic acid, and high-dose vitamin A. If you were exposed to a potentially dangerous medication before you knew you were pregnant, please let us know.

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