Medicine and Pregnancy.
Although some medications are thought to be safe to take while pregnant, it is unknown how other prescriptions will affect your unborn child. However, the safety of most drugs during pregnancy has not been sufficiently investigated. It is necessary to pay close attention to the medications you take while you’re expecting, especially during the first trimester, which is an important period for your baby’s growth.
Ask your doctor about the safety of continuing any prescription medications you were taking prior to becoming pregnant as soon as you learn that you are expecting if you were. When formulating their recommendations, your doctor will consider the advantages to you and the risks to your unborn child. In some cases, the danger of not taking a drug could be more severe than the risk of actually taking it.
What OTC (Over-The-Counter) Medicines Are Safe During Pregnancy?
Prenatal vitamins are safe to use while pregnant and are now available without a prescription. Consult your doctor about the safety of taking additional supplements, herbal medicines, and vitamins while pregnant. The safety of the majority of herbal remedies and supplements during pregnancy has not been established. Unless absolutely required, you should generally avoid using any over-the-counter medications.
When used as directed by the label, the following over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and home remedies pose no known risks to unborn children.
- Allergy – Antihistamines including: Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Efidac, Teldrin), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Cough,Cold and Flu – Robitussin Cough (check which ones, some should not be used in 1st trimester), Trind-DM, Vicks Cough Syrup, Saline nasal drops or spray, Actifed, Dristan, Flonase, Nasacort
- Constipation – Citrucel, Colace, Fiberall/Fibercon, Metamucil
- Diarrhea – For 24 hours: Imodium, Parepectolin
- Nausea and Vomiting – Doxylamine (in combination with pyridoxine), Emetrol (if not diabetic), Sea bands, Vitamin B6 (100 mg tablet)
6. Rashes – Benadryl cream, Caladryl lotion or cream, Hydrocortisone cream or ointment
*Please Note: No drug can be considered 100% safe to use during pregnancy.