Chris Taylor, MD Harrison Arkansas

Using Medications During PREGNANCY

It is sometimes necessary to take medication when you are pregnant. Many patients are afraid to use medications during pregnancy, as they are aware of fetal complications that can occur from exposure to certain medications.

As a general rule, you should avoid any medications during the first trimester of the embryo’s development. That said, there are certain medications that you can take during pregnancy. And, of course, certain medications are considered safe when there is a clear indication for using them.

The following medications are generally safe to take at any time during pregnancy. This is NOT an all-inclusive list of medications. If you have questions about medications, please call our office. There are no ‘guarantees’ regarding safety of medications during pregnancy, so avoid taking medications that you do not need. Please follow package directions for all medications.

Prenatal vitamins Pain medication or fever reducers:

Tylenol or other acetaminophen products, 650 g to 1,000 mg every 3-1/2 to 4 hours, as needed.

If no relief: Call the office

Antibiotics

Penicillin
Cephalosporins (Keflex)
Zithromax
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
Erythromycin

Heartburn

Maalox
Mylanta
TUMS
If no relief, try:
Pepcid (over-the-counter)
Zantac (over-the-counter)
If still no relief: Call the office

Gas

Simethicone products, such as Gas-X

Constipation

Stool softeners:

Colace (docusate sodium)
Fibercon
Metamcil (powder or wafers)
Fiber One

Diarrhea

Kaopectate
Immodium
Immodium AD

Hemorrhoids

Preparation H
Anusol

Yeast infections

External antifungal medications: Monistat or generic brand

Insect bites and rashes

Calimine
Caladryl

If rash is unusual or persists, call the office

For relief of cold symptoms

Colds are caused by viruses. They do not harm the baby. Antibiotics are not prescribed because they cannot help with a cold.

The cure for a cold is plenty of rest, eating and drinking well, and time. Colds tend to last longer when you are pregnant, sometimes up to two weeks.

You do not have to take medication for a cold if you don’t want to do so. However, if you have a fever above 100.3 degrees, you should take Tylenol to bring down your body temperature.

If you have a cold and need to take medication, you may use the following medications to relieve symptoms without calling our office first (generic substitutes are acceptable):

For a runny nose or sinus congestion:

Plain Sudafed, Sudafed Plus, or Sudafed 12-hour formula

Follow package instructions
Sudafed can cause insomnia in some people *

Benadryl

25 mg. every 4 to 6 hours
Benadryl often causes drowsiness *

Tylenol Sinus

Chlortrimetron

Actifed

2 to 3 times daily
Do not use for more than 3 days

Avoid nasal sprays, except saline-only products

Cool mist vaporizer

* Try taking Sudafed during the day and Benadryl at night to avoid sleep problems.

For a sore throat:

  • Cepacol lozenges
  • Chloraseptic lozenges or spray
  • Cough drops (Halls, Vicks, or lemon drops)
  • Gargle with warm diluted salt water

For a cough:

  • Plain Robitussin

    Follow instructions on bottle

  • Cough drops (Halls, Vicks, or lemon drops)

For headache, pain, fever:

  • Tylenol or other acetaminophen products (see doses above)