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Over the Counter Medications during Pregnancy
Try to avoid taking medications during your pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. This list contains medications that are approved only as needed. We urge you to try other remedies first. If you do take a medication, use it only as directed.
| Problem | Medication | Precaution – Call Us |
|---|---|---|
| Allergies | Allegra (fexofenadine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Claritin (Loratadine), Flonase (fluticasone propionate nasal), Nasacort (triamcinolone nasal), Rhinocort (budesonide nasal), Zyrtec (cetirizine). | – |
| Congestion | Afrin (oxymetazoline nasal) – limited use to 3 days, Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) – after 1st trimester. | Fever > 101 Persistent cough. |
| Constipation | Benefiber, Colace (docusate sodium), Glycerine suppository, Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide), Miralax (polyethylene glycol). | Severe straining, rectal bleeding. |
| Cough | Mucinex (guaifenesin), Mucinex D (guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine) – after 1st trimester, Mucinex DM (guaifenesin/dextromethorphan), Robitussin (dextromethorphan). **Cough drops, vitamin C drops, Emergen-C. |
Fever > 101 Persistent cough. |
| Diarrhea | Imodium (loperamide) – after 1st trimester. | Diarrhea > 24 hours. |
| Headache | Magnesium oxide, Tylenol (acetaminophen). | Persistent/severe headache, HTN. |
| Hemorrhoids | Anusol-HC (hydrocortisone topical), Preparation H (phenylephrine/mineral oil/petrolatum), Tucks (Witch Hazel Topical). | Rectal bleeding or severe pain. |
| Indigestion | Mylanta (aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide/simethicone), Pepcid (famotidine), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Rolaids (calcium carbonate/magnesium hydroxide), Tums (calcium carbonate). | – |
| Insomnia | Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Melatonin – short term use, limited studies, Unisom (doxylamine). | – |
| Nausea/Vomiting | Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Biobands, Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), Emetrol (dextrose/fructose/phosphoric acid), Vitamin B6 + Unisom (doxylamine). **Ginger, Raspberry Tea. |
Continued vomiting or inability to keep fluids down for 24 hours. |
| Rash/Skin Infection | Bacitracin, Benadryl cream (diphenhydramine/zinc acetate), Hydrocortisone – short term use, Neosporin (bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin B). | – |
| Sore Throat | Chloraseptic spray (phenol oropharyngeal), Chloraseptic throat lozenges (benzocaine/menthol). | Severe/persistent sore throat. Fever > 101. |
| Vaginal Yeast | Clotrimazole, Monistat (miconazole vaginal) – 1, 3, 7 day regimen. | Symptoms don’t improve. |
These medications are safe to take if prescribed by your primary care provider or dentist: Penicillin based antibiotics, Tamiflu, Prednisone, Albuterol
