What Medications Are Safe to Use During Pregnancy?

Women should always check with their health care providers before using any prescription or over-the-counter medication, or natural remedies, during pregnancy. However, many health care providers consider certain over-the-counter medications to be safe for occasional use during most pregnancies, and may give patients a list of safe medications that do not require approval during their first prenatal visit.

Types

Prenatal vitamins are available over the counter, and recommended by most doctors. For colds and allergies, many doctors consider Benadryl, Sudafed, Robitussin and throat sprays such as Chloraseptic to be safe choices. Benadryl, hydrocortizone and Caladryl creams are also generally safe for allergies and skin rashes. For pain, most doctors recommend acetaminophen, commonly sold under the brand name Tylenol. For heartburn, most doctors allow patients to use tablets such as Tums or Rolaids, and medications such as Mylanta or Maalox. For constipation, most doctors allow patient to use Metamucil and similar brands of fiber supplements, as well as Dulcolax and Senekot. For short-term diarrhea (one day or less), pregnant women may use Kaopectate or Immodium after the first trimester.

Time Frame

Some medications are only safe after the first trimester of pregnancy, which is the first twelve weeks or three months, counting from the first day of the last menstrual period. This is because some of the most critical development occurs during early pregnancy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assigns over-the-counter and prescription drugs to class A, B, C, D or X, based on their known risks during pregnancy, and may assign the same drug different categories at different stages of pregnancy. Only class A drugs are considered to be proven safe during pregnancy, class X drugs are never safe, and doctors may choose to allow or recommend avoiding class B, C, or D drugs based on the particular circumstances.

Size

When using medications during pregnancy, women should always take the smallest effective dose, and stay within the manufacturer's or doctor's dosing guidelines. Overdoses or over use, even of medications that are considered safe, could be harmful to pregnant women or the developing baby. Many doctors advise against taking medications, such as those for constipation or diarrhea for more than a few days, and recommend that patients contact their health care providers before continuing use beyond this time. The doctors can then determine if something more serious is causing the problem, prescribe a more effective treatment or determine if continuing the same treatment is safe.

Considerations

For some conditions, pregnant women may choose to use a simple home remedy rather than medication. For example, salt water (saline) nasal sprays or gargling solutions or a steamy shower may relieve congestion and sore throats. Foods that are natural fiber sources, such as whole grains, legumes and dried fruit can help prevent or relieve constipation. However, remedies, supplements or high does of vitamins may not be safe during pregnancy, even if they claim to be all natural.

Warning

Many medications have the potential to cause birth defects, pregnancy complications or harm to the mother's health. In many cases, doctors do not have sufficient research studies to be sure about the safety of medications during pregnancy, and may recommend against taking them unless the benefits strongly outweigh the potential risks. Women who know or suspect they might be pregnant should not take any medications, even those considered safe, without the approval of a health care professional.