Pregnancy raises a lot of questions, and a big one is “what kinds of medications are safe to take?” We know that your health and the health of your baby is of the utmost importance, so to help simplify your pregnancy, here’s our helpful chart to know which medications are and are not safe* to take while pregnant.
Looking for an even easier answer? Healthy Mama is a medication brand designed especially for pregnant women, so it may not be the most convenient option (or the cheapest), you can be assured that your needs as a pregnant mama, are being put first.
*Please note that no medication can be considered 100% safe
If you have more questions about medications and wish to speak to a provider, call 253-242-2576. If you are an expecting mother looking for an OB/GYN, visit our doctors and providers directory to find providers who are accepting new patients.
We wish you a safe and happy pregnancy. From all of us here at Sound Family Medicine, congratulations on your growing family!
Acne Benzoyl Peroxide Clindamcin Topical Erythromycin Salicylic Acid AVOID: Accutane Retin-A Tetracycline Minocycline |
Antibiotics Ceclor Cephalosporins E-mycins Keflex Macrobid/Macrodantin Penicillin Zithromax AVOID: Cipro Tetracycline Minocycline Levaquin Bactrim | Colds/Allergies Benadryl, Claratin, Claratin-D** Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetapp, Drixoral-Non-Drowsy Mucinex (guaifenesin) Robitussin DM Sudafed**/Sudafed-12 Hour** Sudafed PE Pseudoephedrine** Tylenol Cold & Sinus ** Vicks VapoRub Zyrtec **AVOID if Problems with Blood Pressure AVOID cold remedies that contain alcohol | Constipation Colace, Dulcolax Suppository Fibercon, Fiber-Lax, Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia, Miralax, Perdium, Senakot |
Cough Actifed, Sudafed Cough Drops Phenergan w/Codeine if prescribed Robitussin (plain & DM) | Crab/Lice RID AVOID: Kwell | Diarrhea (for 24 hours, only after 12 weeks of pregnancy) Imodium Kaopectate Maalox Total Relief Parecectolin Pepto Diarrhea, Contro | Gas Gas-X Mylicon Phazyme |
Headaches Cold Compress Tylenol (Regular or Extra Strength) Acetaminophen | Heartburn (Avoid lying down for at least 1 hour after meals) Aciphex, Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, Pepcid, Pepcid Complete Prevacid, Prilosec, Rolaids Zantac Tums (limit 4/day) | Hemorrhoids Anusol/Anusol H.C. (RX: Analapram 2.5%) Hydrocortisone Preparation H, Tucks Vaseline lotion applied to tissue Witch Hazel | Herpes Acyclovir Famvir Valtrex |
Insomnia Benadryl Maximum Strength Unisom SleepGels, Nytol, Sominex, EaZZZe the Pain! | Itching Cortaid Lanacort | Leg Cramps Benadryl | Nasal Spray Saline Nasal Spray Afrin nasal spray |
Nausea Vitamin B6 25mg 3 times daily Unisom 1/4 or 1/2 tablet at bedtime Vitamin B6 or Unisom at bedtime Dramamine, Emetrol Ginger Root 250mg 4 times daily High Complex Carbs @ Bedtime Sea Bands – Acupressure | Pain Tylenol/Extra Strength Tylenol Darvocet** Lortab**, Percocet** Tramadol**, Tylenol 3**, Ultram**, Vicodin** **Narcotic medications should only be used when prescribed for a legitimate medical problem by a doctor for a short period of time | Prenatal Vitamins Any of the counter prenatal vitamins. DHA is an optional addition to your prental vitamin and can be obtained in a separate pill. DHA can be found in fish oil, some plant based vitamins and Expecta DHA | Rash Benadryl Caladryl lotion or cream 1% Hydrocortisone Cream Oatmeal bath (Aveeno) |
Sleep Aids Ambien, Benadryl Chamomile Tea Unisom, Tylenol PM Warm milk add sugar/vanilla for flavor | Throat Cepacol Cepastat Salt Water Gargle w/warm water Throat Lozenges | Tooth Pain Oragel | Yeast Infection Gyne-lotrimin, Micatin Monistat-3 Terazol-3 Avoid: 1 Day Creams |