Safe Medications During Pregnancy

What medications are safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Our board-certified OBGYNs have compiled this list to help you care for yourself while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have any further questions about what medications are safe to take, contact Atlanta Women’s Obstetrics & Gynecology today! Call us at 678-466-7418 or schedule an appointment online.

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Over-The-Counter Medications Allowed During Pregnancy and Lactation

Acne

All OTC acne products/medications may be used.

Antihistamines

  • Actifed
  • Allegra
  • Benadryl
  • Claritin
  • Claritin-D
  • Chlor-Trimeton-D
  • Chlor-Trimeton-DM
  • Sudafed*
  • Tylenol Allergy
  • Zyrtec

*Though it does not require a prescription, Georgia law requires that Sudafed be requested from the pharmacist.

Cough Suppressants

  • Robitussin
  • Robitussin DM
  • Robitussin PE**

**DO NOT USE if taking Sudafed

Calcium Supplements

Any calcium supplement may be used, including:

  • Tums EX – 2 tablets twice daily
  • Viactiv

Constipation

  • Benefiber
  • Colace
  • Fibercon
  • Metamucil
  • Milk of Magnesia
  • Unifiber

Or, increase dietary roughage, bran, dark green leafy vegetables and fruits. Drink 8- 10 glasses of water daily.

Decongestants

  • Sudafed
  • Sudafed Sinus
  • Sudafed Non-Drying
  • Actifed
  • Tylenol Sinus
  • Benadryl
  • Doxylamine Succinate

Dry Skin

  • Cocoa Butter
  • Eucerin Lotion
  • Vitamin E Lotion

Expectorants

  • Mucinex
  • Robitussin

Fever

  • Tylenol
  • Tylenol Extra Strength (2 tablets every 6 hours)

DO NOT take more than 12 tablets in 24 hours.

Gas

  • Mylicon
  • Mylanta GAS
  • Mylanta Antacid/Anti-Gas
  • Phazyme

Hemorrhoids

  • Preparation H
  • Colace
  • Annusol Suppository/Ointment (with or without cortisone)

Or, increase roughage and fluids.

Heartburn

  • Gaviscon
  • Maalox
  • Mylanta
  • Nexium
  • Pepcid Complete
  • Prevacid
  • Prilosec
  • Rolaids
  • Tums
  • Zantac

Iron Supplements

Any iron supplement may be taken, including:

  • Ferro-Sequels
  • Ferancee HP
  • Slow-Fe
  • Slow-Fe with Folic Acid

Insect Repellant

Any insect repellant is safe to use.

Itch

  • Benadryl Ointment
  • Caladaryl Lotion
  • Hyrdocortisone Anti-Itch Ointment
  • Cortaid

Nasal Spray

  • Afrin – DO NOT for more than 3 days.
  • Flonase
  • Nasonex
  • Ocean and Nasal Mist – may use as needed

Poison Ivy

  • Nutech Wash
  • Caladryl Lotion*
  • Ivy Dry*

Nausea

  • Emetrol
  • Relief Band
  • Sea Bands
  • Vitamin B6 (25mg 3 times daily)
  • Unisom (1 Doxylamine 12.5mg tablet daily) with Vitamin B6

Pain

  • Tylenol
  • Tylenol Extra Strength

*Clean affected area with soap and then apply medication to prevent the spread of poison ivy.

Diarrhea

  • Imodium AD

Sore Throat

  • Chloraseptic Oral Strips
  • Chloraseptic Spray
  • Sucrets or other throat lozenges

Sleep

DO NOT USE ON A DAILY BASIS!

  • Benadryl 25mg
  • Tylenol PM
  • Unisom

Sunscreen

  • Use SPF 30 or higher

Yeast Infection

Any OTC medication may be used, including:

  • Femstat 3
  • Gynelotrimin Cream
  • Monistat 3*
  • Monistat 7*

*Insert the applicator halfway only.

Travel

Travel is permitted up to the 35th week of pregnancy as long as your physician has not put you on any restrictions. Check with your individual air carrier or cruise line regarding traveling during pregnancy. When traveling, empty your bladder frequently and take frequent breaks to stretch your body.

Miscellaneous Concerns

No studies have been performed indicating that the following procedures have an adverse effect on fetal development:

  • Teeth Whitening
  • Artificial Nails
  • Hair Coloring (after the 1st trimester-12 weeks)

ATTENTION: If you are ill or have any questions regarding taking medications while pregnant or nursing, please call 678-466-7418 and ask for the OB Office.