Oh, the paradoxes of pregnancy! The time in your life when another new ache or pain pops up out of nowhere every day – and you’re not allowed to take ibuprofen to help. The nine months when your nose seems to be either stuffy or dripping all the time – and you can’t take your favorite cold medicine to make it stop.
We here at Zeid Women’s Health Center know exactly what you’re going through. We know you’re willing to make any sacrifice at all to ensure your little one makes it here safe and sound, and that you’re watching every aspect of your life, from food to activities to stress levels, in order to create the perfect environment for that growing little bundle of joy.
But it’d sure be nice to be able to stop blowing your nose every few minutes!
Well, luckily for your nose – and your aching back – there are still many medications you can safely take while pregnant. The following is the list we give all our pregnant patients so they know what’s safe. (Of course, every patient and every pregnancy is different, so be sure to double check with your OB/GYN before taking any medicines.)
For Colds:
- Tylenol products (Cold and Flu, or Allergy)
- Robitussin Night Relief, plain or DM (alcohol-free)
- Theraflu (Guaifenesin is safe.)
Decongestants:
- Actifed
- Sudafed
- Tylenol Sinus
- Saline nasal spray
- Zyrtec-D
- Dimetapp
- Tavist-D
For Sore Throats:
- Cepacol
- Sucrets
- Halls
- Chloraseptic Throat Spray
For Coughs:
- Robitussin DM
- Halls
- Vicks Cough Drops
For Allergies:
- Benadryl
- Claritin
- Zyrtec
For Nausea:
- Ginger ale
- Ginger gum
- Vitamin B-6 (25 mg twice a day) and Vitamin E (twice a day)
For Diarrhea:
- Imodium AD (Do NOT take if you have fever and chills!)
For Constipation:
- Colace
- Senokot
- Fibercon
- Milk of Magnesia
- Benefiber
- Metamucil
- Stool softener
- If needed, glycerin suppository (Do NOT take laxatives.)
For Heartburn:
- Tums
- Rolaids
- Mylanta
- Zantac
- Pepcid AC
- Gaviscon
For Pain:
- Tylenol or Acetaminophen (Do not exceed 4000 mg in 24 hours.)
For Yeast Infections:
- Monistat 3 or 7
- Femstat 3
- Vagistat 1
- Mycelex 7
- Gyne-Lotrimin 3
For Hemorrhoids:
- Preparation H (cream or suppositories)
- Hydrocortisone anti-itch cream
- Nupercaine
- Tucks
For Itching Due To Minor Skin Irritations:
- Benadryl cream or spray
- Aveeno cream or baths
- Caladryl
For Sore Muscles or Joints:
- Bengay
- Flexall
- Icy Hot
Sleep Aids:
- Unisom
- Benadryl
- Tylenol PM
Eye Drops:
- Visine
- Aqua Site
- Saline drops
- For allergies: Opcon-A or Naphcon-A
For Sunburn:
- Solarcaine
- Dermaoplast
For Athlete’s Foot:
- Lotrimin cream or powder
- Tinactin
- Micatin
- Lamisil
For Dental Care:
- Local anesthesia
- Penicillin antibiotics
- Tylenol with codeine for pain
For X-rays:
- Notify the technician that you are pregnant. A shield of the abdomen should be provided during the x-ray.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Patients with hypertension (high blood pressure) should avoid Sudafed and any medication with the decongestant “D,” as they can increase your blood pressure.
As always, if you have any questions at all about which medications are safe to take while pregnant, or any other questions or concerns about your pregnancy, please don’t hesitate to give us here at Zeid Women’s Health Center a call. Our OB/GYNs would be more than happy to set up an appointment to speak with you and help make sure that your brand new little one gets the best possible start in life.