What Medications Can I Take During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a time of joy and anticipation, but it can also be a time of uncertainty and concern. One of the most common questions pregnant women have is what medications they can safely take.
The good news is that most medications are safe to take during pregnancy. However, there are some medications that can cause birth defects or other problems, so it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any medication, even over-the-counter medications.
Medications to Avoid During Pregnancy
Some medications that should be avoided during pregnancy include:
- Accutane (isotretinoin): This medication is used to treat severe acne. It can cause birth defects, including cleft lip and palate, heart defects, and mental retardation.
- Thalidomide: This medication was once used to treat morning sickness. It was later found to cause birth defects, including limb deformities.
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES): This medication was once used to prevent miscarriage. It was later found to cause cancer in the daughters of women who took it during pregnancy.
- Warfarin (Coumadin): This medication is used to prevent blood clots. It can cause bleeding in the mother and the baby.
- Lithium: This medication is used to treat bipolar disorder. It can cause birth defects, including heart defects and cleft lip and palate.
- Valproic acid (Depakote): This medication is used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It can cause birth defects, including spina bifida and heart defects.
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol): This medication is used to treat epilepsy. It can cause birth defects, including spina bifida and cleft lip and palate.
- Phenytoin (Dilantin): This medication is used to treat epilepsy. It can cause birth defects, including cleft lip and palate and heart defects.
Medications That Are Safe to Take During Pregnancy
Most medications are safe to take during pregnancy. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any medication, even over-the-counter medications.
Some medications that are generally considered safe to take during pregnancy include:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): This medication is used to relieve pain and fever. It is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy, but it is important to avoid taking more than the recommended dose.
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): This medication is used to relieve pain and inflammation. It is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy, but it is important to avoid taking it in the third trimester.
- Omeprazole (Prilosec): This medication is used to treat heartburn. It is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy.
- Ranitidine (Zantac): This medication is used to treat heartburn. It is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy.
- Ondansetron (Zofran): This medication is used to treat nausea and vomiting. It is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy.
- Promethazine (Phenergan): This medication is used to treat nausea and vomiting. It is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy.
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): This medication is used to treat allergies and motion sickness. It is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy.
- Loratadine (Claritin): This medication is used to treat allergies. It is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy.
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec): This medication is used to treat allergies. It is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy.
When to Call Your Doctor
If you are pregnant and you are taking any medications, it is important to talk to your doctor. Your doctor can help you determine which medications are safe to take and which medications should be avoided.
You should also call your doctor if you experience any side effects from your medications. Some side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, are common during pregnancy. However, other side effects, such as bleeding or pain, can be a sign of a more serious problem.
Conclusion
Most medications are safe to take during pregnancy. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking any medication, even over-the-counter medications. Your doctor can help you determine which medications are safe to take and which medications should be avoided.