The over-the-counter (OTC) medications listed below are generally considered safe to use during pregnancy.
However, it is always best to avoid taking any medication during the first trimester, if at all possible. Also, while these suggested medications are permissible, on an acute or short-term basis, you should inform your doctor of any drug, which you feel you will need over a longer period of time. There are many prescription drugs, which are also safe to take.
| ANTACIDS | LAXATIVES | FEVER |
| Gelusil Maalox Mylanta Pepcid Ac Riopan Titralac Plus Tums Tagamet Titralac Zantac | Citrucel Colace Doxidan Metamucil Milk of Magnesia Peri-Colace Senokot Senokot-Plus | Tylenol* Avoid taking aspirin-containing compounds. Avoid Advil, Motrin, Nuprin-typedrugs – called “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs”) |
*Avoid taking aspirin containing compounds. Avoid Advil, Motrin, Nuprin-type drugs – called “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
| NAUSEA | DIARRHEA | HEMORRHOIDS |
| Emertrol Dramamine | Imodium-AD Kaopectate | Anusol Preparation-H Tucks |
| ANTIHISTAMINES | DECONGESTANTS | COMBINATION | COUGH |
| Tavist Chlor-Trimeton Claritin | Sudafed Sinutab Tylenol Cold | Actifed Cold & Allergy Sudafed Plus Chlor-Trimeton Plus Actifed Cold & Sinus Tylenol Multisymptom Formula | Robitussin DM |
**Do not use Dimetane, Dimetapp, or Drixoral during pregnancy. Try to avoid decongestants in the first trimester.
NOTE: This is a partial list only. It is not possible to put together a complete list as there are so many name-brand formulations.
