Medications and Pregnancy

Although the use of some medications during pregnancy is considered safe, some medications may adversely affect your baby and others may have no safety rating. It is highly important to discuss any and all medications that you take during pregnancy with your physician.

The Cleveland Clinic also has a comprehensive list of over-the-counter medications that are considered safe during your pregnancy. We’ve included these below:

TYPE OF REMEDY: ALLERGY

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)

  • Loratidine (Claritin®)

  • Cetirizine (Zyrtec®)

TYPE OF REMEDY: COLD AND FLU

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)*

  • Dextromethorphan (Robitussin®)*

  • Guaifenesin (Mucinex® [plain]) *

  • Vicks Vapor Rub® mentholated cream

  • Mentholated or non-mentholated cough drops

  • (Sugar-free cough drops for gestational diabetes should not contain blends of herbs or aspartame)

  • Pseudoephedrine ([Sudafed®] after 1st trimester)

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)*

  • Saline nasal drops or spray

  • Warm salt/water gargle

*Note: Do not take the "SA" (Sustained Action) form of these drugs or the "Multi-Symptom" form of these drugs. Do not use Nyquil® due to its high alcohol content.

TYPE OF REMEDY: DIARRHEA

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Loperamide ([Imodium®] after 1st trimester, for 24 hours only)

TYPE OF REMEDY: CONSTIPATION

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel®)

  • Docusate (Colace®)

  • psyllium (Fiberall®, Metamucil®)

  • polycarbophil (FiberCon®)

  • polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX®)*

*Occasional use only

TYPE OF REMEDY: FIRST AID OINTMENT

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Bacitracin

  • Neomycin/polymyxin B/bacitracin (Neosporin®)

TYPE OF REMEDY: HEADACHE

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

TYPE OF REMEDY: HEARTBURN

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (Gaviscon®)*

  • Famotidine (Pepcid AC®)

  • Aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (Maalox®)

  • Calcium carbonate/magnesium carbonate (Mylanta®)

  • Calcium carbonate (Titralac®, Tums®)

  • Ranitidine (Zantac®)

*Occasional use only

TYPE OF REMEDY: HEMORRHOIDS

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Phenylephrine/mineral oil/petrolatum (Preparation H®)

  • Witch hazel (Tucks® pads or ointment)

TYPE OF REMEDY: INSECT REPELLANT

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET®)

TYPE OF REMEDY: NAUSEA AND VOMITING

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

TYPE OF REMEDY: RASHES

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Diphenhydramine cream (Benadryl)

  • Hydrocortisone cream or ointment

  • Oatmeal bath (Aveeno®)

TYPE OF REMEDY: SLEEP

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Diphenhydramine (Unisom SleepGels®, Benadryl)

TYPE OF REMEDY: YEAST INFECTION

Safe Medications to Take During Pregnancy

  • Miconazole (Monistat®)

*Please note: No drug can be considered 100% safe to use during pregnancy.