Medication and Pregnancy

Medication & Pregnancy

As a general rule, no drug should be taken during pregnancy unless the benefit of that medication is significant. The first 12 weeks of a pregnancy are the most crucial time for development of the baby. Therefore, no medications (other than prenatal vitamins) should be taken unless the benefit outweighs the risks.

Medications safe to take during pregnancy:

Headache, Fever	Tylenol
Cold, Stuffy Nose, Cough	Saline Nasal Spray, Neti Pot, Sudafed (only AFTER first trimester), Mucinex
Allergies	Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin
Sore Throat	Cepacol, Chloraseptic Lozenges
Heartburn	Tums, Mylanta, Maalox, Pepcid, Zantac, Tagamet
Gas	Gas-X, Phazyme
Constipation	Metamucil, Colace, Surfak, Milk of Magnesia, Miralax, Dulcolax Suppository
Diarrhea	Immodium
Hemorrhoids	Tucks, Anusol HC, Preparation H
Rash, Poison Ivy	Benadryl, Hydrocortisone Ointment

Multivitamins, Mineral Supplements, and Low-Dose Aspirin:

Take a prenatal vitamin that includes at least 800 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid, 200-400 IU of Vitamin D, and 220 mcg of iodine.
Take one low-dose (81 mg) aspirin daily. Begin by 12 weeks gestation. This will decrease the risk of pre-eclampsia.
If you do not consume two to three servings of dairy daily, take a calcium supplement (1200 mg).
Choline – can promote fetal brain development. This is found in eggs, beef liver, and chicken liver.

Skincare Products:

The following are minimally absorbed into the bloodstream following topical use, so are likely safe to useduring pregnancy:

Benzoyl peroxide
Clindamycin
Erythromycin
Salicylic acid (if applied to intact skin)
Sunscreens (oxybenzone, octocrylene, octisalate)
Tropical self-tanning products
Hair color/Highlights – as long as you are in a well-ventilated area while color is being applied.

Avoid the following skincare products:

Tretinoin
Retinoids
Hydroquinone

Also Avoid:

Oil-based paint fumes
Insecticides (OK to use Deet-containing insect repellant)
Artificial sweeteners
Exhaust fumes
Large doses of vitamins
Unusual herbs (Saint John’s Wort, Don Quai, Ginseng, Yarrow, Pennyroyal, Ephedra, Licorice Root)
Cat feces (due to toxoplasmosis)

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