What Pregnancy Safe Medicines Can I take?

Be sure you take safe medications during pregnancy

Why safe medicines during pregnancy?

Pregnancy is an important period in the life of every woman. During this period, most women take medicines at some points. But why safe medicines during pregnancy? First off, pregnancy safe medicines are medications taken during pregnancy with no adverse effects on a woman and her baby.

It is therefore important to take only pregnancy safe medicines especially if you are sick. Doing so will protect you and your unborn baby against serious adverse drug reactions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has it that 9 out of every 10 women take drugs during their pregnancies. This is a kind of reminder that you may need to take some drugs during pregnancy.

Various classifications of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs exist. For the purpose of this article, I will discuss classification according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This classification is in accordance with medications’ risks.

For example, categories A, B or C medications are pregnancy safe medicines. This is because the benefits of their use outweigh their risks. They are considered safe medicines during pregnancy as demonstrated in both animal and human studies.

Here are categories A, B, C, D, and X of medications, according to their risks to fetus(es)

Category-A: The drugs in this category do not pose any risk to the fetus in first and later trimesters. This was confirmed by controlled studies on pregnant women.

Therefore, feel free and use these pregnancy safe medicines as they constitute no threat to fetus.

Category-B: 1. Animal studies show no adverse effects of drugs on fetus. However, no controlled studies on pregnant women exist to corroborate this. 2. Or animal studies show adverse effects but not confirmed by controlled studies in women in the first trimester.

Category-C: 1. Animal studies indicate adverse effects on fetus. 2. In addition, there are no available studies or controlled studies on animals or women respectively.

For drugs in category C, you can take but with caution, particularly if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Category-D: There is evidence of risk to fetus as proven by animal or human studies

You may use the drugs in this category, if benefits outweigh the risks. For example, the drugs can be used in a life-threatening situation.

Category-X: Animal or human studies show evidence of adverse effects on fetus. Such adverse effects are in the public domain. Therefore, the risk of taking the medications outweigh the benefits. Doctors do not prescribe these drugs for pregnant women or women who may become pregnant.

Here are pregnancy safe medicines you can take

At this juncture, I will mention the conditions that may be associated with pregnancy and the medications to take.

Cold medicine

The use of cold, safe medicines during pregnancy is either understudied or not well studied. Some doctors recommend not to take the medications until after the gestational age of 12 weeks. This is to reduce potential risks to the fetus.

Here are pregnancy safe medicines to use for cold during pregnancy

• Cough expectorant during the day
• Category B – Tylenol (acetaminophen) for fever and pain relief
• Plain cough syrup like Vicks
• Cough suppressant at night
• Category C – Robitussin cough syrup (dextromethorphan) and Robitussin DM cough syrup (dextromethorphan-guaifenesin)

Have you heard of Sudafed? It contains pseudoephedrine as its active ingredient. It may be a safe medicine for treating cold during pregnancy.

However, Sudafed may increase blood pressure or obstruct blood flow from the womb to the fetus. For this reason, consult your doctor before taking it especially if you have high blood pressure.

In line with doctors’ recommendations, you may try the following home treatments before taking medications:

• Apply saline nose drops to treat nose stuffiness
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated
• Find time to rest and relax
• Use cough drops or lozenges
• Apply menthol rub on your chest
• Drink salt water to minimize sore throat
• Use nasal strips to decongest airways
• Humidify your room air

Nausea and vomiting

If you feel like vomiting or you vomit in the first trimester of your pregnancy, treatment may not be needed.

Mild nausea and vomiting during pregnancy may be defined as morning sickness and they are common. As per treatment, you can try home remedies to alleviate your symptoms.

For example, you can eat small meals or sip ginger ale before reaching for medicines.

Consider these pregnancy safe medicines in treating nausea and vomiting during pregnancy:

• Category B – Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), and Unisom (doxylamine succinate)
• You may take oral vitamin B6 35 mg three times a day

If you experience severe nausea and vomiting known medically as hyperemesis gravidarum, see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Your doctor can prescribe these medications for hyperemesis gravidarum:

• Category A – Diclegis (doxylamine succinate-pyridoxine hydrochloride)
• Category B – Zofran (ondansetron)

Pain or headache during pregnancy

Category B drug – Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a drug of choice for relieving pain during pregnancy. This drug has few documented adverse effects on the fetus. As a result, it is widely used during pregnancy.

It is important to note that you should avoid NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and aspirin during pregnancy.

NSAIDS commonly in use which you should avoid during pregnancy include:

• Ketoprofen
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen

If you have severe pain due perhaps to surgery or any other condition, your doctor may prescribe a brief course of opioids to relieve your pain.

Opioids may not affect fetal development if you take them as prescribed by your doctor.

However, the use of opioid during pregnancy may cause neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) after delivery.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids may occur during pregnancy due to constipation or swollen blood vessels.

Safe treatment options for hemorrhoids during pregnancy include:

• Anusol
• Preparation H
• Tucks pads
• Witch hazel pads

You may try these options:

• Lie on your side or stand when possible
• Fill a tub with warm water and soak the hemorrhoids. Do not add bubble bath or soap
• Drink lots of water and fluids, exercise more, eat more fiber and take stool softeners to treat constipation
• Try and sit on hemorrhoid pillow or ring cushion

Every pregnant woman should take only pregnancy safe medicines

Allergies

Lifestyle measures are adequate to alleviate mild allergies. However, you may as well get extra help with oral antihistamines considered safe medicines during pregnancy.

For mild allergies you can use the following category B OTC oral antihistamines:

• Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Loratidine (Alavert)
• Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)

If you have severe allergies, see your doctor immediately. S/he may prescribe a low dose OTC corticosteroid spray, and oral antihistamine for you.

These category C pregnancy safe medicines are some options for treating severe allergies:

• Fluticasone (Flonase)
• Mometasone (Nasonex)
• Budesonide (Rhinocort)

Moreover, you can make some lifestyle changes to nip your allergy in the bud.

For example:

• Seek help for tasks like lawn mowing
• Wear mask while doing outdoor chores
• Rinse nasal passages with saline spray
• After outdoor activities, take off your clothes and bathe quickly to rinse off pollen from your skin and hair
• Do not open windows or go outdoors on high pollen days

Yeast infections

Yeast infections occur commonly in women and more during pregnancy. The yeast infections can cause cervicitis, an important cause of early pregnancy spotting. However, you need a proper diagnosis before you can treat at home. Therefore, see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Having said that, the following category C pregnancy safe medicines can be used to treat yeast infections:

• Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
• Butoconazole (Femstat)
• Miconazole (Monistat)

You are advised not to take natural treatments or home remedies for yeast infections during pregnancy.

Use of supplements during pregnancy

You may want to take supplements during pregnancy. This is OK as most if not all pregnant women receive supplements. However, discuss any supplement you want to take with your doctor.

Many pregnancy safe supplements exist. For example, prenatal multi-vitamins and minerals like folate are taken to increase essential minerals and vitamins levels.

However, some other supplements may constitute great risks to the fetus. Some of these supplements also interact with medications you may already be taking.

Further, FDA does not regulate supplements the way it does for prescription drugs. Therefore, be careful with supplements and discuss with your doctor if you plan to take any.

Prescription medications before pregnancy

Before getting pregnant, you may already be taking some prescription medications.

For example, you may be taking drugs for high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoarthritis, thyroid diseases or other conditions.

Therefore, talk to your doctor about these medications. Ask if you can continue with the medications, especially if you are already pregnant or you plan to become pregnant.

It is safe in many cases to continue taking your medications during pregnancy.

However, when you need to change your medications, two things are involved. You may need to adjust your medication dosages or switch to safe medicines during pregnancy.

Insomnia

There are pregnancy safe medicines for difficulty in sleeping. Medications in the diphenhydramine category B family are safe for treating insomnia.

The diphenhydramine family drugs include:

• Nytol
• Sominex

Also, Doxylamine succinate is another category B OTC drug that you can use to treat insomnia.

However, if the OTC medications do not work, your doctor may recommend other medications after considering the benefits and risks.

These prescription medications include:

Category C – tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline)

Category D – benzodiazepines (Ativan)

Note that benzodiazepines is connected with risk of lip and cleft palate. However, they can be used in later pregnancy with little or no risk.

Also, you can make some lifestyle changes to help improve your sleep quality.

For example:

• Exercise regularly
• Take a nap for only 30 minutes per day
• Create and maintain a ritual before night sleep. For example, bathe, do yoga or listen to music before sleeping
• Explore acupuncture or meditation as alternative treatments for insomnia
• Maintain consistent bed and wake times
• Do not take caffeine and other stimulants

Constipation

Stool softeners such as Surfak and Colace are generally considered safe medicines during pregnancy.

Similarly, laxatives such as milk of magnesia, dulcolax or senokot may help relieve constipation. However, you should talk to your doctor before taking any of these.

You may also try other options for treating constipation.

For example:

• Exercise regularly each day.
• Consider fiber supplements like Metamucil. Ask your doctor before taking.
• Drink lots of water and fluids such as prune juice.
• Eat foods containing lots of fiber such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans.

A man encouraging his pregnant partner to take only safe medicines

Acid reflux and heartburn

Pregnancy safe medicines for treating acid reflux and heartburn include OTC antacids containing magnesium, aluminum, calcium and alginic acid.

Examples of these antacids include:

Category-B – Aluminum hydroxide-magnesium hydroxide (Maalox); Famotidine (Pepcid)

Category-C – Simethicone (Mylanta); Calcium carbonate (Tums)

If you have severe heartburn talk to your doctor who will prescribe H2 blockers (proton pump inhibitors).

The H2 blockers commonly in use include:

Category B – omeprazole (Prilosec), Cimetidine (Tagamet) and Ranitidine (Zantac)

More importantly, you can make some lifestyle changes that will help alleviate your heartburn.

For example:

• Avoid late meals before bedtime. Wait three hours before you lie down after eating.
• Sleep at night with your head elevated.
• Keep a food diary to help you identify acid reflux triggering foods.
• Eat small meals each day.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing

If your heartburn is severe, speak with your doctor about it as this may be a sign of HELLP syndrome, a serious complication of pregnancy.

Complementary and alternative therapies

Some alternative therapies may be safe for use during pregnancy. They include:

• Massage therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Acupuncture
• Acupressure

However, certain complementary and alternative medications may be unsafe.

In fact, the safety of these medications involving supplements or herbs is in doubt. Also, there are few studies on alternative therapies. Therefore, discuss your treatment plan with your doctor.

Above all, dip in and ensure healthcare professionals you want to visit have appropriate licenses to care for pregnant women.

Skin rashes, scrapes, and cuts

During pregnancy, you can treat skin rashes and itchy skin with hydrocortisone cream. However speak with your doctor before using the cream.

Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPPs) may also cause rashes and itchy skin.

So there is need for you to consult your doctor whenever you have a skin disease.

It is left for your doctor to prescribe the most appropriate treatment for your skin condition. S/he may prescribe steroidal creams for certain skin conditions.

If you have skin scrapes or cuts, simply clean with soap and water and apply OTC antibiotic ointment like Neosporin.

Conclusion

As shown in this article, there are many safe medications to take while pregnant. However, it is important that you speak with your healthcare provider before using any of these medicines.

You may want to get more information on safe medicines during pregnancy on Mother to Baby. This is a great evidence-based online resource that provides information on medicines and their potential effects on pregnancy.

Finally, you may do well to consult an obstetrician to help you address all your questions and concerns about your pregnancy.

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