Over the Counter Medicines During Pregnancy

Over the Counter Medicines During Pregnancy


It is best to avoid using any medicines if you can during pregnancy, especially during the first 3 months. If you need to relieve a minor problem, use over the counter medicines from this list. Many of the medicines are available as store brands, which often cost less than brand name products. Take this list with you and ask your pharmacist if you are not sure of what product to buy.

Medicine safety during pregnancy

  • Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen or any products that contain aspirin or ibuprofen in them while pregnant unless directed by your providerA low dose of aspirin may be prescribed by your provider for certain medical conditions.
  • If your symptoms get worse or do not go away in 1 to 3 days, talk to your provider.
  • Follow the package instructions for how much medicine to take and how often you can take it.
  • Do not use any herbal treatments unless you talk to your provider or pharmacist to know whether there may be any risk to you and your baby.
  • If you are not sure what medicine to use, ask your health care provider or pharmacist.

Problem and medicine

Chest congestion

  • Guaifenesin (Mucinex)

Cough suppression

  • Dextromethorphan (Delsym or Robitussin)

Constipation

  • Drink 2 to 4 ounces of prune juice each day
  • Docusate (Colace)
  • Polycarbophil calcium (FiberCon)
  • Psylium (Metamucil)
  • Magnesium hydroxide (Phillips' Milk of Magnesia)
  • Methyl cellulose (Citrucel)

Diarrhea

  • Loperimide (Imodium)

Gas pains

  • Simethicone (Mylicon)

Heartburn (GI reflux)

  • Calcium carbonate (Tums)
  • Calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide (Rolaids)
  • Famotidine (Pepcid) 20 mg twice a day
  • Magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and simethicone (Maalox or Mylanta)
  • Magaldrate (Riopan)
  • Ranitidine (Zantac) 75 mg twice a day

Hemorrhoids

  • Hydrocortisone (Preparation H or Anusol HC)
  • Glycerin and witch hazel topical (Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads)

Minor aches, pain, or headache

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Nausea

  • Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) 25 mg every 8 hours along with doxylamine (Unisom) 25 mg each night

Sinus congestion or stuffy nose

  • Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
  • Fexofenadine (Allegra)
  • Loratadine (Claritin)
  • Fluticasone (Flonase)
  • Oxymetazoline (Afrin): Do not use this medicine for longer than 3 days.

May use the following medicines ONLY if  you are more than 10 weeks pregnant and DO NOT have high blood pressure:  

  • Pseudoephedrine and cetirizine (Zyrtec-D)
    Pseudoephedrine and fexofenadine (Allegra-D)
    Pseudoephedrine and loratadine (Claritin-D)
    Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
    Pseudoephedrine and acetaminophen (Sinutab)
    Pseudoephedrine and triprolidine (Actifed)

Sore throat

  • Benzocaine and menthol (Cepacol Sore Throat)
  • Dyclonine (Sucrets)

Trouble sleeping (Insomnia)

  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25 mg
  • Doxylamine (Unisom)

Vaginal yeast infection

Use a product for 3-day or 7-day treatment, not a 1-day treatment.

  • Clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin or Mycelex Cream)
  • Miconazole (Monistat Cream)
  • Terconazole (Terazol Cream)

 

© 2005– January 27, 2022. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or healthcare team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.