Safe Over the Counter Medications in Pregnancy
Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking, either prescription or over-the-counter. Do not take Aspirin unless directed by your provider. No anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil, Ibuprofen, Aleve, or similar products without your Provider's instructions.
Scroll to the bottom of this list for more resources regarding medication use during pregnancy and lactation.
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Condition |
Medication |
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Acne |
Benzoyl Peroxide |
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Avoid Accutane®, Retin-A®, Tetracycline, Minocycline, Salicylic Acid |
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Anemia |
Speak with your provider about medications for anemia |
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Allergies |
Allegra® |
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Benadryl® |
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Claritin |
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Flonase nasal spray |
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Coricidin D |
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Flonase/Nasonex/Rhinocort |
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Zyrtec |
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Cold/Congestion |
Tylenol Cold &Flu |
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Robitussin |
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Mucinex |
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Cough lozenges |
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Netti pot |
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Claritin |
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Zyrtec |
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Chlor-Trimeton allergy tablets |
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Afrin Nasal spray |
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Ocean nasal mist or saline |
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Sudafed-check with provider |
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Vicks Formula 44 |
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Benadryl |
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Cough |
Robitussin |
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Guafenesin |
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Vicks Vapo Rub |
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Mucinex |
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Cough drops |
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Do not take medications that contain alcohol |
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Constipation |
Citrucel Fiber |
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Metamucil |
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Fibercon |
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Konsyl |
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Natural Calm |
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Colace (stool softener) |
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Dulcolax (laxative) |
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Milk of Magnesia |
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Miralax |
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Fleet saline enema-check with provider |
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Senakot |
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Gas |
Phazyme |
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Simethicone |
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Diarrhea |
Immodium AD |
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BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) |
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Kaopectate |
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Fever |
Tylenol (Acetaminophen) |
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Flu |
Theraflu |
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Head Lice |
Nix |
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Rid |
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Do not use Kwell |
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Heartburn or indigestion |
Tums |
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Rolaids |
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Mylanta |
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Pepcid Complete |
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Maalox |
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Prilosec OTC |
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Tagament |
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Protonix |
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Prevacid |
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Gaviscon |
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Zantac |
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Do not take Pepto Bismol |
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Hemorrhoids |
Preparation H |
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Anusol |
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Tucks Pads |
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Nausea/Vomiting |
Unisom +B6 |
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Emetrol |
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Ginger (tea, capsule, crystalized candied or lollipaps) |
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Peppermint Tea |
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Hard candies |
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Lemonade |
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Saltines |
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Sea Bands bracelets |
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Vitamin B6 |
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Pain/Muscle aches/Headache |
Tylenol (Regular, extra strength, PM, or with codeine) |
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Extra Strngth Tylenol |
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small amount of caffeine |
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Rash/Burn |
Hydrocortisone cream or ointment |
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Caladryl cream or lotion |
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Benadryl cream |
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Aloe |
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Aveeno Oatmeal bath |
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Eucerin Cream |
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Sunscreen |
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Sleep Aids |
Unisom |
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Tylenol PM |
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Benadryl |
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Sore Throat |
Cepacol |
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Cepastat |
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Salt water gargle |
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Throat lozenges |
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Tooth Pain |
Oragel |
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Yeast Infections |
Monistat 7 |
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Clortrimazole 7 |
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Gyne-Lotrimin |
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Caffeine: Limit to 1-8oz serving daily (approx. 200mg)
Dental Visits: Plain Lidocaine with NO epinephrine. Double shield for x-rays.
Resources we trust
The following links can provide you with more information about medication use during pregnancy and lactation.
Infant Risk Center at Texas Tech https://infantrisk.com/pregnancy
Mother To Baby CT https://health.uconn.edu/medical-genetics/mothertobaby-ct/
Cleveland Clinic Medicine Guidelines During Pregnancy https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/4396-medicine-guidelines-during-pregnancy
CDC Guidelines and Recommendations for Treating and Managing Health Conditions During Pregnancy https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/meds/treatingfortwo/treatment-guidelines.html