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Safe Over the Counter Medications in Pregnancy

a doctor and pregnant patient talking in an office

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. 

ConditionMedication
AcneBenzoyl Peroxide
 Avoid Accutane®, Retin-A®, Tetracycline, Minocycline, Salicylic Acid
AnemiaSpeak with your provider about medications for anemia
AllergiesAllegra®
 Benadryl®
 Claritin
 Flonase nasal spray
 Coricidin D
 Flonase/Nasonex/Rhinocort
 Zyrtec
Cold/CongestionTylenol Cold &Flu
 Robitussin
 Mucinex
 Cough lozenges
 Netti pot
 Claritin
 Zyrtec
 Chlor-Trimeton allergy tablets
 Afrin Nasal spray
 Ocean nasal mist or saline
 Sudafed-check with provider
 Vicks Formula 44
 Benadryl
CoughRobitussin
 Guafenesin
 Vicks Vapo Rub
 Mucinex
 Cough drops
 Do not take medications that contain alcohol
ConstipationCitrucel Fiber
 Metamucil
 Fibercon
 Konsyl
 Natural Calm
 Colace (stool softener)
 Dulcolax (laxative)
 Milk of Magnesia
 Miralax
 Fleet saline enema-check with provider
 Senakot
GasPhazyme
 Simethicone
DiarrheaImmodium AD
 BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
 Kaopectate
FeverTylenol (Acetaminophen)
FluTheraflu
Head LiceNix
 Rid
 Do not use Kwell
Heartburn or indigestionTums
 Rolaids
 Mylanta
 Pepcid Complete
 Maalox
 Prilosec OTC
 Tagament
 Protonix
 Prevacid
 Gaviscon
 Zantac
 Do not take Pepto Bismol
HemorrhoidsPreparation H
 Anusol
 Tucks Pads
Nausea/VomitingUnisom +B6
 Emetrol
 Ginger (tea, capsule, crystalized candied or lollipaps)
 Peppermint Tea
 Hard candies
 Lemonade
 Saltines
 Sea Bands bracelets
 Vitamin B6
Pain/Muscle aches/HeadacheTylenol (Regular, extra strength, PM, or with codeine)
 Extra Strngth Tylenol
 small amount of caffeine
Rash/BurnHydrocortisone cream or ointment
 Caladryl cream or lotion
 Benadryl cream
 Aloe
 Aveeno Oatmeal bath
 Eucerin Cream
 Sunscreen
Sleep AidsUnisom
 Tylenol PM
 Benadryl
Sore ThroatCepacol
 Cepastat
 Salt water gargle
 Throat lozenges
Tooth PainOragel
Yeast InfectionsMonistat 7
 Clortrimazole 7
 Gyne-Lotrimin

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