Would you be surprised to know you should ask your obstetrician or your pharmacist whether to continue with a particular prescription drug once you know you are pregnant? First time mothers can be astonished this is the case. In fact, there are some over-the-counter medications pregnant women should avoid while pregnant. Let’s discover the safe medications during pregnancy.
The Many Consequences of Taking Illegal Drugs During Pregnancy
We shouldn’t even need to tell you that illegal drugs can harm your growing baby. If you have been using an illegal substance prior to getting pregnant, you should stop immediately once you know a baby is on the way. The drug becomes passed on to the baby through the umbilical cord and placenta. Heroin, cocaine, marijuana, angel dust, crack, and speed are all dangerous for your growing baby.
Even alcohol and tobacco can cause similar problems like stillbirth, birth defects, low birth weight, fetal alcohol spectrum, miscarriage, and developmental problems. It can be dangerous to stop taking these drugs “cold turkey” especially heroin, so it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with your OBGYN.
What Medicines Are Safe If You Get Sick?
You can catch a cold, the flu, get a UTI, have allergies and so on. Just because medications are available over the counter (OTC) doesn’t necessarily mean they are safe for you.
Some safe meds are listed below:
- For a cold or flu: Safe medications include Benadryl, Robitussin, Mucinex, Vicks, Sudafed, Tylenol, Saline nasal drops, and warm salt water gargle.
- For allergies: Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec are safe.
- For diarrhea: Imodium is safe.
- For constipation: Safe medications include Citrucel, Metamucil, Maalox.
- For heartburn: Gaviscon, Pepcid AC, Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, and Zantac are all safe.
Tips and Guidelines for Medications During Pregnancy
Additional tips and guidelines you should follow during this time include:
- Don’t accept a label saying “All Natural.” It may not be safe.
- Read all labels before purchasing.
- Talk with your OBGYN about how much folic acid you should take before becoming pregnant and in the first few months of pregnancy.
- Always talk with your doctor about any medicines, dietary supplements or vitamins you take.
- Download this link from the CDC.
Always make sure prescriptions and medications are safe for you and baby throughout pregnancy.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to Women Gynecology & Childbirth Associates at (585) 244-3430 if you have any questions about safe medications while pregnant.
