Drugs and Pregnancy
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The following information is provided to help clarify a great deal of confusion regarding the effects of drugs during pregnancy.  As a general rule, no drug should be taken during pregnancy unless the benefit of that medication is significant.  The first 12 weeks of a pregnancy are the most crucial time of growth for the baby; therefore, no medication (other than prenatal vitamins) should be taken unless the benefit outweighs the risks.

Medications thought to be safe

Two principles apply in determining if a medication should be taken.  First, if the medication is for relief of symptoms and these symptoms are minimal, you should probably take nothing.  Second, medications which have been used and studied over a long period of time and have been found to be safe are probably better to take than newer medications.

For headache, fever

Tylenol

For cold or stuffy nose

Sudafed, Drixoral, saline nose spray

For allergies

Robitussin DM

For sore throat

Any lozenges, Cepacol, Chloraseptic

For heartburn

Tums, Riopan, Mylanta, Maalox, Pepcid, Zantac, Tagamet

For gas

Phazyme, Beano

For constipation

Metamucil, Colace, Surfak, Milk of Magnesia, Doxidan, Dulcolax suppository

For diarrhea

Immodium, Kaopectate

For hemorrhoids

Tucks, Anusol HC

For rash, poison ivy

Cortaid, Benadryl

Avoid:

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Fumes from oil-based paints       

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Insecticides

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Artificial sweeteners

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Exhaust fumes

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 Large doses of vitamins

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Unusual herbs

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Cat feces       

 

Last modified: April 01, 2011