What Over-the-Counter Medicines Can I Take During Pregnancy?

Headaches

• Tylenol (Acetaminophen)

Cold Symptoms and Allergies

• Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine) for stuffy nose (not to exceed 48 hours)

• Saline Spray for stuffy nose

• Zyrtec (Cetirizine) for allergies

• Claritin (Loratadine) for allergies

• Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCI) for allergies

• Mucinex (Guaifenesin)Robitussin (NO DM)

• Hall’s drops for cough 

• Chloraseptic spray for sore throat

Call the office if your fever is higher than 101.5 or for any green drainage.

Gas

• Mylanta (Simethicone)

• GasX (Simethicone)

Nausea and/or vomiting

• Emetrol (Phosphoric Acid and Dextrose) 

• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)-50 mg daily

• Candied Ginger

• Unisom (Doxylamine) ½ tablet at bedtime

• Anti-nausea bands (Sea-bands) for wrist

Call your doctor if nausea or vomiting lasts longer than 24 hours.

Diarrhea

• Imodium (Loperamide)

Increase fluids such as Gatorade or follow the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast).

Call your doctor if diarrhea is severe, lasts more than 48 hours, or is bloody.

Constipation

• MiraLAX (Polyethylene Glycol)

• Colace (Docusate)

• Benefiber (Wheat Dextrin)

• Metamucil (Psyllium)

• Fiber Bars

Drink more water.

Hemorrhoids

• Preparation H Cream

• Anusol Cream

• Tucks pads

• Yeast Infection

• Monistat (Miconazole Nitrate)

• Gyne-Lotrimin (Clotrimazole)

Insomnia

• Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)

• Unisom (Doxylamine)

• Tylenol PM

Contact your doctor for dosing information.

Heartburn

• Tums or Viactiv chews (Calcium Carbonate)

• Pepcid (Famotidine) for heartburn

• Gaviscon

Vaccines during pregnancy

• Tdap vaccine:

  • Given to moms to protect newborns from Pertussis.

  • Given between 27-36 weeks

• Flu vaccine: Given during flu season, September-May.

• COVID vaccine: Safe any time during pregnancy.

Skin and sun protection

• Do not use any form of Retin A (Tretinoin) during  your pregnancy.

• Stop using skin treatments the first trimester.

• Pregnancy hormones make it much more likely you will burn quickly. Use UVB/UVA sun block (50 SPF), protective clothes and umbrellas.

For dry skin, use dermatologist-approved lotions.

For itching, use diphenhydramine cream or hydrocortisone cream (over the counter).

Remember: Staying hydrated will help prevent uterine cramping.