Pregnancy And Medication: Navigating Safe Options For Mother And Baby

Taking medication during pregnancy can be complicated. It's important to consult a doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider before taking any medication, as some drugs can harm a developing baby or cause a miscarriage or stillbirth.

Some medications that are considered safe to take during pregnancy include:

- Prenatal vitamins

- Budesonide steroid nasal spray (Rhinocort)

- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

- Loratadine (Claritin)

- Acetaminophen (in the lowest possible dose and for the shortest amount of time)

- Paracetamol

- Saline nasal drops or spray

- Hydrocortisone cream or ointment

- Ginger root capsules

It's important to remember that even “natural remedies may not be safe during pregnancy, and over-the-counter medications should generally be avoided unless necessary. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any medication during pregnancy.

Safe over-the-counter medications during pregnancy

It is important to consult a doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy, as some drugs can harm a developing baby or cause a miscarriage or stillbirth. Generally, you should not take any over-the-counter (OTC) medication while pregnant unless it is necessary. That said, the following OTC medications are considered safe to take during pregnancy:

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Loratadine (Claritin)
• Budesonide steroid nasal spray (Rhinocort)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) – if taken at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest amount of time needed
• Saline nasal drops or spray
• Warm salt/water gargle
• Caladryl lotion or cream
• Hydrocortisone cream or ointment
• Oatmeal bath (Aveeno)

Some other medications may be safe to take during pregnancy with a doctor's approval, such as certain antidepressants, lithium for bipolar disorder, and fluconazole (Diflucan) for yeast infections. Prenatal vitamins are also safe and important to take when pregnant.

Safe prescription medications during pregnancy

When it comes to taking medication during pregnancy, it's important to consult your doctor, midwife, pharmacist, or another healthcare professional. They will be able to advise you on what medications are safe and what medications you should avoid. It's also important to inform your healthcare providers if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, especially if you are taking any prescription medications.

Antidepressants

Certain antidepressants can be taken during pregnancy with the approval of your doctor. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.

Bipolar Disorder

Lithium (Lithobid) is a prescription medication used to treat bipolar disorder. While it is classified as a Pregnancy Category D medication due to its potential to cause heart defects in the fetus, your doctor may advise continuing or discontinuing the medication depending on your specific circumstances.

Seizures

Phenytoin (Dilantin) is a medication used to treat seizures that can be taken during pregnancy under medical supervision. Other anti-seizure medications, such as carbamazepine and valproic acid, may be considered unsafe due to their association with birth defects.

Asthma

Albuterol (Ventolin) is a medication used to treat asthma that is generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, it is always best to consult your doctor before taking any medication while pregnant.

Yeast Infections

Fluconazole (Diflucan) is a medication used to treat yeast infections that is safe to take during pregnancy.

Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are not only safe but also important to take during pregnancy. They provide essential nutrients for both the mother and the developing baby.

It is important to note that no drug can be considered 100% safe during pregnancy, and the benefits of taking a particular medication should always be weighed against the potential risks to the fetus. Additionally, alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, acupressure, and ginger root, can be effective in relieving some of the uncomfortable side effects of pregnancy.

Medications to avoid during pregnancy

It is always best to consult a doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy. That being said, here is a list of medications that are generally considered unsafe to take during pregnancy:

• Isotretinoin (Accutane, Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, Zenatane)
• Thalidomide (Thalomid)
• Aspirin (unless specifically prescribed by a doctor)
• Retinoids, such as tretinoin (Retin-A) or adapalene (Differin)
• Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) and other blood thinners
• Lisinopril (Zestril) and other blood pressure medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol) and other anti-seizure medications
• Lipitor and other statins
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin
• Tetracycline antibiotics, such as doxycycline (Doryx) and minocycline (Minocin)
• Codeine and other opioids
• Clonazepam (Klonopin) and other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan)
• Chloramphenicol
• Primaquine
• Sulfonamides
• Trimethoprim (Primsol)
• Methotrexate
• Valproic acid

Alternative treatments during pregnancy

Alternative treatments are often sought by pregnant women who are concerned about the side effects of medicines on their unborn child. While some natural techniques and products are safe to use during pregnancy, it is important to remember that not all are, and some can even be harmful to you and your baby. It is always best to consult your healthcare provider before taking any alternative treatments during pregnancy.

Safe Alternative Treatments During Pregnancy

• Relaxation techniques
• Patterned breathing (Lamaze)
• Acupuncture/acupressure
• Chiropractic manipulation
• Massage
• Exercise
• Hypnosis
• Warm baths
• Relaxation techniques
• Emotional support
• Self-hypnosis
• Ginger root (250mg capsules 4 times a day)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, 25mg two or three times a day)

Alternative Treatments to Avoid During Pregnancy

• Chinese angelica (Dong Quai)
• Saint John's Wort
• Large doses of vitamin A
• Aromatherapy essential oils: calamus, mugwort, pennyroyal, sage, wintergreen, basil, hyssop, myrrh, marjoram, and thyme

Safe medications during breastfeeding

While breastfeeding, it is always best to inform your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider that you are breastfeeding when discussing medicines. Small amounts of any medicine you take may pass through your breast milk to your baby, but generally, the amounts are very low and very few medicines are unsafe.

According to Dr Thomas Hale, author of Medications and Mother's Milk, "most drugs do not enter milk in levels that are hazardous to a breastfed infant." However, it is important to check reliable sources for up-to-date, research-based information.

• If a medication is commonly prescribed for infants, it is likely safe to take while nursing, as your baby would generally receive a lower dose from breast milk than from taking the medication directly.
• Medications considered safe to take during pregnancy are, with a few exceptions, also safe to take while nursing.
• Only take a medicine if you really need it. Consider alternative, non-drug therapies if possible.
• Take the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time.
• Avoid extra-strength formulas, "sustained-release" or "extended-release" preparations, and medicines taken only once or twice a day.
• When possible, use single-ingredient medications rather than multi-symptom formulas.
• Always read the medicine label and package insert for any precautions or warnings about taking the drug while breastfeeding.

Some medications that are considered safe to take while breastfeeding include:

• Vitamins (but only at the recommended dose)
• The painkiller paracetamol (acetaminophen)
• Most over-the-counter pain medication that is safe for the infant if it is safe for the nursing parent during pregnancy, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. However, ibuprofen and naproxen should be avoided in infants with congenital heart disease.
• Low doses of oxycodone or hydrocodone are generally safe when used for short-term pain relief while breastfeeding.
• Most cold medicines are safe while breastfeeding, especially if you take them short-term and only when needed. Some medications that are safe include expectorants that contain guaifenesin and cough suppressants that contain dextromethorphan.
• Second-generation allergy medications and antihistamines are also safe to take while breastfeeding, including cetirizine, fexofenadine, fluticasone, and loratadine.
• Most antibiotics are safe with breastfeeding, but you should always tell your physician if you are breastfeeding before taking any antibiotics. Some antibiotics should be avoided in infants with jaundice, in the first weeks of life, and if they were born preterm.
• Birth control is safe to use while breastfeeding, but estrogen-containing birth control can affect your milk supply.
• There are many safe options for nursing parents needing treatment for postpartum depression or other mood disorders that are compatible with breastfeeding.

It is important to note that some medications may decrease your breast milk supply, and some may cause side effects in your baby. If you notice any negative side effects in your baby, such as changes in their mental status, skin irritation, or increased fatigue and sleepiness, seek medical attention.

Frequently asked questions