Pregnancy Warnings

Drugs Safe In Pregnancy Chart

Although some medicines are considered safe during pregnancy, the effects of other medicines on your unborn baby are unknown. Certain medicines can be most harmful to a developing baby when taken during the first three months of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

Available data indicate that more than 50% of pregnant women take prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs or use social drugs (such as tobacco and alcohol) or illicit drugs at some time during pregnancy, and use of drugs during pregnancy is increasing. In general, drugs should not be used during pregnancy unless necessary because many can harm the fetus. Less than 2 to 3% of all birth defects result from drugs that are taken to treat a disorder or symptom.

FDA Categorization Of Drugs For Use In Pregnancy

CategoryDescription
AAdequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not shown an increased risk of fetal abnormalities.
BAnimal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus; however, there are no adequate and wellcontrolled studies in pregnant women. Or
Animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.
CAnimal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Or
No animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
DStudies, adequate well-controlled or observational, in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy may outweigh the potential risk.
XStudies, adequate well-controlled or observational, in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. The use of the product is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant.

 

Which medications are safe for use during pregnancy?

The chart below lists the OTC medications that are considered low risk for pregnant women when taken occasionally to treat a mild illness. We’ve listed some brand names as examples, but there are many more on the market.

ProblemSafe medicine to take when pregnant
Heartburn, gas and bloating, upset stomachAntacids for heartburn (Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Tums) Simethicone for gas pains (Gas-X, Maalox Anti-Gas, Mylanta Gas, Mylicon)
Cough or coldGuaifenesin, an expectorant (Hytuss, Mucinex, Naldecon Senior EX, Robitussin) Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant (Benylin Adult, Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough, Scot-Tussin DM, Vicks 44 Cough Relief) Guaifenesin plus dextromethorphan (Benylin Expectorant, Robitussin DM, Vicks 44E) Cough drops Vicks VapoRub Not safe to take: Cold remedies that contain alcohol The decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, which can affect blood flow to the placenta
Pain relief, headache, and feverAcetaminophen (Anacin Aspirin-Free, Tylenol, Shake That Ache!)
Allergy reliefChlorpheniramine, an antihistamine (Chlor-Trimeton allergy tablets) Loratadine, an antihistamine (Alavert, Claritin, Tavist ND, Triaminic Allerchews) Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine (Banophen, Benadryl, Diphenhist, Genahist)
Constipation, hemorrhoids, and diarrheaPsyllium (Konsyl-D, Metamucil, Modane Bulk, Perdiem) Polycarbophil (Equalactin, Fiber-Lax, FiberNorm, Konsyl, Mitrolan) Methylcellulose (Citrucel, UniFiber) Other laxatives and stool softeners (Colace, Dulcolax, Maltsupex, Move It Along!, milk of magnesia) Hemorrhoid creams (Anusol, Preparation H, Tucks) Loperamide, antidiarrheal medication (Imodium, Kaopectate II, Maalox Total Relief, Pepto Diarrhea Control)
Yeast infections and other fungal infections such as athlete’s footClotrimazole (Cruex, Gyne-Lotrimin 3, Lotrimin AF, Mycelex-7) Miconazole (Desenex, Femizol-M, Micatin, Monistat 3) Terbinafine (Lamisil AT) Tioconazole (Monistat 1, Vagistat-1) Butoconazole (Femstat 3, Mycelex-3) Butenafine (Lotrimin Ultra) Tolnaftate (Absorbine Athlete’s Foot Cream, Absorbine Footcare, Genaspor, Tinactin) Not safe to take: Certain Cruex, Desenex, and FungiCure products that may contain antifungal agents not listed here  and should not be used during pregnancy. Check labels carefully and avoid any products containing active ingredients not listed here.
InsomniaDiphenhydramine (Benadryl, Maximum Strength Unisom SleepGels, Nytol, Sominex, Eazzze the Pain!) Doxylamine succinate (Unisom SleepTabs)
ItchingHydrocortisone (Cortaid, Lanacort)
Cuts and scrapesPolysporin

 

Commonly Used Drugs In Pregnancy and Their Categories

DrugsCategory
Analgesics and AntipyreticsB and C
Acetaminophen B
 PhenacetinB
Aspirin C
AntiemeticsB and C
 DoxylamineB
 MeclizineB
 CyclizineB
 DimenhydrinateB
AntibioticsB, C and D
 Penicillin, Ampicillin, Amoxycillin,B
 Cloxacillin CephalosporinsB
 ErythromycinB
 GentamicinC
Amikacin C/D
 StreptomycinD
 SulphonamidesB/D
 TetracyclinesD
AmoebicidesB
Metronidazole 
AnthelmenticsB
 Piperazine
 Mebendazole
AntimalarialsC
AntifungalsC
Anti TB DrugsB and C
 EthambutolB
 INHC
 RifampicinC
 PyrazinamideC
 PASC
Vitamins
 B,C,D,E,folic acidA
Hormones
 ThyroxinA
 AndrogensX
 EstrogensX
 Progestogens-
 HydroxyprogestroneD
 MedroxyprogestroneD
 NorethindroneX
 NorgestrelX
 BronchodilatorsC

Medications Contraindicated In Pregnancy

DrugComments
Vitamin A and its derivatives including isotretinein, accutane and etretinate.Significant risk of spontaneous abortion and risk of many significant anomalies.
ACE inhibitorsMay cause kidney damage in the fetus when used in II and III trimester, decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid and deformities of face, limbs and lungs.
Anticoagulants- warfarinUse during I trimester produces defects like nasal hypoplasia and a depressed nasal bridge; termed as Fetal warfarin Syndrome. Use during II and III trimesters is associated with increased risk of fetal malformations.
– HeparinSafe but if taken for long time osteoporosis and decrease in number of platelets in pregnant women occurs.
Estrogen and AndrogensGenital tract malformations.
Thyroid preparations-
MethimazoleOveractive and enlarged Thyroid gland
CarbimazoleOveractive and enlarged Thyroid gland
Radioactive iodineUnderactive Thyroid gland in fetus
PropylthiouracilSafe.
Anticonvulsants-
CarbamazepineRisk of birth defects
Phenytoin, PhenobarbitoneBleeding problem in the newborn which can be prevented if a pregnant woman takes Vit. K by mouth every day for a month before delivery or if the newborn baby is given an injection of Vit. K soon after birth.
Risk of birth defects.
TrimethadioneIncreased risk of miscarriage in the women
Sodium valproateIncreased risk of birth defects in fetus; including a cleft palate and abnormalities of the heart, face, skull, hands or abdominal organs.
Antidepressants– LithiumBirth defects (mainly of the heart), lethargy, decreased muscle tone, underactivity of Thyroid gland and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in the new born. Ebstein’s anomaly (tricuspid valve malformation) has been reported in a number of foetuses exposed to this drug.
NSAIDs
Aspirin and other SalicylatesDelay in start of labor, premature closing of ductus arteriosus, jaundice, brain damage in the fetus and bleeding problems in the woman during and after delivery and in the newborn.
Antibiotics– TetracyclineSlowed bone growth, permanent yellowing of the teeth and increased susceptibility to cavities in the body.
ChloramphenicolGray Baby Syndrome.
CiprofloxacinPossibility of joint abnormalities (seen in animals)
Kanamycin and StreptomycinDamage to fetus’s ear resulting in deafness (risk of ototoxicity)
SulfonamidesJaundice and brain damage in newborn
Antineoplastic agents-
BusulfanBirth defects such as less than expected growth before birth, underdevelopment of lower jaw, cleft palate, abnormal development of skull bones, spinal defects, ear defects and club foot.
Chlorambucil
Cyclophosphamide
Methotrexate
Oral Hypoglycemic drugsA very low level of sugar in the blood of newborn. Inadequate control of diabetes in the pregnant woman
Chlorpropamide
Tolbutamide

Are natural or alternative remedies safe to use during pregnancy?

Just because a product is labeled “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe to take during pregnancy. Like any drug, some natural remedies are considered low risk in pregnancy and some aren’t.

The biggest challenge with determining the safety and effectiveness of natural or alternative remedies is that many haven’t yet been studied in pregnant or breastfeeding women, so the risks are simply unknown. Also, many natural and homeopathic remedies aren’t well regulated, so it’s difficult to know exactly what’s in them.

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Dr. Oche Otorkpa PG Cert, MPH, PhD

Dr. Oche is a seasoned Public Health specialist who holds a post graduate certificate in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, an MPH, and a PhD both from Texila American University. He is a member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK. He authored two books: "The Unseen Terrorist," published by AuthorHouse UK, and "The Night Before I Killed Addiction."
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