OTC Meds for Pregnant Patients
Please note: take the minimum amount of drug needed, not to exceed the dose and frequency per label directions!
Pain Relief
- Heating pad (not to abdomen)
- Tylenol®/Acetaminophen
- Tylenol® PM
- Topical analgesia – IcyHot®, Bengay®, Biofreeze®
Heartburn/Reflux
- Bland diet
- Maalox®
- Tums®
- Rolaids®
- Pepcid®/Famotidine
- Tagamet®/Cimetidine
- Prescription – i.e. Nexium®, Protonix® (available in some cases and considered safe)
Constipation
- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily
- Fiber
- Citrucel®
- Metamucil®
- Benefiber®
- Dulcolax®
- Glycerin suppository
- Milk of Magnesia®
- Colace®/Docusate
- Peri-Colace®
- Magnesium citrate (120-240 mL)
Nausea and Vomiting
- Eat small frequent meals/snacks
- Bland foods, high protein diet, avoid fatty foods
- Snacks at bedside table (i.e. crackers/ginger cookies) – eat before rising
- Peppermint
- Lemon drops
- Ginger
- Vitamin B6/Pyridoxine (25mg three times daily as needed)
- Unisom® (12.5mg 1-2 times daily, start at bedtime due to drowsiness)
- P6 Acupressure wrist band (Sea-Bands®)
- Benadryl®/Diphenhydramine
- Dramamine®/Dimenhydrinate
- Emetrol®
- Prescription – if unrelieved by above, discuss this with your physician
Diarrhea
- Bland diet and plenty of clear liquids
- Donnagel®
- Imodium®/Loperamide
Yeast Infection
- Best to use an over-the-counter 7-day cream like Monistat7® or Gyne-Lotrimin®
- Discuss with a physician if symptoms not resolved
Hemorrhoids
- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily
- Fiber (in your diet or by supplements)
- Avoid straining for bowel movements
- Preparation H®
- Anusol-HC®
- Tucks® Pads
- Sitz Baths
Colds/Upper Respiratory Issues/Allergies
- Hot tea with honey, lemon, and/or ginger
- Throat lozenges/spray
- Vicks® VapoRub®
- Over-the-counter meds with Guaifenesin (i.e. Robitussin®) or Dextromethorphan (i.e. Delsym®)
- Saline or Afrin® nasal sprays, nasal irrigation
- Mucinex®
- Chlor-Trimeton®/Chlorpheniramine
- Zyrtec®, Allegra®, Claritin®
- Best to avoid medications containing Phenylephrine or Pseudoephedrine
Sore Throat
- Throat lozenges/spray
- Hot tea (honey, lemon, ginger)
- Cold medications as above