Medications

Every medication carries with it risks and benefits. It is important to discuss with your doctor all prescriptions and non-prescription medications you are or may consider taking. This includes vitamin supplements, herbal and so called “natural” supplements. We would prefer that it not be necessary for you to take any medications during your pregnancy, however we do realize that this is not possible for many patients.

DO NOT stop any medications prescribed for significant medical problems unless you have first spoken with the physician who prescribed the medication for you and with your obstetrician. It is often far more dangerous for you and for the baby to suffer the effects of a disease than it is to take the medication used to treat the disease. If you are prescribed a medication during pregnancy, please take the entire course of the prescription.

Listed below are common conditions and medications that are thought to be safe to use on an occasional basis for these conditions. If you find that you need one of these medications frequently, please discuss with your doctor or the medical assistant.

Allergies

Actifed, Sudafed (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride), Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Tylenol Allergy

Cough/Cold

Robitussin (plain), Tylenol cold and cough, Airborne, Zicam, Mucinex

Congestion

Actifed, Sudafed, Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride)

Constipation

Metamucil, Surfak, Colace, Fibercon, Milk of Magnesia

Diarrhea

Imodium

Gas/Flatus

Mylanta, Simethicone (gas-x)

Headache/Fever

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Heartburn/Indigestion

Mylanta, Riopan, Tums (avoid Alka-Seltzer), Zantac, Tagamet, Nexium, Prevacid

Hemorrhoids

Anusol cream or suppositories, Tucks, Preparation H

Herpes

Don Burrows soaks, discuss with your doctors office a prescription for an anti-herpes prescription

Nausea

Emetrol, Start with Vitamin B6, 10-25 mg, taken 3-4 times per day. If symptoms are still bothersome, add Doxylamine (over the counter as Unisom tablets), 12.5 mg 3-4 times per day. If this does not alleviate symptoms, contact your doctor.

Sore Throat

Cepacol lozenges, warm salt-water gargles

Skin Irritation

Calamine, Caladryl, Corticaine, Lanacort, and Neosporin

Travel/Motion Sickness

Dramamine over the counter