Safe Medications for Pregnancy and Lactation
Pain, fever
- Tylenol 650-1000 mg. Every 4 hours as needed
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin) 600 mg. Every 6 hours with food.
- Occasional use is okay. Maximum three days in a row.
- Do not use Ibuprofen before 12 weeks or after 32 weeks in any amount.
Nasal congestion, sinus congestion
- Sudafed 30-60 mg. every 4-6 hours. Do not use in first trimester or during breastfeeding.
- Afrin 12 hours nasal spray at bedtime. Not more than three days in a row.
- Saline nasal spray
Allergies
- Benadryl 25 mg. Every 6-8 hours.
- Claritan daily. (Not Claritan D)
- Zyrtec 10 mg. daily.
Cough
- Robitussin DM 2-4 teaspoons every 4-6 hours as needed.
- Dextromethoraphan every 4-6 hours as needed.
- Add sudafed if your nose is dripping. Avoid in first trimester and during breastfeeding.
- Any sore throat or cough lozenge is okay.
Constipation
- Fiber products: Metamucil, Citracel, Fibercon, Benefiber.
- Stool softeners:
- Colace one tablet 2-3 times a day
- Pericolace one tablet 1-3 times a day
- Senekot one tablet 1-3 times a day (more stimulation)
- Laxatives Castor oil, mild of magnesia, ex-lax, correctal, Fleets enema okay, Miralax as directed on bottle.
Diarrhea
- Immodium liquid or capsules as directed on the box. May use after 24 hours of diarrhea. (NOT Kaopectate)
Gas
- Mylicon 80 mg. One chewable tablet after meals and at bedtime.
- Gas-Ex one chewable tablet after meals and at bedtime.
Heartburn
- Tums EX or Ultra. One to two tablets at a time. Max: 8 per day.
- Mylanta or Maalox. Take as directed on bottle. Better choice if already burning
- Zantac 75 mg. After meals and bedtime. Great drug to prevent heartburn.
- Pepcid AC for heartburn after eating.
Nausea
- Dramamine or Immitrol as directed on package.
- VitaminB6 50mg 3 t
Insomnia
- Benadryl 25-50mg. one hour before bedtime.
- Tylenol PM, Unisom, Chamomile tea, melatonin, hot bath.
Hemorrhoids
- Anusol cream, tucks pads.
Yeast Infection
- 3 day product like Monistat 3. Insert into vagina at any time in pregnancy
DO NOT use any aspirin products:
- Excedrin, Kaopectate, Nyquil, Pepto-bismol.