Medicines Approved for Pregnancy
Don't Just Suffer With the Flu During Pregnancy!
Jennifer Roberts was miserable - eight weeks pregnant and in bed with the flu. "I felt like I was stuck," she says. "I thought I couldn't take anything, that I just had to suffer."
That's typical, according to Dr. Melissa Edwards. "Most women are so concerned about harming their baby, they don't take any medications," she says. "But in fact, a number of over-the-counter meds are safe for pregnant women and effective against cold and flu symptoms.
"A number of over-the-counter medications are effective and safe for pregnant women," says Dr. Melissa Edwards. "It is so important for women to treat fevers during pregnancy," Dr. Edwards says. "Prolonged high fevers in early pregnancy can interfere with fetal development. Be sure to use Tylenol, not aspirin or ibuprofen."
Dr. Edwards also says to avoid any medications that contain alcohol including NyQuil and some cough syrups. "The list of approved medications is also safe for nursing mothers," Dr. Edwards says.
If you have any questions, call your obstetrician or ask your pharmacist which over-the-counter medications are acceptable.
Headache / Sinus Headache
Antibiotics
Cough
Allergies / Sinus
Jennifer Roberts was miserable - eight weeks pregnant and in bed with the flu. "I felt like I was stuck," she says. "I thought I couldn't take anything, that I just had to suffer."
That's typical, according to Dr. Melissa Edwards. "Most women are so concerned about harming their baby, they don't take any medications," she says. "But in fact, a number of over-the-counter meds are safe for pregnant women and effective against cold and flu symptoms.
"A number of over-the-counter medications are effective and safe for pregnant women," says Dr. Melissa Edwards. "It is so important for women to treat fevers during pregnancy," Dr. Edwards says. "Prolonged high fevers in early pregnancy can interfere with fetal development. Be sure to use Tylenol, not aspirin or ibuprofen."
Dr. Edwards also says to avoid any medications that contain alcohol including NyQuil and some cough syrups. "The list of approved medications is also safe for nursing mothers," Dr. Edwards says.
If you have any questions, call your obstetrician or ask your pharmacist which over-the-counter medications are acceptable.
Headache / Sinus Headache
- Tylenol
- Sudafed - in 2nd and 3rd trimester (pseudoephedrine)
Antibiotics
- Penicillin
- Ampicillin
- Amoxicillin
- Erythromycin
- Azithromycin (zithromax)
- Cephalosporins
Cough
- Chlorpheniramine
- Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM)
- Guaifenesin
- Hydrocodone (prescription)
Allergies / Sinus
- Claritin
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
