Pregnancy Medication List

The following strategies over-the-counter medications may be helpful in treating symptoms during pregnancy.

Nausea

Non-pharmacologic interventions

• Avoid iron supplements until nausea symptoms resolve
• Take prenatal vitamin before bed with a snack instead of in the morning on an empty stomach
• Eat slowly and in small amounts every 1-2 hours to avoid a full stomach
• Eat before you feel hungry to avoid an empty stomach
• Eat a snack before getting out of bed in the morning
• Eliminate coffee and foods that are spicy, odorous, high fat, acidic, and very sweet
• Eat foods that are protein dominant, salty, low fat, bland, and or dry (nuts, pretzles, crackers, cereal, toast)
• Fluids are better tolerated if cold, clear, and carbonated or sour and if taken in small amounts between meals with a straw
• Drinking peppermint tea or sucking peppermint candies can reduce nausea after meals

Over the counter interventions

Constipation

Diarrhea

Acid Reflux

Tums or Rolaids

Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid, Prilosec

Sleep Disturbance

• Maintain a regular sleep schedule in a low stimuli environment
• Cut down on the amount of liquids in the hours before bedtime
• Avoid caffeine after noon
• Exercise at least 20 minutes at least a few hours before bedtime
• Place pillows between the knees, under the abdomen, and behind the back
• Avoid naps late in the day

Unisom Sleep Tabs

Benadryl

Pain and Fever

Tylenol (in as limited a number of doses as possible)

Sore Throat

Tylenol, Cepacol Lozenges or Spray

Congestion

Saline Nasal Sprays, Saline Nasal Irrigation, Ipratropium bromide 0.06% Nasal Spray, Cromolyn Sodium Nasal Spray

Use of pseudoephedrine is limited to 2nd and 3rd trimesters and only for severe congestion in patients without high blood pressure

Cough

Chlor-Trimeton, Dextromethorphan, Guaifenesin

Seasonal Allergies

Claritin, Zyrtec, Rhinocort Allergy, Flonase Allergy Relief, or Nasonex