Pregnancy and Medication
Which drugs are safe to take when pregnant?
Some drugs have been well studied in pregnant women. Some are known to be safe (for example, penicillin), and some are known to be unsafe (for example, thalidomide).
However, for many drugs, we do not know for sure if they are safe or unsafe. So, if you are planning a pregnancy, or if you are pregnant, you should minimise your use of medication. This includes drugs that you can buy. Also, just because a drug says it is 'herbal' or 'natural' it does not necessarily mean that it is harmless or safe.
Some commonly used drugs that you can buy
- Paracetamol at normal dose is safe and useful for headaches, backache, and other aches and pains that may occur during pregnancy.
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen. You should not normally take these during pregnancy. Regular use during pregnancy may affect the large blood vessels of the developing baby.
- Laxatives. Constipation is common in pregnancy and you may need a laxative. At first it is best to try increasing the fibre in your diet and increasing the amount that you drink. If this fails then fibre supplements such as bran, ispagula and sterculia are safe. If you need something stronger, then it is best to discuss this with a doctor. Some laxatives such as docusate and lactulose may be prescribed safely for a short time.
- Antihistamines. The safest one to use in pregnancy is chlorphenamine. This is because it is the oldest, and so has a long established safety record. However, it tends to make some people drowsy. If you require an alternative then it is best to see a doctor for advice.
- Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine and xylometazoline are best avoided in the early stages of pregnancy. However, they are unlikely to be harmful if used just 'now and then'.
Drugs that you are prescribed
Always tell a doctor or dentist who prescribes you medication if you are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant.
If you already take regular medication, (for example, for epilepsy), it is important that you discuss this with a doctor before becoming pregnant. If you have an unplanned pregnancy, discuss any medication that you take with your doctor as early as possible. In some cases, the risk of taking the drug has to be balanced against the risk of not taking the drug, and your condition not being treated.
Further information
For information about drugs see www.patient.co.uk/dils.asp
© EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: June 2006 PRODIGY Validated
Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest.
Find out more about updating.
Related pages in Patient UK
Your Experience (^ top of page)
Please add your experience about this condition / medicine
View Patient Experience for 'Patient Currently Pregnant' (3 there)Health Topic information leaflets related to this topic (^ top of page)
Chickenpox Contact and Pregnancy
Ectopic Pregnancy
Epilepsy - Contraception / Preg. Issues
Healthy Start
Maternity Benefits
Pregnancy - Planning to Become Pregnant?
Pregnancy - Planning to Become Pregnant? - A summary
Pregnancy - Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy - Routine Screening Tests
Pregnancy - Sickness and Vomiting
Pregnancy and Alcohol
Pregnancy and Caffeine
Pregnancy and Diet
Pregnancy and Dyspepsia
Pregnancy and Employment
Pregnancy and Folic Acid
Pregnancy and High Blood Pressure
Pregnancy and Rubella
Pregnancy and Street Drugs
Smoking - and PregnancyDiagrams related to this topic (^ top of page)
Kickchart (diagram)Support Groups related to this topic (^ top of page)
AIMS - Association for Improvements in Maternity Services
Association of Radical Midwives
bpas - British Pregnancy Advisory Service
CareConfidential
Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood International
Eating for Pregnancy
Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Foresight
Health Healthy Start Scheme
Independent Midwives Association
LIFE (pregnancy support)
Lifeline - Pregnancy Counselling and Care
MIDIRS Informed Choice Leaflets
Multiple Births Foundation
NCT - National Childbirth Trust
Royal College of Midwives
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
Tiny Tickers
UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register
Wellbeing of Women
Women's Health ConcernPatientPlus articles related to this topic (^ top of page)
Anaemia In Pregnancy
Antenatal Infections and their Consequences
Flying with Medical Conditions
Hypertension in Pregnancy
Physiological Changes In Pregnancy
Pre-pregnancy Counselling
Renal Disease in PregnancyUK guidelines related to this topic (^ top of page)
Guidelines on Preconceptual Counselling
Guidelines on PregnancyLinks to other selected websites related to this topic (^ top of page)
Pregnancy and ChildbirthVideos related to this topic (^ top of page)
Links to online videos on PregnancyPatient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)
Recent related news items
Problem pregnancy 'autism risk'
Early pregnancy complications
Early pregnancy problems warning
No rush to lose extra baby pounds
Pregnancy warning in older womenAll news by related topic
Preconceptual Counselling news
Pregnancy newsRelated Products (^ top of page)
Patient UK Pharmacy
Clearblue Digital 2 Pregnancy Tests
Clearblue One Step Pregnancy Test
Predictor Pregnancy TestMedical equipment

Books
Healthy Pregnancy
National Childbirth Trust Book of Pregnancy, Birth and Parenthood
New Pregnancy and Birth Book
Pregnancy & Childbirth Answers (Complete)
Pregnancy (Blooming): Surviving and thriving for him and her
Pregnancy (Healthy)
Pregnancy (Understanding)
Pregnancy : British Medical Association's Family Doctor Series
Pregnancy and Birth Book (New)
Pregnancy and Post Natal Exercise video from the BBC
Pregnancy for Dummies
What to Expect the First Year
What to Expect When You're Expecting
Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)
Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites
![]() | Predictor Pregnancy Test Patient UK Pharmacy Price £10.69 |
Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control over the content of any external links above. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.
Want to advertise on this site? Find out how >>
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window







