What medications are safe during pregnancy?

It’s an important question—and one that doesn’t always have a simple yes-or-no answer.

Some medications can be used during pregnancy, while others may not be recommended or may need to be changed depending on your stage of pregnancy, health history and individual needs.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your Eastern Iowa Health Center Women’s Health provider about all medications and supplements you take.

Don’t Stop a Prescription Medication on Your Own

Finding out you’re pregnant may make you wonder whether you should immediately stop medications you’re already taking.

Talk with your healthcare provider before stopping a prescription medication.

Some medications may need to be changed during pregnancy, but suddenly stopping treatment for certain health conditions can also create risks for you or your pregnancy.

Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the benefits and potential risks and determine the safest approach for you.

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Make sure your healthcare team knows about everything you take, including:

• Prescription medications

• Over-the-counter medications

• Pain relievers

• Cold, cough and allergy medicines

• Vitamins and minerals

• Prenatal vitamins

• Herbal products

• Dietary supplements

• Sleep aids

• Topical medications and creams

If you’re unsure whether something counts as a medication or supplement, tell us about it anyway.

Consider bringing your medication bottles, a written medication list or photos of the labels to your prenatal appointment.

What About Over-the-Counter Medicine?

“Available without a prescription” does not automatically mean a medication is appropriate at every stage of pregnancy.

Before taking a new over-the-counter medicine, check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

This is especially important with combination cold, flu or allergy products because one product may contain several active ingredients.

Does the Timing During Pregnancy Matter?

It can.

Your baby develops throughout pregnancy, and the potential effects of a medication may vary depending on when during pregnancy it is taken, how much is taken and for how long.

That’s another reason medication decisions should be individualized rather than based on a simple online list of medicines labeled “safe” or “unsafe.”

What If I Took Medicine Before I Knew I Was Pregnant?

Don’t panic.

Many people take prescription or over-the-counter medications before realizing they are pregnant.

Write down the medication, dose and approximately when you took it, if you know. Then talk with your healthcare provider.

Your provider can review the available information and help determine whether any additional follow-up is needed.

What About Vitamins, Supplements & Herbal Products?

Tell your healthcare provider about these too.

Products labeled “natural” are not automatically safe during pregnancy, and supplements can contain ingredients that haven’t been well studied during pregnancy or may interact with medications.

Your healthcare provider can help you determine which supplements are appropriate for you.

Learn more: Prenatal Vitamins: What You Need to Know

What About Alcohol, Cannabis & Other Substances?

Be open with your healthcare provider about alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, recreational drugs or other substances you may be using.

This information helps your healthcare team provide appropriate care for you and your pregnancy.

If you need help reducing or stopping substance use, talk with us. Your healthcare team can help connect you with appropriate support and resources.

Where Can I Find Reliable Medication Information?

There’s a lot of conflicting information online about medications and pregnancy.

Your Eastern Iowa Health Center provider and pharmacist should be your first resources for questions about your individual medications.

For additional evidence-based information, MotherToBaby provides patient-friendly information about hundreds of medications, supplements and other exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Before You Take It, Ask

The goal isn’t to avoid every medication during pregnancy. It’s to make sure the medications you need are being used appropriately and that your healthcare team knows what you’re taking.

Before starting, stopping or changing a prescription medication, over-the-counter medicine or supplement during pregnancy, talk with your healthcare provider.