The following medications are usually safe to take during pregnancy for the symptoms listed. Please call your provider if your symptoms are severe or do not improve with the following medications. All medications listed are available at your local pharmacy without a prescription. No herbal products are allowed during pregnancy.

Congestion
  • Plain saline nasal drops
  • Sudafed 60 mg by mouth every 4 hours as needed
  • Benadryl 25-50 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed
  • Actifed, Tylenol, Claritin, Zyrtec, Pseudoephedrine, Tylenol Cold & Sinus, Dimetapp, Mucinex, Vicks Vapor rub
  • Do not take any medications that contain Phenylephrine
Constipation
  • Dulcolax 10 mg by mouth or one suppository per rectum as needed
  • Increase water (60-80 oz/day) and fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) intake
  • Citrucel/Metamucil/Fiberall/Benefiber as needed
  • If these measures do not help, add in milk of magnesia or Miralax as needed
Cough
  • Robitussin 10cc by mouth every 4 hours as needed
  • Triaminic as directed
Diarrhea (if your temperature is <100.4)

Call your primary care phsyician if diarrhea lasts 48 hours or more and/or is bloody

  • Lomotil 2 tablets by mouth every 6 hours as needed
  • Immodium 2 mg by mouth after loose bowel movement (max 16 per day)
  • Clear liquids for 24 hours (Pedialyte, Gatorade, Coconut Water)
Headache/Muscle Aches and Pain
  • Tylenol 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed
  • Do not take aspirin, aleve, motrin, ibuprofen, or naprosyn unless directed by your physician
Heartburn
  • Tums/Maalox/Mylanta by mouth as directed
  • Pepcid, Pepcid Complete, Pepcid AC, Zantac, Tagamet, Prilosec OTC, or Mylicon by mouth as directed
Insomnia
  • Benadryl 25-50 mg by mouth at bedtime as needed
Sore Throat
  • Tylenol 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed
  • Chloraseptic spray or equivalent
  • Lozenges
  • Gargle with warm salt water several times a day
Nausea and Vomiting

There are also good prescription medications. Please call the office to discuss your options with a nurse. Call the office if vomiting persists more than 24 hours.

  • Clear liquids for 24 hours
First trimester: Nausea and Vomiting Tips

Symptoms will usually improve after 12 weeks.

  • Snack frequently
  • Sip on water or electrolyte drinks throughout the day (Gatorade or coconut water) 
  • Focus on bland, carbohydrate-based foods
  • Incorporating citrus drinks or candy can be helpful (Lemonade, sour or ginger candy, gingle ale, or tea)
Painful Urination

Please call the office in the event of painful urination.

Flu: Exposure or Infection

Please call the office if you believe you have been exposed or infected with the Flu. Tamiflu is safe to take during pregnancy.

Dental Work
  • Tylenol 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed Local anesthetic (Novocaine / Lidocaine without epinephrine) is safe to use for fillings or other dental work.