4/5/2018 10 Over-the-Counter Drugs to Avoid During Pregnancy - Consumer Reports

10 OTC drugs to avoid during pregnancy

Note: This chart does not list every drug to avoid during pregnancy. Always talk to your healthcare
provider before taking any drug or supplement.

Drug Found in Consumer Possible

Reports' alternative
recommendation

Aspirin Bayer; Excedrin Not recommended1 Tylenol

Migraine (acetaminophen)

Bismuth Kaopectate; Pepto Before 20 weeks: Imodium

subsalicylate Bismol Use with caution (loperamide)

After 20 weeks:
Not recommended

Bromphen- Dimetapp Cold Before 36 weeks: Claritin

iramine and Allergy Use with caution (loratadine);
Zyrtec (cetirizine)
After 36 weeks
(9th month):
Not recommended

Caffeine Anacin Regular Use with caution; To None

Strength; Excedrin reduce risk of
Extra Strength; miscarriage, do not
Excedrin Migraine exceed 200
milligrams daily,
including caffeine
from coffee, tea, or
soda.

Castor Oil — Do not take— Increase physical

unacceptable risk activity, drink
more fluids and
eat fiber-rich
foods. Consider
psyllium- based
fiber
supplements.

Chlorphen- Chlor-Trimeton; Before 36 weeks: Claritin

iramine Combination Use with caution (loratadine);
products: Advil Allergy & Zyrtec (cetirizine)
Congestion Relief; After 36 weeks
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold (9th month):
Formula; Dristan Cold Not recommended

Ibuprofen Advil, Motrin Weeks 14 to 26 Tylenol

(2nd trimester): (acetaminophen)
Use with caution

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4/5/2018 10 Over-the-Counter Drugs to Avoid During Pregnancy - Consumer Reports

Before 14 weeks
and after 27 weeks
(1st and 3rd
trimester):
Not recommended

Naproxen Aleve Weeks 14 to 26 Tylenol

(2nd trimester): (acetaminophen)
Use with caution

Before 14 weeks
and after 27 weeks
(1st and 3rd
trimester):
Not recommended

Nicotine Cigarettes and all other Not recommended; None

forms of tobacco; however the
Nicorette gum; Nicoderm benefits
CQ patches of gum or patches to
help stop smoking
may exceed
risks of smoking
during pregnancy.

Phenylephrine Products containing Before 14 weeks: Drink plenty of

and pseudo- pseudo-ephedrine2: Advil (1st trimester): fluids, consider
ephedrine* Cold & Sinus; Claritin-D; Not recommended using steam to
Sudafed 12 Hour relieve
After 14 weeks(2nd congestion, avoid
Products containing and 3rd trimester): irritants like
phenylephrine: Alka- Use with caution tobacco smoke
Seltzer Plus Day;
Sudafed PE Pressure +
Pain; Tylenol Cold Multi-
symptom; Vicks Dayquil
Cold and Flu Relief

Information from Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ eds. Drugs in pregnancy and lactation: a reference guide to
fetal and neonatal risk. 9th ed. Wolters.

1. Low-dose aspirin (40 to 150 mg daily) may be prescribed for certain conditions associated with pregnancy such
as gestational high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.

2. Sold behind the counter without a prescription.

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