Taking Medicines during Pregnancy: Safe and Unsafe Medications

Normal pregnancy lasts for 38 to 42 weeks. However, there may be times during these weeks that you may have some physical issues such as vomiting, backache, and loose stools etc which require treatment with medicines.

Therefore, monitoring and managing these physical conditions becomes necessary to ensure a normal delivery. Management consists of both medicines and rehabilitation. Medicines are considered to be the first line of treatment; however, the health care provider needs to take care while prescribing medicines during pregnancy taking into consideration the harmful effects they can have on both – the mother and the foetus.  Medicines pass on via the placenta from the mother to the foetus. Hence, before prescribing any medicine the provider should check the possibilities of the medicine causing any congenital defect. You should avoid medicines from the time of conception till the first 10 weeks, as this is the time when the foetus is most prone to the get permanent congenital deformities. Medicines given in the later stages (after 10 weeks) may cause systemic damage. For example NSAIDs (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) may lead to problems during labour or organ defects in the foetus.

Therefore, medicines should always be avoided during pregnancy. Still there are certain medicines, which can be taken but after consulting your physician. Let’s discuss the medicines that are safe during pregnancy.

The following is a list of medicines and their effects during pregnancy:

1. Analgesic Medicines

Paracetamol	Safe
NSAIDs, such as aspirin	May cause heart abnormalities in the third trimester

2. Opiates 

Codeine	Effective in low doses
Hydrocodone	Effective in low doses
Hydromorphone	Effective in low doses

3. Anaesthetics 

Etomidate	Unknown always ask your provider
Ketamine	Avoid during the last trimester
Lorazepam	Avoid for severe conditions, safe for short periods

4. Thrombolytics - The possible advantages of this class may balance the risk during pregnancy. Common medicines used are: Alteplase, Reteplase, Streptokinase, Urokinase.

5. Antidotes

Hydroxycobalamin antidote: cyanide	Safe
Methylene blue antidote: methemoglobinemia	Has a potential risk to the mother and foetus

6. Penicillins

First generation: penicillin G, benzathine penicillin, Bicillin, penicillin VK	Safe
Second generation: oxacillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin	Safe

7. Cardiac agents

Adenosine	Safe
Digoxin	Not advised in third trimester
Lidocaine	Safe

8. Diabetes: Insulin is safe to use during diabetes.

9. Antacids

Famotidine	Low risk
Ranitidine	Safe

10. Corticosteroids: Advised for short term use

Cetirizine	Almost safe
Chlorpheniramine	Safe

Always talk to your physician in case of any complication and before taking any medicine given above.