Pregnancy and Medicines Summary Not all medicines are safe to take when you are pregnant. Some medicines can harm your baby. That includes over-the-counter or prescription drugs, herbs, and supplements. Always speak with your health care provider before you start or stop any medicine. Not using medicine that you need may be more harmful to you and your baby than using the medicine. For example, many pregnant women take prescription medicines for health problems like diabetes, asthma, seizures, and heartburn. The decision about whether or not to take a medicine depends on the risks and benefits. You and your health care provider should make this choice together. Pregnant women should not take regular vitamins. They may have too much or too little of the vitamins that you need. There are special vitamins for pregnant women. It is important to take 0.4 mg of folic acid every day before you become pregnant through the first part of your pregnancy. Folic acid helps to prevent birth defects of the baby’s brain or spine. Food and Drug Administration National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Specifics Allergy Medications and Pregnancy: What’s Safe? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Antibiotics and Pregnancy: What’s Safe? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Antidepressants: Safe during Pregnancy? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Aspirin during Pregnancy: Is It Safe? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Asthma Medications and Pregnancy National Jewish Health Benzodiazepines and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Birth Control Pills: Harmful in Early Pregnancy? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Bisphosphonate Treatment and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Carbamazepine (Tegretol) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Ciprofloxacin and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Citalopram/Escitalopram (Celexa/Lexapro) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and Cancer National Cancer Institute Diphenhydramine and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Docusate Sodium and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Etanercept (Enbrel) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Fluconazole and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Fluoxetine (Prozac) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Ibuprofen and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICSs) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Isotretinoin (Accutane) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Isotretinoin and Other Retinoids During Pregnancy March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Lithium and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Loratadine and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Metformin and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Methotrexate and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Metronidazole (Flagyl) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Miconazole/Clotrimazole and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Montelukast (Singulair) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists New Recommendations for Mefloquine Use in Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Paroxetine (Paxil) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Phentermine and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Prednisone/Prednisolone and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Pregnancy Constipation: Are Stool Softeners Safe? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Risk of Oral Clefts (Cleft Lip and/or Palate) in Infants Born to Mothers Taking Topamax (Topiramate) Food and Drug Administration Sertraline (Zoloft) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Bactrim or Septra) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Tetracycline and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Thalidomide and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Topical Acne Treatments and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Trazodone (Desyrel) and Nefazodone (Serzone) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Valproic Acid and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Venlafaxine (Effexor) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Women with Epilepsy: Drug Risks and Safety During Pregnancy American Academy of Neurology Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Treatments and Therapies Echinacea Preparations and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Men Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Paternal Exposures and Pregnancy Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Statistics and Research How Much Do We Know about the Most Common Medicines Used during Pregnancy? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Opioid Use and Neural Tube Defects Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pregnancy Registries Food and Drug Administration Research of Medication Use during Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Use of Medications in Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related Issues Immunization for Women American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Index to Drug-Specific Information Food and Drug Administration Prescription Opioids during Pregnancy March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Registries Help Moms Measure Medication Risks Food and Drug Administration Start Here Medication Use during Pregnancy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Medicine and Pregnancy Food and Drug Administration Pregnancy and Medicines Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Prescription Drugs, Over-the-Counter Drugs, Supplements and Herbal Products March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Journal Articles Pregnancy and Medicines
