Medications and diet
During pregnancy, it is important to consider how what you eat and drink, and what medications you take could affect your unborn baby. No amount of alcohol or illegal drug use is safe during pregnancy. This page lists common over-the-counter medications safe to take during pregnancy, as well as foods to avoid during pregnancy. If you ever have questions about what is safe to eat or what medicines are safe to take while you are pregnant, call our office between 8:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday using the numbers below:
- Charlotte: 704-973-2106
- Matthews: 704-246-1846
- Ballantyne: 704-731-1014
Medications safe to take during pregnancy, listed by ailment
| Common Cold and Head Congestion |
Tylenol (regular or extra-strength), Sudafed decongestant, Sinutab (regular strength), Actifed (regular strength), Coricidin HBP, Chlortrimeton, Tylenol Allergy Sinus, Benadryl, saline nasal spray, Vicks VapoRub, Zyrtec, Tylenol Sinus Nighttime, Claritin, Claritin D |
| Cough |
Robitussin (plain, DM or CF), Triaminic, Delsym, cough drops |
| Sore Throat |
Tylenol Chloraseptic Spray, Cepacol Lozenges, Anbesol |
| Nausea |
Emetrol, Dramamine, Sea Bands |
| Sleep/Insomnia |
Tylenol PM, Benadryl, Unisom |
| Gas |
Gas-X, Lactaid, Phazyme |
| Indigestion/Heartburn |
Rolaids, Tums, Mylanta, Maalox, Zantac, Pepcid AC, Imodium, Kaopectate |
| Diarrhea |
Immodium AD, Kaopectate, Donnagel |
| Constipation |
Colace, Metamucil, Hydrocil, Dialose Plus, FiberCon, Citracil, Benefiber, Miralax |
| Hemorrhoids |
Anusol HC, Preparation H, Tucks Pads |
| Headache |
Tylenol (regular or extra strength) |
| Leg Cramps |
Tums |
| Acne |
Proactiv, Phisoderm |
| Itching |
Benadryl Cream, 1% hydrocortisone ointment, Rhulagel (for poison ivy) |
Foods to avoid during pregnancy
It is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet while you are pregnant. While most foods are safe for your growing baby, there are a few types of food it it wise to avoid:
- Unpasteurized milks or cheeses
- Unpasteurized juices
- Fish high in mercury including shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish
- Sushi or other raw fish or undercooked fish or meat
- Undercooked eggs or raw eggs
- Refrigerated smoked seafood such as lox
- Refrigerated pates and meat spreads
- Raw pre-stuffed poultry
Eat these foods only in limited amounts:
- Canned tuna or tuna steak
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Salmon
- Catfish
- Cod
- Tilapia
- Hot dogs and processed deli meats UNLESS heated until steaming
- Foods and drinks containing caffeine