Tylenol (including Extra Strength Tylenol) is safe at any time during the pregnancy in its usual dose. We do not recommend other pain relievers such as Advil, Aleve or aspirin.

Over-the-counter antacids are safe in pregnancy. Either the liquids (such as Maalox or Mylanta), chewable tablets (such as Tums or Rolaids) or acid reducers (such as Pepcid AC or Zantac 75) are acceptable.

For nausea and vomiting of early pregnancy ("morning sickness"), the over-the-counter sleeping pill Unisom often has an Anti-nausea effect, although it may make you sleepy. You may take 1/2 to 1 tablet at night. This often has a residual effect into the next day. You may also take a 1/2 tablet in the morning if necessary. Vitamin B6 25 mg three times a day (brand name Nestrex) may also be helpful for morning sickness. Prenatal vitamins and iron can cause nausea. You may need to substitute your prenatal vitamin temporarily with a children's chewable vitamin with folic acid. You should take at least 0.8 mg of folic acid daily. Frequent small meals often help with morning sickness as well as ginger tea, acupuncture, motion sickness bands or hypnosis. You may also find Emetrol to be helpful.

Over-the-counter cold medicines are fine during any stage of the pregnancy. However, we do not recommend cold syrups that have alcohol in them or combination cold preparations which have Advil or aspirin in them. The following are suggested medications for cold or flu symptoms:

Cough-Robitussin or Robitussin DM
Constipation-Colace
Diarrhea-Kaopectate or Imodium
Fever-Tylenol
Muscle Aches-Tylenol
Nasal Congestion or Sinus Pain or Pressure-Sudafed or nasal sprays
Sore Throat-any throat lozenge
Runny Nose-any over-the-counter antihistamine

Most antibiotics are also safe during pregnancy. However, feel free to check with us if you need to take any prescription medication just to make sure.

This information is provided as a resource onlyand not intented to be a recommendation or a substitute for consultationwith your physician regarding your health and needs.