So how do you know which drugs are safest for you and your baby-to-be? The Food and Drug Administration ranks the following as the least harmful classes of drugs during pregnancy:
Category A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
Category B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women OR Animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in any trimester.
Category C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk base on adverse reaction data from investigation or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
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Class A and B are safe to take in pregnancy.
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Class C is used if the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
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DO NOT take Aspirin or Ibuprofen (Advil) during pregnancy.
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Please see the partial list of medications/remedies below that you may take while pregnant.
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Please contact your office if your drug does not appear on this list.
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All drugs are a pregnancy category A or B, unless noted.
Allergies
Pain Relief
Tylenol
Heating pad (after 12 weeks)
Prenatal massage
Heartburn
Tums
Pepcid
Zantac
Tagamet
Prilosec - C
Nausea
Diclegis
Vitamin B6
Gaviscon
Zofran
Sea bands
Phenergan - C
Constipation
Colace
Senakot
Metamucil
Milk of Magnesia
Fibercon
Miralax
Simethicone
Diarrhea
Common Cold
Salt water garggles
Neti pot
Nasal Saline spray
Cough drops (as needed)
Guaifenesin
Robitussin - C
Mucinex - C
Sudafed - C
Iron Supplements
Itching Relief
Hydrocortisone 1% cream
Caladryl cream
Benadryl cream
Grandpa's Tar Soap
Antifungal
Monistat 3 or 7 day OTC
Nystatin - C
Terazol 7 - C
Antibiotics/Antivirals
Ampicillin
Amoxicillin
Dicloxacillin
Bactrim
Azithromycin
Clindamycin
Erythromycin
Macrobid
Keflex
Other