Over the Counter Medications in Pregnancy

Changes may occur after publication; verify medication information independently.

Condition	Medication	Reference(s)
Antihistamine	Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton®)	1,3
Antiflatulent (anti-gas)	Simethicone (Mylanta®)	1
Antidiarrheals	Kaolin and pectin (Kaopectate) (DOC)	1
Cough	Cough drops	1
Constipation	Metamucil® Docusate (Colace®, Ducolax®) Polyethylene glycol (Miralax®) Milk of magnesia	4
Decongestants	Pseudophedrine — Avoid in first trimester	1,3,5
GERD / Heartburn	Calcium carbonate (Tums®) Famotidine (Pepcid®) Esomeprazole	1,6,7
Headache or Fever	Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)	1,3
Hemorrhoids	Increase fiber; Sitz baths • Tucks® pads with witch hazel • Hydrocortisone 1% cream	6,10,11
Insomnia	Doxylamine	6
Motion sickness	Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®)	9
Nasal Decongestant	Oxymetazoline (avoid >3 days) Saline nasal spray (Ocean Mist®)	1
Nausea & Vomiting in Pregnancy	Pyridoxine Ginger Doxylamine	6
Rash	Hydrocortisone 1% cream	10
Vaginal Yeast Infection	Clotrimazole (Lotrimin®) Miconazole (Monistat®) Only topical azole therapy recommended — CDC	1

Condition

Medication

Reference(s)

Antihistamine

Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton®)

1,3

Antiflatulent (anti-gas)

Simethicone (Mylanta®)

Antidiarrheals

Kaolin and pectin (Kaopectate) (DOC)

Cough

Cough drops

Constipation

Metamucil®
Docusate (Colace®, Ducolax®)
Polyethylene glycol (Miralax®)
Milk of magnesia

Decongestants

Pseudophedrine — Avoid in first trimester

1,3,5

GERD / Heartburn

Calcium carbonate (Tums®)
Famotidine (Pepcid®)
Esomeprazole

1,6,7

Headache or Fever

Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)

1,3

Hemorrhoids

Increase fiber; Sitz baths
• Tucks® pads with witch hazel
• Hydrocortisone 1% cream

6,10,11

Insomnia

Doxylamine

Motion sickness

Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine®)

Nasal Decongestant

Oxymetazoline (avoid >3 days)
Saline nasal spray (Ocean Mist®)

Nausea & Vomiting in Pregnancy

Pyridoxine
Ginger
Doxylamine

Rash

Hydrocortisone 1% cream

Vaginal Yeast Infection

Clotrimazole (Lotrimin®)
Miconazole (Monistat®)

Only topical azole therapy recommended — CDC

1. Black RA, Hill DA. Over-the-counter medications in pregnancy. Am Fam Physician. 2003;67:2517-24.

2. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 9th ed., 2011.

3. Seema H. Ledan, OTC Medications in Pregnancy. US Pharm, 2019.

4. MotherToBaby (Laxatives) — 2022.

5. Wigle PR., OTC Cough/Cold in Pregnancy. US Pharmacist, 2006.

6. GERD in Pregnancy. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012.

7. GERD treatment review. Medicine. 2022.

9. ACOG Practice Bulletin No.189 — 2018.

10. Cochrane Review — Topical Steroids in Pregnancy. 2015.

11. ACOG — Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy.