Women who are between 4 and 12 weeks pregnant may safely take the following over-the-counter medications. Follow all directions on the container for adult dosage/use. Problem | Over the Counter | Call Your Care Provider for: | Morning sickness | Vitamin B6: take 50 mg/day to start; if not helpful, increase by 50 mg 2 to 4 times/day until you reach a total of 200 mg/day. Do not take more than 200 mg each day. Increase fluids. | Persistent vomiting; weight loss or inability to tolerate fluids for 24 hours | Mild headaches / general aches & pains | Try comfort measures. Acetominophen (Tylenol) | Severe and/or persistent headaches | Nasal congestion due to a cold, sinusitis or allergies | Ocean Mist nasal spray | |
Women who are more than 12 weeks pregnant may safely take the following over-the-counter medications. Follow all directions on the container for adult dosage/use. Problem | Over the Counter | Call Your Care Provider for: | Nasal congestion due to a cold, sinusitis or allergies | Afrin nasal spray, Ocean Mist nasal spray | | Cough due to minor throat irritation | Robitussin (or other brand of Guaifenesin), Robitussin DM or non-alcohol cough syrup (not to exceed 1 week’s use) | Persistent cough | Nasal congestion and cough | Triaminic DM (or other brand of alcohol-free and antihistamine-free decongestant and antitussive) | | Sore throat | Alcohol-free lozenges, such as Chloraseptic | Severe or persistent sore throat | Mild to moderate diarrhea | Donnagel chewable tablets, Kaopectate | Diarrhea that persists for two days, is accompanied by a fever or is severe | Constipation | Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia | Severe straining | Heartburn | Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, papaya tablets taken with meals | No relief | Gas | Papaya tablets with meals, capsules of activated charcoal, Gas-X, Gelusil | | Hemorrhoids | Chilled witch hazel packs, sitz baths, Anusol HC | Bleeding or severe pain | Insomnia | Catnip tea, warm bath and a good book! 50 mg vitamin B6, warm milk and a turkey sandwich | |
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