The use of any medication in pregnancy requires a consideration of the benefits versus the risks of the specific drug. No drug should be given unless it is clearly needed and the potential benefits outweigh potential risks. Do not take herbs or health supplements without the recommendation of an obstetrician. Many of these herbs can stimulate the uterus and can be harmful to the baby. Others may contain toxic or unknown ingredients.

Common drugs that are generally considered unsafe for use in pregnancy:

• Douche
• Alcohol
• Aspirin
• Birth control pills
• Coumadin
• Dilantin
• Estrogen (Premarin)
• Heparin
• Inderal
• Kwell
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
• Progestin (Provera)
• Tetracycline

Consult your physician prior to using any of the following in pregnancy:

• Acetaminophen
• Penicillin
• Benadryl or Nytol
• Cephalosporin antibiotics:
• Keflex
• Ceftin
• Rocephin
• Cefzil
• Monocid
• Keftab
• Vantin
• Ceclor
• Duricef
• Suprax
• Chlorpheniramine
• Clindamycin vaginal cream
• Codeine
• Colace
• Dulcolax
• Milk of Magnesia
• Cough drops
• Cough syrup that contains dextromethorphan
• Demerol
• Donnagel
• Emetrol
• Tigan
• Phenergan
• Erythromycin
• Kapectolin
• Maalox
• Mylanta
• Gelusil
• Riopan
• Macrodantin
• Metronidazole
• Monistat vaginal cream:
• Medications for yeast vaginitis
• Mycelex cream
• Gyne-Lotrimin
• Lotrimin cream
• Nonprescription hemorrhoid medicines
• Rocephin
• Spectinomycin
• Sulfa drugs:
• Bactrim
• Septra
• Theophylline
• Vicks VapoRub
• Vistaril