Here's What Pregnant Women Should Know About Over-The-Counter Drugs

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Women are not quite sure whether or not to take over-the-counter (OTC) drugs during pregnancy. A recent study published in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy suggests that up to three-fourths of women silently suffer minor injuries during pregnancy because they are concerned that OTC drugs could be harmful to their babies.

It has also been found that paracetamol or ibuprofen based medicines and antihistamines are best being avoided even if they don’t cause any harm to the mother or the baby.

Here are six things you need to know about OTC drugs during pregnancy:

In This Article

1. Paracetamol Is Often Recommended During Pregnancy

Paracetamol is usually safe during pregnancy to get relief from fever or pain (1). There is no direct evidence suggesting that paracetamol is harmful to the fetus. Paracetamol has been recommended during all stages of pregnancy for relief from headaches, for instance, but it is always good to use the medication in very low doses for the shortest possible time. Avoiding any medicines during pregnancy is an ideal situation. But should you need to use paracetamol, use it only when you need it.

2. Ibuprofen Is Quite A No

Ibuprofen is a decongestant. It could affect your blood vessels, which means that it could increase the risk of heart problems for a baby. Ibuprofen might also reduce the amniotic fluid in the womb. It is not recommended after 30 weeks of pregnancy. In the first 30 weeks as well ibuprofen could put you at the risk of a miscarriage (2). Should you need to use ibuprofen in the first six months of pregnancy or at just about any stage, do consult your doctor about the potential risks that it might pose.

3. Aspirin Is Alright During Pregnancy

While Aspirin during pregnancy should generally be avoided, don’t be surprised if GPs recommend a low dose of Aspirin to help reduce miscarriage in women (3).

4. Oral Antihistamines Aren’t Bad

Oral antihistamines aren’t considered harmful during pregnancy (4). But should you need to use antihistamine eye drops or corticosteroid nasal spray, you might have to talk to a pharmacist or healthcare provider. You might expect a loratadine or a cetirizine to be recommended.

5. Beware Of The Laxatives

Pregnant women who might suffer from constipation in the initial stages of pregnancy because their progesterone levels are high could benefit from laxatives that help the gut absorb more water and soften the stool (5).

However, it’s good to revert to natural remedies such as drinking lots of water and taking diet high in fiber.

6. Do Consult

Connect with your doctor or pharmacists instead of looking up the internet for advice on OTC medication during pregnancy.

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