October 2008
10 drugs in OTC medicines pregnant women should avoid
| Drug | Found in | CR Recommendation | Possible Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspirin | Excedrin Migraine | 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester: Not recommended |
Tylenol (Acetaminophen) |
| Bismuth subsalicylate | Kaopectate; Pepto Bismol | 1st, 2nd trimester: Use with caution 3rd trimester: Not recommended |
Imodium (Loperamide) |
| Brompheniramine | Dimetapp Cold and Fever; Dimetapp Elixir | 1st, 2nd trimester: Use with caution 3rd trimester: Not recommended |
Claritin (Loratadine); Zyrtec (Cetirizine) |
| Caffeine | Excedrin Aspirin-Free; Excedrin Quicktabs | 1st, 2nd. 3rd trimester: Use with caution CR Recommends: Do not exceed 200 milligrams per day to reduce risk of miscarriage |
None |
| Castor Oil |
— |
1st, 2nd. 3rd trimester: Do not take—unacceptable risk |
None |
| Chlorpheniramine | Chlor-Trimeton; Combination products: Actifed Cold and Allergy; Actifed Cold and Sinus; Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine; Dristan Cold; Sinutab Sinus Allergy Maximum Strength; Sudafed Cold and Allergy; TheraFlu Flu and Cold Medicine; Triaminic Cold and Allergy; Tylenol Allergy Sinus Maximum Strength; Tylenol Cold Mulit-Symptom Children's | 1st, 2nd trimester: Use with caution 3rd trimester: Not recommended |
Claritin (Loratadine); Zyrtec (Cetirizine) |
| Ibuprofen | Advil, Motrin | 1st, 2nd trimester: Use with caution 3rd trimester: Not recommended |
Tylenol (Acetaminophen) |
| Naproxen | Aleve | 1st, 2nd trimester: Use with caution 3rd trimester: Not recommended |
Tylenol (Acetaminophen) |
| Nicotine | All cigarettes; Nicorette gum; Nicoderm patches | 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester: Not recommended |
None |
Pseudoephedrine  |
Actifed Cold and Sinus, Sudafed Nasal Decongestant, Triaminic AM Decongestant | 1st trimester: Not recommended 2nd, 3rd trimester: Use with caution |
Nondrug alternatives: Drink plenty of fluids, consider using steam to relieve congestion, avoid irritants like tobacco smoke |
Sold behind the counter without a prescription.
