Over-the-counter medication during pregnancy

Dr. Douglas Street, Contributor

Pregnancy is indeed a delicate phase of a woman's life. Often, the unborn child takes centre stage as extra care needs to be taken so as not to cause harm to him or her.

A pregnant mother does not live in a vacuum, so not only might she have to contend with potential problems associated with pregnancy, but she could get the usual ailments of everyday existence such as colds and pains. But are over-the-counter (OTC) medications safe to use in this situation?

A lot of changes may occur in a pregnant mother, so she usually needs a lot of professional advice, especially if she's a first-time mother. Some of these changes may actually be ailments, some of which may be taken care of at home, while others will require a doctor's visit.

Pain occurs very frequently in pregnancy, especially abdominal pain, and, sometimes, headaches. Paracetamol (Panadol, Cetamol) is safe to use if there is no allergy to it. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin should not be used unless prescribed by a doctor as they can be harmful to child and mother in certain situations. Codeine (a pain reliever usually combined with paracetamol, e.g., Panadeine) is usually safe but also is best prescribed, even though it may be obtained OTC.

For allergies and colds, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (e.g., DPH), chlorpheniramine (e.g. Histal) and loratidine (e.g., Claritine) are available OTC and are safe as long as they are not in combination with a decongestant (e.g., pseudo-ephedrine and ephredrine), which have been associated with birth defects. For coughs, guaifenesin (expectorant) and dexamethorphan (cough suppressant) are safe to use (e.g., Histal expectorant and DM, and Robitussin DM).

Heartburn is another common occurrence in pregnancy, and, fortunately, the OTC antacids (e.g., Maalox, Mylanta, Federgel) are generally safe for use, even those which contain simethicone, which helps with intestinal cramps (e.g. Federgel Plus). Others like ranitidine (Zantac) are best prescribed.

Constipation and haemorrhoids frequently affect pregnant women. Strong laxatives such as mineral oil should be avoided, but milder ones such as psyllium seeds (Metamucil) and Dulcolax are safe. Haemorrhoid creams such as Preparation H and Anusol are safe. Anti-itch creams such as hydrocortisone is safe, as well as antibiotic ointments for cuts.

Above all, when in doubt, get professional advice from a doctor or pharmacist to be on the safe side.