Maternal Health

Which Medications Are Safe During Pregnancy

Medically reviewed by Dr. Lisa Okafor, MD, FACOG · Board-Certified OB-GYN

Content reviewed against published ACOG, CDC, NIH guidelines

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Your health matters just as much as your baby's. If you are dealing with which medications are safe during pregnancy, here is what you need to know.

The short answer

Many medications are safe during pregnancy, but some should be avoided. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered the safest pain reliever. NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) should generally be avoided, especially after 20 weeks. Always check with your provider before taking any medication, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements. Never stop prescribed medications without consulting your provider first.

Key takeaways

  • Many medications are safe during pregnancy, but some should be avoided. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered the safest pain reliever. NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) should generally be avoided, especially after 20 weeks. Always check with your provider before taking any medication, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements. Never stop prescribed medications without consulting your provider first.
  • Usually normal when: Taking prescribed medications that your provider has approved for pregnancy
  • Call your doctor if: You accidentally took a medication you are unsure about - contact your provider or MotherToBaby (1-866-626-6847) for guidance
  • Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know

According to ACOG, CDC, NIH guidelines, many medications are safe during pregnancy, but some should be avoided. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered the safest pain reliever. NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) should generally be avoided, especially after 20 weeks. Always check with your provider before taking any medication, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements. Never stop prescribed medications without consulting your provider first. At First trimester, the first trimester is when the baby's organs are forming, making it the most sensitive period for medication effects. However, many medications are safe. Do not stop prescribed medications (especially for conditions like epilepsy, depression, or thyroid disease) without talking to your provider - the risk of uncontrolled illness can be greater than the medication risk. It is generally considered normal when taking prescribed medications that your provider has approved for pregnancy. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if you accidentally took a medication you are unsure about - contact your provider or MotherToBaby (1-866-626-6847) for guidance.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]

Normal vs. Concerning

Usually Normal
Worth Discussing
Taking prescribed medications that your provider has approved for pregnancy
You accidentally took a medication you are unsure about - contact your provider or MotherToBaby (1-866-626-6847) for guidance
Using acetaminophen occasionally for headache or pain
You stopped a necessary medication and are having symptoms
Taking prenatal vitamins
You need a new medication and want to know if it is safe

By Age

What to expect by age

First trimester

The first trimester is when the baby's organs are forming, making it the most sensitive period for medication effects. However, many medications are safe. Do not stop prescribed medications (especially for conditions like epilepsy, depression, or thyroid disease) without talking to your provider - the risk of uncontrolled illness can be greater than the medication risk.

Second trimester

Generally safe medications include: acetaminophen for pain/fever, certain antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine) for allergies, some cough medications, antacids, and stool softeners. Your provider can guide you on specific medications for your needs. The MotherToBaby helpline (1-866-626-6847) is an excellent free resource.

Third trimester

Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) especially after 20 weeks due to risks to the baby's kidneys and heart. After delivery, most medications become safer, though breastfeeding parents should still check. Your provider will review your medication plan for postpartum.

What to Tell Your Pediatrician

  • Describe when you first noticed which medications are safe during pregnancy and how it has changed over time.
  • Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
  • Mention if you need a new medication and want to know if it is safe.
  • Mention if you are taking a prescribed medication and just found out you are pregnant.
  • Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
  • Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.

What Should You Do?

When to take action

Probably normal when...
  • Taking prescribed medications that your provider has approved for pregnancy
  • Using acetaminophen occasionally for headache or pain
  • Taking prenatal vitamins
Mention at your next visit when...
  • You need a new medication and want to know if it is safe
  • You are taking a prescribed medication and just found out you are pregnant
  • You are unsure about over-the-counter medications or supplements
Act now when...
  • You accidentally took a medication you are unsure about - contact your provider or MotherToBaby (1-866-626-6847) for guidance
  • You stopped a necessary medication and are having symptoms

What You Can Do at Home

  • Keep track of when you notice which medications are safe during pregnancy — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
  • Remember that taking prescribed medications that your provider has approved for pregnancy — this is generally within the range of normal.
  • At First trimester, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
  • Prioritize your own rest and nutrition. Accept help when offered, and do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.
  • While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if you accidentally took a medication you are unsure about - contact your provider or MotherToBaby (1-866-626-6847) for guidance.

Headaches During Pregnancy

Headaches are common during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters. They are often caused by hormonal changes, increased blood volume, stress, fatigue, caffeine withdrawal, or dehydration. Most pregnancy headaches are tension-type and harmless, but severe or persistent headaches, especially in the third trimester, should be evaluated to rule out preeclampsia.

Medication Safety While Breastfeeding

Most medications are compatible with breastfeeding, as only small amounts transfer into breast milk. Many people are unnecessarily told to stop breastfeeding or "pump and dump" when it is not needed. LactMed (a free NIH database) and the InfantRisk Center (1-806-352-2519) are excellent resources for checking medication safety. Very few medications are truly incompatible with breastfeeding.

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Frequently asked questions

Is which medications are safe during pregnancy normal?
Many medications are safe during pregnancy, but some should be avoided. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered the safest pain reliever. NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) should generally be avoided, especially after 20 weeks. Always check with your provider before taking any medication, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements. Never stop prescribed medications without consulting your provider first.
When should I call the doctor about which medications are safe during pregnancy?
You accidentally took a medication you are unsure about - contact your provider or MotherToBaby (1-866-626-6847) for guidance You stopped a necessary medication and are having symptoms
When is which medications are safe during pregnancy normal?
Taking prescribed medications that your provider has approved for pregnancy Using acetaminophen occasionally for headache or pain Taking prenatal vitamins
What causes which medications are safe during pregnancy?
Many medications are safe during pregnancy, but some should be avoided. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered the safest pain reliever. NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) should generally be avoided, especially after 20 weeks. Always check with your provider before taking any medication, including over-the-counter and herbal supplements. Never stop prescribed medications without consulting your provider first. Common explanations include: Taking prescribed medications that your provider has approved for pregnancy. Using acetaminophen occasionally for headache or pain.
What should I mention to my pediatrician about which medications are safe during pregnancy?
You should mention which medications are safe during pregnancy at your next visit if: You need a new medication and want to know if it is safe. You are taking a prescribed medication and just found out you are pregnant. You are unsure about over-the-counter medications or supplements.
Is which medications are safe during pregnancy normal at First trimester?
The first trimester is when the baby's organs are forming, making it the most sensitive period for medication effects. However, many medications are safe. Do not stop prescribed medications (especially for conditions like epilepsy, depression, or thyroid disease) without talking to your provider - the risk of uncontrolled illness can be greater than the medication risk.
Is which medications are safe during pregnancy normal at Second trimester?
Generally safe medications include: acetaminophen for pain/fever, certain antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine) for allergies, some cough medications, antacids, and stool softeners. Your provider can guide you on specific medications for your needs. The MotherToBaby helpline (1-866-626-6847) is an excellent free resource.
Should I go to the ER for which medications are safe during pregnancy?
Seek emergency care if you accidentally took a medication you are unsure about - contact your provider or MotherToBaby (1-866-626-6847) for guidance, or if you stopped a necessary medication and are having symptoms. When in doubt, call your pediatrician's after-hours line for guidance.
Does which medications are safe during pregnancy go away on its own?
In many cases, which medications are safe during pregnancy resolves on its own, especially when taking prescribed medications that your provider has approved for pregnancy. By Third trimester, avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) especially after 20 weeks due to risks to the baby's kidneys and heart. After delivery, most medications become safer, though breastfeeding parents should still check. Your provider will review your medication plan for postpartum.
ACOGCDCNIH

References

  1. [1]American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications During Pregnancy. ACOG FAQ, 2022. ACOG
  2. [2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treating for Two: Medicine and Pregnancy. CDC, 2023. CDC
  3. [3]National Library of Medicine. Drug Use in Pregnancy. MedlinePlus, 2023. NIH

Doctor Visit Checklist

Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Which Medications Are Safe During Pregnancy.

Things to mention

  • Describe when you first noticed which medications are safe during pregnancy and how it has changed over time.
  • Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
  • Mention if you need a new medication and want to know if it is safe.
  • Mention if you are taking a prescribed medication and just found out you are pregnant.
  • Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
  • Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.

Observations to share

  • You need a new medication and want to know if it is safe
  • You are taking a prescribed medication and just found out you are pregnant
  • You are unsure about over-the-counter medications or supplements

Urgent signs to report immediately

  • You accidentally took a medication you are unsure about - contact your provider or MotherToBaby (1-866-626-6847) for guidance
  • You stopped a necessary medication and are having symptoms

My notes

From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides

All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.

2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members

Related Resources

Feeding & Pumping GuideMedicine Dosage CalculatorPregnancy TrackerBaby Tracker

Bottom line

Most cases of which medications are safe during pregnancy are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if you accidentally took a medication you are unsure about - contact your provider or mothertobaby (1-866-626-6847) for guidance.

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.

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Medication Safety While Breastfeeding

Most medications are compatible with breastfeeding, as only small amounts transfer into breast milk. Many people are unnecessarily told to stop breastfeeding or "pump and dump" when it is not needed. LactMed (a free NIH database) and the InfantRisk Center (1-806-352-2519) are excellent resources for checking medication safety. Very few medications are truly incompatible with breastfeeding.

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