 Created over 4 years ago
Here is some general information from webmd.com about medications in pregnancy.
"In general, doctors say it is usually safe to take:
Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) for fever and pain.
Penicillin and some other antibiotics.
HIV <http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/hiv-human-immunodeficiency-virus> medicines.
Some allergy medicines, including loratadine (such as Claritin and Alavert) and diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl).
Some over-the-counter cold medicines.
Some medicines for high blood pressure.
Most asthma medicines.
Some medicines for depression <http://www.webmd.com/hw-popup/depression>, including fluoxetine (Prozac).
If you are planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor or nurse-midwife about any medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter ones. Some of them may be safe during pregnancy. But others may not be safe. Your doctor or nurse-midwife may have you stop taking a medicine or may switch you to another one. Some medicines that aren't safe in the first trimester may be safe to use later in the pregnancy."
Below is specific information about the medicines you asked about. The resource I use when checking a medication for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers is "Medications and Mothers" Milk, Thirteenth Ed. 2008 by Dr. Thomas W. Hale. The category listings for pregnancy and lactation are from this book, and the explanation of what the categories mean are quoted from the book also.
Tylenol; Pregnancy category B; Lactation L1 (safest).
Pepto Bismol: Pregnancy category C; D in the third trimester. It contains salicylates which can cause bleeding. I would NOT take this while pregnant unless told to do so by your OB doctor.
Zantac : Pregnancy category B; Lactation category L2 (safer)
Advil :Pregnancy category B; D in the third trimester; Lactation category L1 (safest).
Ibuprofen (Motrin;Advil) is listed as Pregnancy Risk Category B in the first and second trimester but Category D in the third trimester. It is OK for breastfeeding mothers. L1.
Naproxen (Naproxyn; Aleve) is listed as pregnancy risk Category C. It is "moderately safe" for breastfeeding mothers. L3
According to Medications and Mothers' Milk 2008 by Thomas Hale, the risk levels are as follows:
Category B: "Either animal-reproduction studies have not demonstrated a fetal risk, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women, or animal-reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect (other than a decrease in fertility) that was not confirmed in controlled studies in women in the first trimester (and there is no evidence of a risk in later trimesters)."
Category C: "Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the fetus (teratogenic or embryocidal, or other) and there are no controlled studies in women, or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus."
Category D: There is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk (e.g. if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective).
For Lactation (Breastfeeding) "
Category L1 Safest is a "drug which has been taken by a large number of breastfeeding mothers without any observed increase in adverse effects in the infant. Controlled studies in breastfeeding women fail to demonstrate a risk to the infant and the possibility of harm to the breastfeeding infant is remote; or the product is not orally bioavailable in an infant."
"Category L2 (Safer) is a "drug which has been studied in a limited number of breastfeeding women without an increase in adverse effects in the infant. And/or the evidence of a demonstrated risk which is likely to follow use of this medication in a breastfeeding woman is remote."
"Category L3 (Moderately Safe) There are no controlled studies in breastfeeding women, however, the risk of untoward effects to a breastfeeding infant is possible; or controlled studies show only minimal non-threatening non-threatening adverse effects. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the infant. (New medications that have absolutely no published data are automatically categorized in this category, regardless of how safe they may be.)"
Tums is Calcium Carbonate, a mineral found in foods and important to health. Many doctors recommend their use as a calcium supplement during pregnancy.
"Calcium supplements can help you get the recommended daily amount of calcium if you don't get enough in your diet. Look for supplements that contain calcium carbonate. They have the highest percentage of elemental calcium, the type of calcium your body readily uses."
(www.marchofdimes.com
"What is calcium carbonate?
Calcium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods. Calcium is necessary for many normal functions of the body, especially bone formation and maintenance. Calcium can also bind to other minerals (such as phosphate) and aid in their removal from the body. (http://health.yahoo.com/other-other/calcium-carbonate/healthwise--d00425a1.html)
This information is given for you to discuss with your health care provider. I cannot advise the taking of any medication, but hopefully the information here will be of help in making decisions about this matter.
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