In a nutshell

Some are safe to take, others are not. Always check with the pharmacist or your GP

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The expert view

Pregnancy can bring with it a range of ailments that there are over-the-counter remedies for - from constipation to rashes, thrush through to nausea and back pain. And browsing the shelves in your local pharmacy you will find any number of pain and symptom relievers for them. The trouble is of course, which ones are safe for pregnant women to take?

"Just because it is available over the counter does not mean that it is not an effective medication or that it is safe in pregnancy," points out MFM’s GP Dr Philippa Kaye.

So the general rule is always to ask the pharmacist in store, or your GP or midwife at your next appointment.

"Even with simple commonly used medicines and creams check with your pharmacist before you use them, and this also applies to those medicines which you may have lurking in a cabinet at home," Dr Kaye adds.

More like this

So what CAN I take?

There are a few medicines that are generally considered to be safe for mums-to-be to take - but it's still best to always double check with the pharmacist when you are buying.

Pain

Paracetamol – as a painkiller or for reducing a high temperature (link to paracetamol article)

Constipation

Movicol, Fybogel and Normacol are considered safe, while other treatments such as Dulcolax, Senokot, Celevac and Dulcoease are not recommended for pregnancy

Haemorrhoids (piles)

Germoloids ointment, cream and suppositories are safe in pregnancy, but the spray is not as it contains hydrocortisone. Anusol is also considered safe.

Thrush

Treatments that include an oral tablet or capsule are not usually recommended in pregnancy, but external creams such as Canestan are usually fine. Visiting a doctor is advised if it’s the first time you’ve had thrush, or it keeps coming back.

Nausea

Vitamin B6 is often recommended to help combat sickness, but the problem is that the dose needed to work is well about what is usually recommended for mums-to-be. It’s worth seeing your GP if it’s really bad.

Itching

Itchy skin is one of those unfortunate side effects of pregnancy for some women as their bump grows. Creams like E45 are generally considered to be safe, but if the itching is really bad it could be a sign of something more serious – so raise it with your GP or midwife.

Coughs, colds and flu

Some over the counter drugs, like paracetamol, are OK – but others are not safe because they contain ingredients that are not recommended in pregnancy. Medicines like Lemsip, which contain a decongestant, shouldn’t be used, as well as Vicks products containing ephedrine, though the rubs and oils are fine.

Heartburn and indigestion

Gaviscon is generally safe but can interact with other medicines so check with a health professional if you are taking anything else (link to Gaviscon article)

Mums on our forum say

“I’ve had thrush a few times. Once at about 10 or 11 weeks and once at about 15 weeks (I'm now just over 23). I was treated by my GP with Canesten pessary and cream both times, and this cleared it up for me.” Sah83

“I had these [haemorrhoids] a couple of weeks ago. Incredibly painful for about a week. I didn't think it was ever going to get better. I saw my doctor and she did prescribe some steriod ointment and suppositories.” Penguin66

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