Pregnancy and Medications: What to Know Right Now

Pregnancy changes how your body handles drugs. Some medicines that were fine before can be risky now, while a few are actually safer than you might think. The main rule: don’t guess. Get a quick med review with your doctor or pharmacist—especially for prescription drugs, herbal supplements, and mood meds.

Quick rules for meds in pregnancy

Keep these practical rules in mind:

- Talk before you stop. Don’t abruptly quit antidepressants, seizure meds, or other long-term prescriptions without talking to your provider—stopping suddenly can harm you and the baby.

- Avoid statins like simvastatin (Zocor). Cholesterol drugs are usually paused during pregnancy unless a specialist advises otherwise.

- Be cautious with antibiotics. Drugs like Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim) are often avoided in the first trimester and near delivery due to specific risks; safe alternatives exist and your doctor will pick the right one.

- Skip benzodiazepines when possible. Medicines like diazepam can cause newborn withdrawal or low muscle tone; doctors look for safer anxiety or sleep options.

- Use acetaminophen for pain when needed. Most providers prefer acetaminophen over NSAIDs. Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) especially in the third trimester because they can affect the baby’s circulation.

- Know the exceptions. Some drugs are used on purpose in pregnancy: metformin (Glucophage) is sometimes prescribed for gestational diabetes, and antiviral meds like valacyclovir (Valtrex) may be given to reduce herpes outbreaks before delivery. If you have HIV, stay on treatment and work closely with your specialist—antiretroviral choices matter for both your health and the baby’s.

Practical steps you can take today

1) Make a single list of every pill, supplement, and topical you use. Bring it to your next visit or upload it to your patient portal.

2) Ask about pregnancy registries. For newer drugs or combinations, manufacturers often run registries that track outcomes; your doctor can tell you if one exists for your medicine.

3) Check doses and timing. Some meds are safe in early pregnancy but not near delivery (and vice versa). Your provider will give a plan that changes as the pregnancy progresses.

4) Avoid high-dose vitamin A (retinol). Take a prenatal with 400–800 mcg folic acid and talk about vitamin A forms—too much retinol can be harmful.

5) If you find out you’re pregnant and took a medicine you’re worried about, call your provider. Most of the time, a single exposure isn’t catastrophic, but timely advice matters.

Pregnancy doesn’t mean you must stop all medicine, but it does mean choices change. Keep your care team in the loop, carry a complete med list, and ask simple questions: is this safe now, later, or not at all? That’s the fastest way to protect you and your baby.