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Pregnant or Nursing Moms
Tips and Resources
Pregnancy is an exciting time and a great chance to take charge of your health. For many women, when you are pregnant or nursing you are more likely to pay more attention than ever to what goes into your body and you know that not all medications are safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Back pain and heartburn are two of the most common discomforts that come along with pregnancy, so be sure to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist the products that can help you safely relieve those symptoms. The best thing you can do for your health and the health of your baby is to talk to your doctor before taking any medicine when pregnant, breastfeeding, or when planning to become pregnant.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional can provide the best information to you about whether an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine may be right for you, but always keep the following tips in mind:
- Discuss taking any medicines during your pregnancy with your doctor.
- Do not take certain pain relievers during the last three months of your pregnancy, since they may cause problems in your unborn child or complications during delivery.
- When breastfeeding, always ask your healthcare professional before taking any medication.
- If your doctor recommends you take medication while breastfeeding, time it so that you can take the medicine after nursing or before your baby’s longest nap.
For more information download the free brochure, Pregnancy Planner: Your Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy.
We’ve added a new feature to help people find information and tips about specific OTC medicines. Users can now search by treatment or active ingredient to find information on anything from allergy medicines to pain relievers and fever reducers. Explore the OTC Treatments and Active Ingredients tabs at the top of this page to learn more.
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