Medication can affect both the mother and child
It is important to be careful and not use medication without good reason during pregnancy.
Some medication can pass from the mother’s blood to the foetus through the placenta and can therefore be harmful to the child in the womb or after birth. Some medications can adversely affect foetal development. Most organs in the foetus develop during early pregnancy, from the third to the eleventh week after conception. This corresponds to five to thirteen weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period. The risk of malformation is therefore greatest when medications are used during this period.
Medications that affect the brain, such as anti-depressants or strong painkillers, can lead to withdrawal symptoms in the child if a mother uses these medications during the latter part of the pregnancy. Medication can also have an adverse effect on a pregnant woman, for example by inducing or inhibiting contractions.
Remember that there may also be risks associated with using over-the-counter medications, natural remedies and dietary supplements. Information on the use of medication during pregnancy can be found on the packaging insert. Speak to your doctor or midwife about medications that you can use during pregnancy.
Balance benefit against risk
Many health problems, such as high fever, epileptic seizures, severe asthma and infections, increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. Ensuring that the mother remains as healthy as possible is good for the foetus.
Some pregnant women suffer from serious illnesses that require them to use medication even during pregnancy. If you have been prescribed medication by a doctor, it is important that you do not change the dose or stop taking it without agreeing this with your doctor first. Some illnesses in pregnant women can pose a greater risk to the mother or child than the medication. These illnesses should therefore be treated.
It is also important to ensure that pregnant women receive adequate treatment for mild and common health problems.
If you are trying to become pregnant or if you are already pregnant, ask your doctor what medication you can take throughout your pregnancy.
Medications that are particularly relevant to pregnant women
Below is a brief overview of medicines that are most commonly needed by pregnant women for short periods during pregnancy. A more detailed description of the different types of medicines is available at tryggmammamedisin.no (in Norwegian).
Pain relief
For pain during pregnancy, the first choice is analgesics in which the ingredient is paracetamol (Paracet, Pinex, Panodil and Paracetamol). Like many medications, paracetamol should be used for the shortest possible time and at the lowest effective dose. You should speak to your doctor if paracetamol is not sufficient or if you need to take it for more than five days at a time. The use of paracetamol in pregnancy has been comprehensively studied. There is no documented link between the short-term use of paracetamol in pregnancy and autism or malformations of the foetus. Population studies show that the long-term use of paracetamol in pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of birth defects.
Pregnant women should avoid painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs known as NSAIDs throughout their pregnancy, except by agreement with a doctor. Examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen. This is especially important during the third trimester, as these can be harmful to both the mother and the foetus. Even just a few doses could have harmful effects. If you have used medication from this group during the third trimester, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Speak to your doctor if you experience prolonged pain and frequently require pain relief. Some pain conditions during pregnancy can be treated using methods other than medication.
Nasal sprays
Pregnant women can use over-the-counter nasal sprays for nasal congestion caused by a cold in the same way as non-pregnant women. This includes nasal drops/nasal sprays to treat nasal congestion containing the active ingredients xylometazoline (Dexyl, Otrivin, Zymelin, and Xylometazoline Hydrochloride) and oxymetazoline (Rhinox).
Pregnant women who have a blocked nose for reasons other than a cold should use a saline spray instead. Avoid nasal sprays containing menthol, as few studies have been conducted concerning harmful effects during pregnancy.
Medication for heartburn
Pregnant women who suffer from heartburn can initially try alginic acid (Gaviscon) or acid-neutralising medications (Novaluzid, Titralac). If this does not help, the active ingredient famotidine (e.g. Pepcid) can be used. The use of proton pump inhibitors (such as Losec, Nexium, Somax or Lanzo) may be relevant, but a doctor should be consulted first.
Allergy medication
Pregnant women can use most over-the-counter medications. All allergy eye drops and nasal drops can be safely used. The same applies to allergy tablets with the active ingredients cetirizine (e.g. Zyrtec or Cetimax), loratadine and desloratadine (e.g. Aerius). In the case of prescription medications or if long-term treatment is necessary, a doctor should be consulted.
Medication for constipation
Obstipation and constipation are common problems experienced by pregnant women. In the first instance, it is recommended that you follow dietary and lifestyle advice: Make sure that you take daily exercise, drink plenty of water and eat fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. If this does not have the desired effect, you can try fleawort seeds (Vi-Siblin), lactulose (such as Laktulose, Levolac or Duphalac) or macrogol (such as Movicol or Moxalole).
If this does not help either, you can try bowel stimulants. Examples:
- Bisacodyl, e.g. Dulcolax or Toilax
- Senna glycosides, e.g. Pursennid
- Sodium picosulphate, e.g. Laxoberal
These medications can be used for up to a week. In the case of hard stools in the rectum, mini-enemas (such as Microlax) may also be tried. Contact your doctor if you are severely constipated and these tips do not have an adequate effect.
Advice from Trygg mammamedisin
At tryggmammamedisin.no, you will find more detailed advice on the use of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding (in Norwegian). This is a free public service with information curated by doctors and pharmacists.
You can submit questions via the tryggmammamedisin.no website. You will also find information about the use of medication for some common ailments in pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
Trygg mammamedisin will sometimes say that it is OK to use medication even if the packaging insert advises against use during pregnancy. This is because the doctors and experts at Trygg mammamedisin are able to provide individual advice based on the available scientific evidence.