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Women's Health8 min read

Medications to Avoid During Pregnancy

OTC and prescription drugs commonly reviewed in pregnancy, plus what never to stop on your own.

Medications to Avoid During Pregnancy

Why Pregnancy Changes Medication Decisions

Drugs can cross the placenta and affect fetal development, especially in the first trimester when organs form. Other medications are safer later in pregnancy but risky earlier — or the opposite. The safest approach is a medication review with your prenatal provider as soon as you know you are pregnant (or while trying to conceive).

Commonly Avoided or Restricted Medications

General categories — your clinician will weigh risks vs. benefits for your situation.

Pain and fever

  • NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin at high doses) — often avoided, especially in the third trimester
  • Acetaminophen — frequently used when approved by provider; use lowest effective dose for shortest time

Skin and acne

  • Isotretinoin (Accutane) — must be avoided; causes severe birth defects
  • High-strength retinoid creams — discuss with dermatologist; some are contraindicated

Blood pressure and heart

  • ACE inhibitors and ARBs — avoided in pregnancy
  • Warfarin — generally avoided; requires specialist management if needed

Mood and mental health

  • Some psychiatric medications need dose adjustment or switching — do not stop abruptly
  • Untreated depression/anxiety also carries pregnancy risks; balance matters

Antibiotics and infections

  • Untreated infections can harm pregnancy — many antibiotics are safe; others (e.g. tetracyclines) are avoided
  • Always complete prescribed treatment after provider confirms safety

Supplements and herbs

  • High-dose vitamin A — avoid unless prescribed
  • Herbal products (e.g. black cohosh, dong quai, weight-loss blends) — often unstudied in pregnancy; assume caution
  • Prenatal vitamins — usually recommended; choose one with folic acid per provider guidance

Do Not Stop Prescriptions on Your Own

Do

  • Call the prescribing doctor the same day you get a positive pregnancy test
  • Ask about switching to a safer alternative when needed
  • Continue seizure, thyroid, insulin, and psychiatric meds until your clinician gives a plan

Avoid

  • Stop blood thinners, seizure meds, or psychiatric drugs suddenly on your own
  • Assume all medications must be stopped in pregnancy
  • Hide supplements or OTC products from your prenatal provider

Seizure medications, blood thinners, thyroid drugs, insulin, and psychiatric medications may need to be continued or switched — not stopped suddenly.

How to Prepare for Your Medication Review

Checklist

  • Write down every prescription, OTC product, vitamin, and supplement with doses
  • Note when you last took each item
  • Run your list through our drug interaction checker and bring results to your appointment
  • Ask about safer alternatives for anything you take regularly
  • Use one pharmacy so records stay consolidated

Use our drug interaction checker before your visit.

Trying to Conceive? Start Early

Ideally, review medications before pregnancy. Folic acid supplementation is commonly recommended in advance. Track timing with our ovulation calculator and estimate milestones with the due date calculator once pregnant — tools are educational only.

When to Call Your Provider Urgently

Contact your provider promptly for

  • You took a medication known to be high-risk in pregnancy and just found out you are pregnant
  • Vaginal bleeding, severe cramping, or decreased fetal movement (later pregnancy)
  • Fever, dehydration, or illness where you need medication guidance

Screen your medication list

Check prescriptions, OTC drugs, and supplements for known interactions.

Open Drug Interaction Checker

Pregnancy & medication disclaimer

Medication safety in pregnancy is highly individual. Do not start or stop any drug based on this article alone. Contact your obstetrician, midwife, or pharmacist before taking any prescription, over-the-counter medicine, or supplement during pregnancy or while trying to conceive. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

This site is built and maintained with AI-generated content. Verify important health decisions with a qualified clinician.

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