Pregnancy Drug Safety Lookup

Generally considered safe at standard doses throughout pregnancy. First-line choice for pain and fever.

Ibuprofen

Category C/D

Avoid in third trimester (premature ductus arteriosus closure, oligohydramnios). Limited use in 1st-2nd trimester only i

Aspirin

Category C/D

Low-dose (75-100 mg) used for pre-eclampsia prevention in high-risk pregnancies. Full doses avoided, especially in 3rd t

Amoxicillin

Penicillin-class antibiotics generally safe in pregnancy. Routinely prescribed when antibiotics needed.

Ciprofloxacin

Generally avoided due to theoretical cartilage concerns from animal studies. Alternatives preferred.

Metformin

Increasingly used in gestational diabetes and PCOS. Crosses placenta but no clear adverse outcomes.

Levothyroxine

Category A

Required for hypothyroidism in pregnancy — does not cross placenta in significant amounts. Doses often need to increase.

Sertraline

Among SSRIs, sertraline has the most reassuring pregnancy data. Untreated depression also carries risks.

Omeprazole

Limited data; generally considered low-risk. H2 blockers (ranitidine alternatives) may be preferred when available.

Ondansetron

Used for hyperemesis gravidarum. Some studies suggest small association with cleft palate; benefit-risk discussion neede

Warfarin

Contraindicated in pregnancy — teratogenic, especially in first trimester. Heparin/LMWH used instead.

Isotretinoin

Absolutely contraindicated — severe teratogen. Pregnancy must be excluded before starting and prevented during use.

Methotrexate

Contraindicated — teratogenic and abortifacient. Discontinue at least 3 months before attempting pregnancy.

Ace Inhibitor

Avoid all trimesters; especially harmful 2nd-3rd (renal failure, oligohydramnios). Switch before conception when possibl

Statin

Generally contraindicated — discontinue before/during pregnancy. Cholesterol management deferred until after delivery/la

Folic Acid

Category A

Recommended preconception and through 1st trimester to reduce neural tube defects. Safe at all doses.

Doxycycline

Avoided after 15 weeks (tooth/bone discoloration). Alternatives preferred throughout pregnancy.

Metronidazole

Generally safe; avoided in 1st trimester only if alternative exists. Single-dose treatment for some infections.

Fluoxetine

Among SSRIs in pregnancy. Sertraline often preferred. Untreated depression itself carries risks.

Nitrofurantoin

Used for UTI in pregnancy. Avoided near term (risk of neonatal hemolysis in G6PD-deficient newborns).

Penicillin V

Penicillins are first-line for many infections in pregnancy with extensive safety data.

Cephalexin

Cephalosporins generally considered safe; commonly used for UTI and skin infections.

Azithromycin

Macrolide considered safe in pregnancy. Useful for chlamydia, atypical pneumonia.

Clindamycin

Generally safe. Used for bacterial vaginosis and skin/dental infections in pregnancy.

Methyldopa

Long-standing first-line antihypertensive in pregnancy; extensive safety data.

Labetalol

Preferred beta-blocker in pregnancy for chronic and gestational hypertension.

Nifedipine

Calcium-channel blocker used for hypertension and tocolysis. Generally considered safe.

Lamotrigine

Among the safer antiepileptics in pregnancy; widely used for epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

Levetiracetam

Considered relatively safe; preferred over older AEDs when seizure control allows.

Valproate

High teratogenic risk (neural tube defects, neurodevelopmental effects). Avoid in women of childbearing age unless no al

Phenytoin

Fetal hydantoin syndrome risk. Use only if benefits clearly outweigh risks.

Propylthiouracil

Preferred over methimazole in 1st trimester for hyperthyroidism.

Methimazole

Higher teratogenic risk than propylthiouracil in 1st trimester. Switch to PTU pre-conception or early pregnancy.

Insulin

Standard treatment for diabetes in pregnancy. Does not cross placenta.

Glyburide

Sometimes used for gestational diabetes when insulin not feasible. Newer evidence suggests caution.

Doxylamine Pyridoxine

Category A

First-line for nausea/vomiting of pregnancy. Extensive safety data.

Metoclopramide

Considered safe for nausea/vomiting when first-line options inadequate.

Codeine

Use cautiously short-term. Avoid near delivery (neonatal withdrawal/respiratory depression risk).

Tramadol

Limited pregnancy data. Generally avoided when alternatives available.

Zolpidem

Short-term use only if necessary. Avoid in late pregnancy (neonatal sedation/withdrawal).

Diazepam

Avoid in 1st trimester (cleft lip risk in some studies). Late pregnancy: neonatal floppy infant syndrome.

Escitalopram

Among SSRIs in pregnancy. Sertraline often preferred but escitalopram acceptable in some cases.

Bupropion

Considered relatively safe. Useful for depression and smoking cessation in pregnancy.

Mirtazapine

Limited data. May be considered when other antidepressants ineffective or not tolerated.

Prednisone

Used when needed for autoimmune disease, asthma. Lower fetal exposure than dexamethasone.

Dexamethasone

Crosses placenta efficiently — used for fetal lung maturation in preterm labor.

Budesonide Inhaler

Preferred inhaled corticosteroid in pregnancy due to most reassuring data.

Salbutamol

Short-acting beta-agonist; considered safe for asthma in pregnancy.

Loratadine

Antihistamine considered safe in pregnancy for allergic rhinitis.

Cetirizine

Antihistamine considered safe in pregnancy. Generally preferred non-sedating option.

Famotidine