Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Author Spotlight: Alleviating Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy with Safe and Effective Auricular Acupuncture
05:33

Author Spotlight: Alleviating Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy with Safe and Effective Auricular Acupuncture

Published on: August 4, 2023

1.4K

Over-the-Counter Medications in Pregnancy.

Elizabeth Allison Powers1, Ryan Tewell2, Max Bayard3

  • 1XXX.

American Family Physician
|October 16, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

301
Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
301
Drug Classes and Categories01:25

Drug Classes and Categories

2.0K
Drugs can be classified according to their chemical composition or their intended therapeutic application. For instance, anti-infective agents that possess the ability to eliminate pathogens or suppress their growth and reproduction can be grouped based on the organisms they target or their chemical structure. Furthermore, drugs can be divided into prescription, nonprescription, or controlled substances. Prescription medications, such as antibiotics, require oversight from a licensed healthcare...
2.0K
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs01:02

Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs

742
Prescription drugs require a prescription from a medical practitioner and can only be obtained from a pharmacy. They have many applications, including treating pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
742
Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacokinetics01:24

Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacokinetics

497
Cholinergic antagonists—such as antimuscarinics—are available in oral, topical, ocular, parenteral, and inhalational formulations. Most antimuscarinics are oral formulations,  while scopolamine is available as a topical patch, and ipratropium and tiotropium are available as inhalation aerosols or powders. Atropine, tropicamide, and cyclopentolate are topically instilled in the eye. Most antimuscarinics are lipid-soluble and readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and...
497
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

183
Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
183
Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview01:26

Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview

329
Anxiolytic drugs are vital in managing anxiety disorders by effectively alleviating symptoms such as excessive fear, tachycardia, and tremors. There are several classes of anxiolytic medications, each with unique mechanisms of action and potential side effects.
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...
329

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Syncope: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis.

American family physician·2023
Same author

Establishment of a pharmacist-led service for patients at high risk for opioid overdose.

American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists·2018
Same author

Bupropion and restless legs syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM·2011
Same author

Restless legs syndrome.

American family physician·2008
Same author

Valproate-associated hyperammonemic encephalopathy.

Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM·2007
Same author

Distal upper extremity edema and discoloration.

American family physician·2007
Same journal

For Post-stent Patients With Atherosclerotic Coronary Vascular Disease Who Are Taking an Anticoagulant, Adding Aspirin Worsens Outcomes.

American family physician·2026
Same journal

Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy.

American family physician·2026
Same journal

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Diagnosis and Management.

American family physician·2026
Same journal

Aerobic Exercise Is the Better Exercise Modality for Knee Osteoarthritis.

American family physician·2026
Same journal

Overscreening Leads to Overdiagnosis of MASLD.

American family physician·2026
Same journal

Type 2 Diabetes: Outpatient Insulin Management.

American family physician·2026
See all related articles

Limited research exists on OTC pregnancy medications. Safe options include vitamin B6, ginger, calcium carbonate, and certain laxatives, while topical retinoids and questioning acetaminophen use are advised.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pharmacology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

  • Limited high-quality research exists on the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter (OTC) medications during pregnancy.
  • Nonpharmacologic treatments should be considered before medication use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the safety and effectiveness of commonly used OTC medications during pregnancy.
  • To provide guidance for healthcare providers on medication selection for pregnant patients.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on OTC medication safety in pregnancy.
  • Analysis of evidence for various medication classes including gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and pain relief agents.

Main Results:

More Related Videos

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
05:13

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Published on: February 28, 2025

238
Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development
07:56

Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development

Published on: January 26, 2018

16.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Author Spotlight: Alleviating Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy with Safe and Effective Auricular Acupuncture
05:33

Author Spotlight: Alleviating Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy with Safe and Effective Auricular Acupuncture

Published on: August 4, 2023

1.4K
Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
05:13

Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Published on: February 28, 2025

238
Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development
07:56

Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development

Published on: January 26, 2018

16.6K
  • Vitamin B6, ginger, H1 antihistamines are safe for nausea/vomiting. Calcium carbonate, H2 blockers, PPIs for GERD. Osmotic laxatives, fiber, probiotics for constipation.
  • Most topical OTCs are safe; avoid topical retinoids. Saline nasal rinse and antihistamines for rhinitis. Intranasal corticosteroids beneficial for allergic rhinitis.
  • Acetaminophen safety is questioned for headaches/back pain. Low-dose aspirin recommended for preeclampsia prevention in high-risk individuals. Herbal supplement data is limited.

Conclusions:

  • Healthcare providers should prioritize nonpharmacologic therapies and judiciously select safe OTC medications for pregnant patients.
  • Specific OTCs are identified as safe and effective for common pregnancy-related conditions, while others require caution or avoidance.
  • Further research is needed on herbal supplements and long-term effects of certain medications during pregnancy.