Medications During Pregnancy: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen & Common OTC Drugs

This is general information, not medical advice for your specific situation — always check with your midwife, GP, or pharmacist before taking any medication in pregnancy, including ones covered here, especially if you take it regularly or have any pre-existing health condition. That said, here is the general shape of the guidance for the most commonly asked-about over-the-counter medications.

Paracetamol: the standard first choice

Paracetamol is the standard first-choice pain and fever medication throughout pregnancy in the UK, at the normal adult dose, for the shortest time needed to manage the symptom. It has a long track record of use in pregnancy and is what’s routinely recommended for headaches, minor aches, and fever. As with any medication, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time, and check with a pharmacist if you need it regularly rather than occasionally.

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs: generally avoided

Ibuprofen, aspirin (at pain-relief doses — low-dose aspirin is sometimes specifically prescribed by a doctor for certain pregnancy conditions, which is different), and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are generally advised against during pregnancy, and specifically avoided from around 30 weeks onward, where they’re linked to complications affecting the baby’s circulation and can affect labour. Earlier in pregnancy the guidance is more mixed but still generally cautious — paracetamol is the preferred default throughout, and NSAIDs are typically only used in pregnancy when specifically directed by a doctor for a particular reason.

Antihistamines: some preferred over others

Hay fever, allergies, and itching are common in pregnancy, and antihistamines are often needed. Some antihistamines (such as loratadine and cetirizine) are more commonly used in pregnancy based on a longer track record, while others have less safety data. This is genuinely a “check with your pharmacist” situation rather than one with a single blanket answer, since which specific antihistamine is preferred can depend on your trimester and individual circumstances — a pharmacist can advise on the best over-the-counter option quickly and without needing an appointment.

Cold and flu remedies

Many combination cold and flu products contain multiple active ingredients, some of which (like certain decongestants) are more cautioned against in pregnancy than others. Rather than trying to evaluate a multi-ingredient product yourself, ask a pharmacist to recommend a pregnancy-appropriate option — simple paracetamol for aches and fever, plenty of fluids and rest, and steam inhalation for congestion are the standard first-line approach, with a pharmacist able to advise on anything further needed.

Indigestion, heartburn, and constipation remedies

These are extremely common in pregnancy, and several over-the-counter remedies are considered safe and are routinely recommended — see our dedicated guides on heartburn and constipation for specific dietary approaches, and ask a pharmacist about antacids or fibre supplements if diet changes alone aren’t enough.

The general rule

For anything not covered here, or if you’re on a regular prescription medication for an existing condition, the safest approach is always to check with a pharmacist, GP, or midwife rather than assume — and never stop a prescribed medication for an existing condition without talking to the prescribing doctor first, since for many conditions, the risk of stopping treatment outweighs the medication’s own risk profile. Pharmacists in particular are a genuinely convenient, free, no-appointment-needed resource for exactly this kind of everyday medication question.