Taking medicines when pregnant

When you’re pregnant you need to take extra care with medicines.

Most medicines will cross over from your bloodstream to your baby, including:

prescription medicines
medicines from the pharmacy for minor health problems
herbal medicines and natural remedies

Make sure your GP, dentist, pharmacist or other healthcare professional knows you’re pregnant before they prescribe anything or give you treatment. It’s always best to check before you take any kind of medicine.

Unplanned pregnancies

Not all pregnancies are planned. Some women will already be taking medication when they find out they’re pregnant.

If this happens to you, don’t stop taking medications without checking with your GP.

Stopping important medicines suddenly could harm both you and your baby. Speak to your GP before you stop taking any prescribed medications.

Prescription medicines

Some medicines are safe to take when you’re pregnant, while others can be harmful for your developing baby, including some common medicines.

Before you take anything – or stop taking anything – it’s important to get the right advice. You can ask your midwife, pharmacist or GP. You should get advice about each medicine you take.

Your GP or obstetrician will help you decide what to take and how much to take, to keep you and your baby as safe as possible during pregnancy.

Find contact details for your GP practice

If you’re already taking any medicine

If you’re already taking any medicine, tell your GP you’re pregnant as soon as possible. Together you can decide whether you still need the medicine and, if you do, your GP can make sure you’re taking the smallest amount for the shortest time.

Speak to your GP, obstetrician or a drug support service if you’re regularly taking these types of prescribed medicines:

sleeping tablets, such as temazepam
medicines for anxiety, such as diazepam
opiate type painkillers, such as codeine, tramadol or dihydrocodeine.
medicines for epilepsy or mental health such as sodium valproate or valproic acid
treatment for type 1 or type 2 diabetes

Epilepsy medicines

If you have epilepsy and you’re thinking about becoming pregnant or think you might be pregnant:

talk to your neurologist, epilepsy nurse or obstetrician about the medicines you’re taking – they will also talk to you about taking folic acid and generally help you to stay well during your pregnancy
keep taking your epilepsy medicine unless they tell you otherwise – this will give you the best chance of controlling seizures

You may need to change the medicines you take, or the amount you take, so that it’s safe for your baby. Stopping your medication suddenly could be harmful for you both.

Sodium valproate and Valproic acid

Sodium valproate (Epilim®/Epilim chrono®) and Valproic acid (Convulex®) have been linked to a higher chance of some babies having:

birth defects
developmental and learning issues

They’re prescribed for epilepsy, but you could also be taking them for:

mental health issues
migraines

If you’re taking either medicine, your doctor will talk to you about the possible benefits and harms and together you can decide what to do.

The MHRA has guidance on valproate use by women and girls

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland

Your pharmacy is a great place to go for help and advice about medicines without the need for an appointment.

Your pharmacist can:

give you advice about minor illnesses – such as coughs, colds and aches and pains
suggest and provide free treatment for minor illnesses and common conditions, where treatment is advised
refer you to see a different health professional

Anyone registered with a GP in Scotland can access the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.

Find a pharmacy in your area

More about the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service

Complementary therapy in pregnancy

Even though something’s ‘natural’, doesn’t mean that it’s safe to use in pregnancy. There are some herbal remedies and complementary medicines that you shouldn’t take.

Be sure to tell your midwife, pharmacist or GP if you’re using: