title: Use of over-the-counter medications during pregnancy.
abstract: The use of over-the-counter medications by pregnant women is common. Over-the-counter medications are widely assumed to be harmless because they may be purchased without prescription. Some consumers do not consider them to be drugs. Women may not realize that over-the-counter medications have the potential to harm them or their fetuses. This article reviews selected over-the-counter medications commonly used by pregnant women, including pharmacology, risks, Food and Drug Administration risk classifications, and strategies for counseling clients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Milwaukee Clinical Campus, Milwaukee, WI, USA. jackie.tillett@aurora.org
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tillett
authors.forename: Loryjean Medved
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kostich
authors.forename: Leona
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: VandeVusse
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs