Q. What are safe medications for heartburn while pregnant?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Heartburn during pregnancy is extremely common and can be quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are several safe medications that pregnant women can take to relieve this discomfort and help manage their symptoms.
The most commonly recommended medications include antacids such as Tums or Maalox which work by neutralizing stomach acid, H2-receptor antagonists such as Zantac or Pepcid which decrease the production of stomach acid, and proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec or Prevacid which also decrease stomach acid production. All three types of medications are generally considered safe for pregnant women in all trimesters when used according to directions from a doctor.
However, it is still important for pregnant women who experience heartburn to speak with their healthcare provider about their condition since some symptoms could indicate something more serious than indigestion. For example, persistent chest pain, shortness of breath that doesn't respond to rest or home treatments, redness on the upper abdomen / chest area - these could be signs of a heart attack and should not be ignored! Additionally, if you have any questions or concerns regarding medication safety while pregnant they should always be addressed with your physician first before taking any over-the-counter products (including antacids).
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