Drugs and medicines in pregnancy

Most medicines taken during pregnancy cross the placenta and reach the baby.

Before taking any medicine when you're pregnant, including painkillers, check with your pharmacist, GP or midwife.

When deciding whether to take a medicine during pregnancy, it's important to find out about the possible effects of that medicine on your baby.

This is the case both for medicines prescribed by a doctor and for medicines you buy from a pharmacy or shop.

If you're trying for a baby or are already pregnant, it's important to always:

• Check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before taking any prescribed medicines or medicines that you have bought

• Make sure your doctor, dentist or another healthcare professional knows you're pregnant before they prescribe anything or give you treatment

• Talk to your doctor immediately if you take regular medicine, ideally before you start trying for a baby or as soon as you find out you're pregnant.

To find out more about which medicines are safe and which to avoid, find out more on the NHS Choices website.