Medicines and Pregnancy: Prepare for a Review

Review treatment early

If you are planning pregnancy or have recently found out you are pregnant, tell the professionals who prescribe and dispense your medicines. Treatment decisions balance the effects of a medicine with the risks of leaving a condition untreated.

Do not make abrupt changes yourself

Do not stop prescribed treatment without medical advice. Contact the prescriber promptly to discuss it. Medicines bought without a prescription, herbal preparations and supplements also need checking; a natural label is not a guarantee of suitability.

Bring clear information

• Your medicine names, strengths and usual schedule.
• Why you take them and who prescribed them.
• Any non-prescription products you use.
• How far along the pregnancy may be, if known.

Questions for the consultation

Ask whether your treatment should continue, whether monitoring is needed and who to contact if you have concerns. If you already took a medicine before knowing you were pregnant, seek individual advice rather than assuming harm. This article does not classify any medicine as safe for every pregnancy.

Educational information only. Ask a qualified clinician or pharmacist about your own treatment.