Medications to Avoid During Pregnancy

When you're pregnant, what you take doesn't just affect you—it affects your baby. Medications to avoid during pregnancy, drugs that can cross the placenta and disrupt fetal development. Also known as teratogenic drugs, these substances can cause birth defects, developmental delays, or even miscarriage—even at normal doses. Not all drugs are off-limits, but many common ones carry risks you might not expect.

Take isotretinoin, a powerful acne medication that can cause severe birth defects. Also known as Accutane, it’s linked to brain, heart, and facial abnormalities when taken during pregnancy. Even a single dose can be dangerous. Then there’s tetracyclines, antibiotics like doxycycline that stain developing teeth and weaken bones in the fetus. Also known as doxycycline, they’re banned in pregnancy after the first trimester. And don’t forget NSAIDs, pain relievers like ibuprofen that can reduce amniotic fluid and trigger early labor. Also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, they’re risky after 20 weeks.

Some risks are hidden. Antidepressants, especially SSRIs, may increase the chance of persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns. Also known as SSRI discontinuation syndrome, the withdrawal effects on the baby are real. Migraine drugs, like triptans, have limited safety data and may affect fetal heart development. Also known as rizatriptan, they’re often used without knowing the full pregnancy risks. Even herbal supplements like echinacea can interfere with immune balance during pregnancy, and grapefruit juice can make some meds dangerously strong by messing with liver enzymes.

It’s not about fear—it’s about awareness. Many women stop their meds cold when they find out they’re pregnant, which can be just as risky as continuing them. The key is knowing which drugs are safe, which to pause, and which to replace with better options. That’s why you’ll find real, practical guides here: how to spot dangerous interactions, what to ask your doctor, how to manage chronic conditions safely, and how to avoid mistakes that seem harmless—like taking a common painkiller or finishing a course of antibiotics.