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When you’re pregnant, your body is doing all sorts of things that it doesn’t usually do. Hormones wreak havoc and your eating habits switch up, maybe even multiple times a day! It absolutely makes sense that there could be a need for the medicine cabinet, but what is safe during pregnancy?
Is Pepto Safe During Pregnancy?
It is widely recommended that you should not take Pepto if you are pregnant, but mostly in the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy. It is not the liquid itself that causes the issues within the pregnancy, but the compound that makes up Pepto.
This is the compound that we know is called bismuth-subsalicylate. The issue with this compound is that it has many possible side effects.
Firstly, let’s look at what good the medicine does. It is an anti-inflammatory medicine, meaning it reduces the inflammation of the stomach, as well as slows the movement of the stomach.
The medicine also helps reduce cramping and discomfort, and it reduces acid in the stomach. The medicine coats your throat so that you are not affected by heartburn.
There is not a lot of research about the effects of Pepto on pregnant people, hence why it is usually recommended that you do not, just in case.
One of the main issues around taking medicine when pregnant is the lack of research on the safety and side effects of these actions. It is not ethical to do drug tests on pregnant women, and this is why there is not much research into it.
As Pepto Bismol is a salicylate, it may not be safe to take during pregnancy. A salicylate is a group of medications that are anti-inflammatory, and they have been known to have effects with bleeding.
A lot of doctors recommend that pregnant women do not take Pepto for this reason, as it may cause over bleeding issues with the delivery of their baby.
Doctors mostly recommend not to take Pepto in the third trimester, as this is closer to the delivery of the baby.
Additionally, salicylates can cause birth defects that impact the baby’s heart. There is no direct research about Pepto in particular, but other similar drugs such as aspirin have had these results.
Overall, it is up to you whether you want to take Pepto when pregnant, as all of these side effects are caused by continuous and frequent use of Pepto, which is usually unlikely.
What Is Pepto?
Pepto is the shortened name for Pepto-Bismol. Pepto is a relief medicine for nausea, an upset stomach, and diarrhea. Some people take Pepto to help with digestion, heartburn, and the occasional feeling of overindulgence.
You can buy Pepto straight off the shelves at most stores, as there is no need to get a prescription. Pepto comes in many brands, as it is an umbrella term for a whole trademarked product.
What Conditions Does Pepto Help With?
Pepto has been said to help with conditions, but mostly their side effects. This includes stomach ulcers, acid reflux and heartburn, gastritis, food poisoning, stomach virus or another kind of stomach bug, irritable bowel syndrome, and a nasty hangover.
Pepto helps with all sorts of symptoms and mild conditions, and it is great for instant relief.
What Is In Pepto?
Pepto Bismol is usually a pink thick liquid, and it has a minty, aniseed taste. Pepto was actually used in the 1900s to help with cholera, where the original formula contained pepsin which is an enzyme, as well as zinc salts which help with digestive issues, and salol which was a mild painkiller.
All three of these ingredients were mixed, with a pink food coloring added at the end, giving it the bright color it has today. It certainly did not taste very pleasant, so a herb was added to help with the taste.
This herb was the oil of wintergreen, which is a mint-tasting herb. This herb itself has been known to help with digestion and pain relief, hence why Pepto is minty today.
Pepto Bismol contains the active ingredient bismuth subsalicylate. This is a chemical compound that is the main ingredient in Pepto, and it is an antacid medication.
This is added to aluminum magnesium silicate, methyl salicylate, salicylic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, and water. Although this sounds extremely chemical-based, most medicines are, and for good reason.
This is why certain medicines cannot be taken when you are pregnant, as there is a risk to the health of the baby and the response of your body.
How Many Brands Of Pepto Are There?
Pepto-Bismol is its own brand, but bismuth subsalicylate is the actual medicine, sold by different kinds of brands. Pepto is just one of the brands.
Other brands containing this medicine are Bismatrol, Diotame, Kapectolin, Kola-Pectin, and Kaopectate. These are all other brands that contain the same medicine, just under different names.
What Products Does Pepto Have?
Pepto has a wide range of medicine, for different forms of consumption. They do different flavors, and different medicine targeting specific ailments.
They have their cherry diarrhea liquid, diarrhea liquid caps, caplets, the original Pepto Bismol, cherry liquid, original caplets, chewable tablets, ultra liquid, to-go cherry tablets, Pepto chews, peppermint and caraway soft gels, ultra caplets, ginger, and chamomile soft gels, and Pepto berry mint chews.
All of these products contain the same ingredients, just in different forms. Their natural soft gels are natural and drug-free alternatives for those with nausea and vomiting.
What Can You Take Instead Of Pepto While Pregnant?
Alternatives to Pepto when pregnant are not often in the form of medication, but diet and lifestyle. It can be difficult knowing that you can’t take the medication you know will help you, but there are several things you can do to help these symptoms.
A lot of people get heartburn, an upset stomach, and other issues that Pepto would solve. If you do not want to take Pepto, there are certain medications that are safe to take, as long as they are under a doctor’s care. .
This will include specific antacids and acid reducers. In addition to other medications, you can change your lifestyle. To relieve the symptoms of heartburn, stomach issues, and nausea, try to eat many small meals instead of a large meal, do not eat before bed, and avoid spicy foods and caffeine.
You can also sleep with your head more elevated, and choose foods that will help with digestion, such as peppermint, ginger ale, and crackers. It has also been proven that drinking milk is a temporary solution to heartburn and acid reflux.
What Can You Take For Nausea While Pregnant?
Nausea is a very common side effect of pregnancy, and there are a few different ways you can prevent this. Try taking vitamin B-6 supplements, as well as ginger, and even antihistamines.
These are all things that will relieve the symptoms of nausea when pregnant.
Is There Any Medication That I Should Never Take When Pregnant?
There is quite a long list of different medications that you should not take when pregnant. For further information, research medications yourself, as there are so many with side effect warnings, too.
Some medicines that you cannot take when pregnant are aspirin, ibuprofen or Advil, Accutane, codeine, ciprofloxacin, sulfonamides, and lorazepam.
Final Thoughts
It is recommended not to take Pepto when pregnant. This is not a strict risk, because Pepto has not been researched to the same extent as other drugs, and risks will only be present with persistent use of Pepto.
Always make sure to consult your doctor before taking certain medicines, as you need to be as cautious as you can when pregnant.
