Q&A: I took medication before I knew I was pregnant. Did I hurt my baby?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

I just found out that I am seven weeks pregnant and for the past couple of weeks I've been taking Allegra, Paxil, and Prilosec. Of course I stopped taking these medications as soon as I found out I was pregnant. However, now I'm worried that maybe I've somehow hurt my baby! I go for my first OB-GYN appointment soon, but I have so many questions right now.

You're probably just fine. This sort of thing happens all of the time. These drugs don't particularly frighten me, but the riskiest time is during weeks six through nine, so I'm glad you stopped taking the medications as soon as you discovered you were pregnant. I'd merely report this to your doctor. He or she who may want to order an ultrasound during midpregnancy—just for reassurance.

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