Can I take paracetamol while pregnant?

Generally yes, at the recommended dose for the shortest time needed — it is the preferred painkiller in pregnancy. Confirm with your doctor if you are taking it often.

Is ibuprofen safe in pregnancy?

It is generally avoided, and specifically should not be used in the third trimester (usually from about 20 weeks) because of risks to the baby’s heart circulation and the fluid around the baby. Ask your doctor first.

Are Chinese or herbal medicines safe when pregnant or breastfeeding?

Treat them with the same caution as any medicine. HSA has found some "herbal" products spiked with undeclared drugs, and even genuine ones can interact — check with a doctor or pharmacist first.

I take daily medicine for epilepsy or thyroid — should I stop now that I am pregnant?

No. Stopping on your own can be dangerous. See your doctor promptly to review the medicine and, if needed, adjust it to a pregnancy-safer option.

Can I take my usual medicines while breastfeeding?

Most common medicines pass into milk only in tiny amounts and are compatible, but check each one with your pharmacist or doctor rather than assuming.

Medicines in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: What’s Safe (Singapore)

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 22 Aug 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Quick answer. Before taking any medicine in pregnancy or breastfeeding – prescription, over-the-counter, herbal/TCM or supplements – check first with your doctor or pharmacist, because some cross the placenta or pass into breast milk. Just as important: do not stop an essential medicine on your own (for epilepsy, thyroid, mental health, diabetes or asthma) – an untreated condition can be more dangerous than the medicine, so change anything only with your doctor. Paracetamol is generally the preferred painkiller; ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are generally avoided, especially in the third trimester. If planning a pregnancy, ask for a medicine review beforehand and start folic acid.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding change the calculation for almost every medicine, but the answer is rarely “stop everything” – it’s “check, and decide with your doctor.” Here are the principles that matter most.

Check before you take anything

Some medicines cross the placenta or enter breast milk. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine when pregnant or breastfeeding – and this explicitly includes over-the-counter remedies, supplements, and traditional or Chinese proprietary medicines.

Don’t stop essential medicines on your own

For conditions like epilepsy, an underactive thyroid, depression or anxiety, diabetes and asthma, the risk of the untreated condition is often greater than the medicine’s risk. The right step is a planned review with your doctor – who may continue the medicine, adjust the dose, or switch to a pregnancy-preferred alternative – not stopping suddenly.

Pain relief

Paracetamol at the recommended dose is the preferred painkiller across pregnancy (use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time). NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are generally avoided, and specifically should not be used in the third trimester (usually from about 20 weeks), because they can affect the baby’s heart circulation and reduce the fluid around the baby. Always ask your doctor before taking an NSAID in pregnancy.

Some medicines are known to be harmful – so plan ahead

Certain drugs are recognised to cause birth defects – for example the acne drug isotretinoin, the epilepsy/mood drug sodium valproate, warfarin, some antibiotics, and ACE-inhibitor blood-pressure drugs. Anyone taking these who could become pregnant should have a medicine review before conceiving, so safer alternatives can be arranged in advance.

Folic acid and planning

Folic acid before and in early pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The standard advice is 400 micrograms daily, ideally started before conception and continued through the first trimester. Some higher-risk women need a higher, prescribed dose – that is a decision for your doctor, not one to self-select.

Herbal, TCM and supplement caution

Treat herbal and traditional products with the same caution as any medicine. HSA regularly warns that some “herbal” or “natural” products are adulterated with undeclared potent drugs, and even genuine traditional medicines can interact – so tell your doctor what you take (see health supplements and traditional products).

Breastfeeding and vaccines

Most commonly used medicines are compatible with breastfeeding because only a very small amount passes into milk – but each should still be checked with a pharmacist or doctor. Singapore also recommends the influenza and whooping-cough (Tdap) vaccines in pregnancy to protect mother and baby; ask your doctor about timing.

Related medication-safety guides

Sources

Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Singapore — alerts on adulterated “herbal”/“natural” products; HealthHub (MOH) — Chinese Proprietary Medicine (extra caution in pregnancy/breastfeeding); pregnancy & infant health.
NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service / UKTIS — pain treatment in pregnancy (paracetamol first-line; avoid NSAIDs in the third trimester); advising on medicines during breastfeeding.
SingHealth — vaccination in pregnancy (MOH recommends influenza and Tdap).
US CDC / USPSTF — folic acid 400 micrograms daily before and in early pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist. This is general information about medicines in Singapore, not personalised medical advice. Medicine names, doses and rules vary by person and product — always follow the label and your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions, and read the patient information leaflet. In a medical emergency, call 995. You can also report a suspected side effect or unsafe health product to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

Medicines in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: What’s Safe? (Singapore)