Should I stop taking my prescription medicine when I start trying to become pregnant?

Talk with your health care provider (including your pharmacist) before you stop or change your prescription medicine. Sometimes the benefits of taking a prescription medicine outweigh the risks to the developing baby. For example, it’s important to keep taking prescription medicine for high blood pressure, epilepsy, depression or some mental health conditions before and during pregnancy. While it’s good to be cautious about prescription medication, talk with your health care provider before stopping it.

Often a different medicine can be prescribed—one that’s safe to take while you’re trying to get pregnant. Your health care provider can speak with you about the medicine that’s right for you.

It’s helpful to bring a list of the all the medicine you take when you visit your health care provider. This includes over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, supplements, and herbal products that you take.

Creating a Medlist and carrying it with you ensures you have it, if and when you need it.