Although taking antacids during pregnancy may be inevitable, we should do so with caution. Picot and Tums prove safe, while other OTC antacids containing magnesium, sodium bicarbonate, aluminum, and aspirin may not be safe.
As a baby grows during pregnancy, it exerts pressure on the mother’s stomach. This pressure contributes to the development of heartburn as the digestive juices find their way up the alimentary canal.
Studies show that 9 out of every 10 pregnant women might suffer from heartburn in their later stages of pregnancy.
Although pregnant women get advice on careful drug administration, antacids may not exclude from the list. Picot is an antacid, and most people wonder if they could take it during pregnancy.
Most ingredients found in drugs may harm the unborn child. Therefore, precautions against taking various drugs help oversee the healthy development of the unborn child.
This article helps us understand Picot as an antibiotic and whether it’s safe during pregnancy.
So, is Picot safe during pregnancy?
Picot antacid consists of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate as the key ingredients.
This drug, made in Mexico, proves safe during pregnancy if taken in the correct doses. The medication got developed to relieve heartburn in people with ongoing needs.
However, people often use it to relieve heartburn, even with no ongoing health issues. We may thus say it proves safe for use by everyone.
If you don’t get relief from heartburn during pregnancy even after taking the correct Picot dosage, you should see your doctor.
Increasing the dosage to get relief from heartburn might be harmful to the unborn baby.
How Picot works to relieve hyperacidity
Hyperacidity or acid reflux occurs when the digestive juices start going up the alimentary canal.
This scenario happens during pregnancy when the fetus grows in size, pushing the mother’s stomach and raising it upwards.
The stomach chamber grows smaller in size and contributes to the development of heartburn.
Picot works by neutralizing the acids in the digestive juices hence preventing heartburn pain. Since Picot serves as a base, it neutralizes the acids making the juices less harmful.
Which antacids are safe during pregnancy?
Not all antacids prove safe to take during pregnancy. Some antacids contain harmful compounds that may harm the unborn child.
We have found the following antacids among the safest you might take during pregnancy to prevent acid reflux:
1. Picot
Picot contains citric acid and sodium bicarbonate compounds that have no adverse effects on the pregnancy.
2. Tums (calcium carbonate)
Tums prove safe to take during pregnancy. This antacid also provides your body with a boost in calcium intake, thus proving helpful.
During pregnancy, the body should meet a calcium intake of about 1000 to 1300mg daily.
Tums help you reach this daily requirement if taken in the correct dosage. The recommended dosage for Tums in pregnant women ranges from one to two tablets every four to six hours.
These two antacids contain calcium bicarbonate. Pregnant women should take antacids with compounds other than calcium bicarbonate with care during pregnancy.
Which antacids should you avoid during pregnancy?
When taking antacids, you must watch out for the following components.
1. Magnesium
If your antacid contains magnesium, you should check to see the following magnesium compounds.
Some magnesium might prove harmful to your unborn child.
2. Magnesium trisilicate
Magnesium trisilicate, when used in the long run and especially in high doses, causes health harm to an unborn child. Therefore, avoid antacids containing this magnesium.
3. Magnesium hydroxide
It may not be new to people taking magnesium hydroxide for constipation and acid reflux. However, when pregnant, don’t take antacids containing magnesium hydroxide.
Since more studies require determining its effect on expectant mothers, you should avoid it.
4. Magnesium sulfate
Magnesium sulfate might be a component of most over-the-counter antacids.
Non-pregnant mothers might find it helpful, but caution must be fundamental for pregnant women.
The entire labor process gets suppressed if you take this kind of magnesium towards your labor days.
Stopping labor proves dangerous to the unborn child since it might even lead to death.
Since most magnesium components might threaten the unborn child, you should avoid over-the-counter antacids containing magnesium.
5. Sodium bicarbonate
Just like magnesium, sodium bicarbonate proves harmful to most pregnant women. This is because these antacids contain high levels of sodium.
When this sodium enters a pregnant woman’s body, swelling due to fluid retention occurs.
If you start taking your antacid and notice your legs and arms swelling, check it for sodium bicarbonate.
If it contains this component, then stopping it relieves the swelling symptoms.
6. Aluminum
If your antacid contains aluminum, don’t take it if pregnant. It might cause constipation adding to more discomfort during your pregnancy.
7. Aspirin and bismuth subsalicylate
These medications don’t qualify as antacids, but some antacids may contain aspirin.
Alka-Seltzer, commonly bought as an OTC antacid, contains aspirin.
Bismuth subsalicylate, widely called the pink pill, contains aspirin too.
You should avoid them entirely during pregnancy.
6 tips to reduce heartburn, acid reflux, and digestion problems during pregnancy
- Some foods and drinks trigger heartburn. Remember, you need to avoid beverages containing caffeine and spicy foods.
- Minimizing your food intake works wonders. Try to have small-sized meals many times instead of three large-sized meals.
- Eat your food early to allow for a 3-hour digestion period before sleeping
- Avoid taking acidic fruits or foods to minimize the overall acidity in the stomach.
- Do not wear tight clothing that might add pressure on your stomach
- Ensure you keep your head region raised about 4 inches when sleeping. This way, you keep stomach acids in the stomach and not up.
The table below summarizes safe and unsafe antacids and antacid components during pregnancy.
| Safe antacids during pregnancy | Antacid compounds in OTC antacids to avoid when pregnant |
|---|---|
| Picot | Magnesium trisilicate |
| Tums | Magnesium sulfate |
| Sodium bicarbonate | |
| Aluminum | |
| Aspirin | |
| Bismuth subsalicylate |
FAQs
What helps acid reflux when pregnant?
Antacids help deal with acid reflux and stomach discomforts during pregnancy. However, most antacids contain harmful compounds, so you should take Picot and Tums to get some relief.
Does magnesium affect the fetus?
Yes, some magnesium compounds may affect the growth of the fetus.
How many tums can a pregnant woman take?
You should take one or two tums every four to six hours.
Conclusion
Remember, you need to be careful with medication when pregnant.
Not all drugs prove safe for the unborn child, so you should practice caution when pregnant.
We recommend using tums and Picot as the safest antacids during pregnancy. Always avoid antacids containing aluminum, aspirin, magnesium, and sodium bicarbonate.
