I just found out I am three weeks pregnant. I have been taking Prilosec (20mg/day) for six weeks to control GERD. My doctor says it is okay for me to continue with the Prilosec, but I am worried about the effects it will have on the baby, so I want another opinion. Is it better for me to stop taking the Prilosec and suffer with the heartburn? Or will the problems associated with the heartburn be more of a risk to the baby?

Eliza

Prilosec (omeprazole), along with Prevacid (lansoprazole), are members of a class of drug called proton-pump inhibitors; these drugs inhibit acid production in the stomach. While Prilosec and Prevacid are extremely safe and not likely to cause you harm, they have not been tested in humans during pregnancy, so they cannot be assumed to be absolutely safe for the fetus.

If your heartburn can be controlled in other ways it would be safer -- especially in the first trimester of your pregnancy, when you should try to avoid as many drugs as possible. Antacids and Gaviscon (alginic acid) are the safest choices, as they undergo little to no absorption into the bloodstream.

The only problem heartburn could present to the baby is if you cannot maintain adequate nutrition. I would encourage you to ask your doctor for ways to modify your diet to prevent heartburn first.