Can pregnant women take Weichangan Pills?

Apr 08, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

After becoming pregnant, I've been experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating and nausea. I heard that胃肠安丸 (Weichang'an Pills) might help, but I'm worried about potential effects on the baby. Can pregnant women safely take Weichang'an Pills?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu

Under normal circumstances, pregnant women are advised not to take Weichang'an Pills.

Weichang'an Pill is a type of patent Chinese medicine primarily used to treat gastrointestinal dysfunction, indigestion, and related symptoms. Its ingredients include several traditional Chinese herbs such as Aucklandia Root (Mu Xiang), Aquilaria Wood (Chen Xiang), and Citrus Peel (Zhi Ke). It functions to regulate qi flow, relieve pain, improve digestion, and harmonize the stomach and spleen. The components of Weichang'an Pill may potentially affect the fetus. Some of the herbs have functions such as promoting qi circulation and blood flow, which might lead to uterine contractions and increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to avoid taking Weichang'an Pills.

If a pregnant woman experiences gastrointestinal discomfort during pregnancy, she should first attempt to relieve the symptoms through dietary adjustments and rest, and avoid taking medications on her own. If the symptoms are severe and affect daily life, she should seek medical attention promptly and follow a physician's guidance to choose a safe and effective treatment plan. Self-medication should be avoided to ensure the safety of both mother and baby.

During pregnancy, it is recommended to maintain healthy eating habits, engage in moderate physical activity, and attend regular prenatal checkups, all of which contribute to maintaining good health.