Escuche esta historia

--:--

2:58

It's safe to use ibuprofen during pregnancy?

Maria Fernanda
3 min de lectura

Have you ever heard the word teratogen? Teratology is in charge of analyzing the components that intervene in congenital alterations.

Now, these teratogens can be drugs, substances, among others, whose administration results in interference in the formation of the fetus.

From all this it follows, the following question : Can ibuprofen be administered during pregnancy?

What is a teratogen?

According to the literature, a teratogen is any factor that generates a permanent alteration during the embryonic period and the fetal period.

In this sense, they can be drugs, radiation, infection, genetic disease, among others. Likewise, there are another concept that is important to clarify, which they are.

  • Haegene: factor that intervenes in the maturation of an organ, thus its function is affected.

  • Trophgen: any factor that alters the growth of an organ.

It's safe to use ibuprofen during pregnancy? – Mothers And Babies
Pregnancy and medications

It is worth mentioning that these last concepts refer to a specific affectation during development, that is, during the fetal stage or at birth.

However, the term teratogen can be used for all three disorders.

Can ibuprofen be used during pregnancy?

It is no secret to anyone that a series of drugs and substances that are harmful to the fetus are contraindicated during pregnancy.

Of course, at present the number of drugs that have been identified as "harmful" during pregnancy is small.

At the same time, within the list of drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a group to which ibuprofen belongs.

Ibuprofen and other pain relievers can cause an unwanted effect when the pregnancy is in the last weeks.

In addition to this, there are medications belonging to this family, which can cause a reduction in amniotic fluid, motivated by poor fetal urination.

Also, another adverse effect of NSAIDs in pregnancy is the closure of the ductus arteriosus.

It is important to note that these alterations are more predominant from week 28 of gestation.

What alternative analgesic can be indicated in pregnancy?

The medicine that is used in pregnancy for pain is paracetamol or acetaminophen.

Likewise, paracetamol has a classification according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as category B.

Category B: Its use is safe in animals. What's more, it has been used in doses higher than those administered in humans. There are no proven clinical studies in humans.

This means that its use is allowed during pregnancy and lactation.

It's safe to use ibuprofen during pregnancy? – Mothers And Babies
Ibuprofen

However, the use of acetaminophen must be justified, remember that its action cannot be completely controlled and, like any drug, it can cause side effects, such as.

  • Hypotension

  • Gastrointestinal upset (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting)

  • Acne

When to see a doctor for pain during pregnancy?

Whenever a woman has pain, she should see a doctor for a clinical evaluation. Of course, it depends on the area where the pain is located and if it is accompanied by other symptoms.

Also, it is important to educate the pregnant woman during prenatal control about false contractions that may begin to appear, but do not signify the start of labor.

Responses