Ibuprofen And Pregnancy

The expectant mother may also need medication, and it is important to treat the disease during pregnancy as well, because the health of a pregnant woman is directly related to the well-being of the fetus. Almost all drugs cross the placenta and are transported to the fetus, but few drugs have been shown to be clearly detrimental to fetal development. Nevertheless, the expectant mother must always check the suitability of the medicine with either a doctor or a pharmacist. Today we are talking about how ibuprofen and pregnancy fit together.

What is ibuprofen and what is it used for?

Ibuprofen is a widely used NSAID with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties. Its mechanism of action is based on the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, which contributes to the onset of fever, pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen is used to relieve occasional mild to moderate pain and reduce fever.

This medicine should only be used occasionally and for a limited period of time, as excessive use may cause various side effects. The most common side effects with ibuprofen are gastrointestinal symptoms such as gastric ulcer with long-term use. Other side effects include nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, skin symptoms, and elevated liver enzymes.

Ibuprofen and pregnancy

Although the use of any analgesic is not recommended during pregnancy, sometimes medication cannot be avoided. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid and ketoprofen may increase the risk of miscarriage and adversely affect fetal health. Therefore, the use of ibuprofen during pregnancy is not recommended at all. The safest drug when used as directed is paracetamol.

In addition to the increased risk of miscarriage, ibuprofen exposes the fetus to the following problems:

• Adversely affects the fetal circulatory system, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy
• Increases the risk of heart failure and cleft lip and palate
• It is said to increase the risk of an abdominal cleft, which is a developmental disorder in which the internal organs of the fetus protrude from the abdominal cavity on the right side of the navel

The use of ibuprofen during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy is not recommended for the above reasons. However, your doctor may prescribe a low dose of ibuprofen to your expectant mother if needed. During the last trimester of pregnancy, this medicine should not be used under any circumstances.

Ibuprofen during the last months of pregnancy

The use of ibuprofen during the last trimester of pregnancy exposes the fetus to the following problems:

• Decreased amniotic fluid and thus delayed labor
• Problems with fetal lung development
• Adverse effects on the circulatory system which may cause cardiac malformations

In addition to the fact that the use of ibuprofen during pregnancy endangers the health of the fetus, its use before pregnancy can also cause problems. Namely, it reduces the production of prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins are fatty acids belonging to tissue hormones that play an important role in ovulation. They also help the embryo attach to the walls of the uterus.

Safe medications during pregnancy

As already mentioned above, the safest painkiller during pregnancy is paracetamol. The expectant mother may suffer from bacterial inflammation, which must always be treated, because if left untreated, it causes harm not only to the mother herself, but also to the fetus. Safe antimicrobials during pregnancy include penicillins, erythromycin, and cephalosporins. The use of tetracyclines and doxycyclines is not recommended.

Oral antidiabetic drugs should not be used to treat diabetes, but the disease is treated with insulin. Blood sugar balance should be maintained before and during pregnancy. For another chronic disease, asthma, inhaled medications can be used throughout pregnancy, but swallowed asthma medications are not recommended. Treatment of asthma is very important during pregnancy, as untreated or poorly balanced asthma can impair fetal oxygen uptake.

Different natural products can also be helpful during pregnancy, but their use should always be discussed with your doctor.

Medicines prohibited during pregnancy

In addition to NSAIDs, the use of the following drugs is not recommended during pregnancy:

• Vitamin A derivatives. The vitamin A derivatives isotretinoin and azitretin, used in anti-acne and psoriasis medicines, can cause severe multiorgan failure in the fetus.
• Androgens. Androgens, or male hormones, cause masculinization of the female fetus.
• Certain antiepileptics. Valproate, carbamazepine, and phenytoin cause central nervous system obstruction, developmental delay, cleft palate, and multiple organ failure. However, it is important to treat expectant mother epilepsy, and failure to treat the disease carries a greater risk to the fetus than medication.
• Certain antidepressants. SSRIs, so-called serotonin reuptake inhibitors, can cause severe symptoms in the newborn, such as heart malformations. Therefore, it is important to check the dosage of the drug during late pregnancy.

• Lithium. According to some sources, lithium used as an antidepressant increases the risk of fetal heart failure.
• Misoprostol. Isoprostol, used to treat stomach ulcers, increases the risk of miscarriage and malformations such as limb developmental disorders.
• Cytotoxic drugs. Cytotoxic drugs used in cancer treatments cause infertility and increase the risk of miscarriage and multiorgan failure.
• Warfarin. Warfarin is used as a blood thinner to prevent and treat venous obstruction. This medicine can cause bleeding in the fetus and cause damage, especially in the central nervous system.