While waiting for a child, a woman's body experiences significant stress, so the appearance of pain is not uncommon. Sometimes the pains that arise in the expectant mother are quite intense, which makes one think about taking analgesics. Such drugs are presented today in pharmacies in a wide range, but most of them are contraindicated during pregnancy.
Limitations exist for such an effective pain reliever as Ketorol. If a woman used such a remedy to relieve pain before pregnancy, then after a positive test, she should be careful and if pain occurs, it is best to consult a doctor.
Features of the drug
"Ketorol" is available in several forms, but the action of each of them is provided by the same substance called ketorolac. The drug is presented round green tablets at a dosage of 10 mg, which are sold by prescription for 20 pieces in one package. The shelf life of this product is 3 years, the average price is 40-50 rubles for 10 tablets.
The second form of medicine is two percent gel. Each gram of this homogeneous translucent substance contains 20 mg of ketorolac. One tube contains 30 g of gel, is stored for up to 2 years from the date of issue, is sold without a prescription and costs about 240 rubles. This version of Ketorol is for local use only.
There is also injectable form of medicine... It is a colorless or yellow solution filled in 1 ml ampoules. The dosage of the active substance in one such ampoule is 30 mg. This medication is a prescription drug, it costs about 120-130 rubles for 10 ampoules, it is stored for up to 3 years from the date of manufacture. The solution can be administered intravenously or intramuscularly.
Principle of operation and indications
Ketorolac possesses pronounced analgesic effect, as it is able to block the release of compounds called "prostaglandins", as a result of which the pain sensations are muffled and disappear. That is why the main reason for the appointment of "Ketorol" is pain syndrome. The drug is often used in the postoperative period, including after childbirth, if a woman is worried about very severe pain. It is also prescribed for patients with dislocations, fractures and other injuries, muscle and toothache, neuralgia, and joint pain.
Is it allowed during pregnancy?
Annotation to "Ketorol" contains information that this medicine should not be used during the period of childbearing. Pills and injections of such a drug are especially dangerous, since they can:
- disrupt the formation of the internal organs of the baby;
- provoke premature dilatation of the cervix;
- worsen the contractile activity of the uterus;
- cause prolonged labor;
- provoke uterine bleeding;
- cause allergies, rise in blood pressure, edema, anemia and other problems in the mother.
You can use the tablets "Ketorol" only once in the 2nd trimester, if the woman does not have any other medications, but you can't help yourself with non-drug methods. In such a situation, you need to consult a doctor and, under his supervision, take the remedy once. Less stringent restrictions apply to the gel form.
This topical medicine is allowed to be used with caution in the second trimester after a doctor's prescription.
At the same time, it is permissible to lubricate the skin with the gel only in the place where the pain is maximal. The strip of the preparation should not be more than 1-2 cm. Application is recommended in a thin layer, and the skin should be rinsed and dried first. The duration of treatment with this form of "Ketorol", as well as the frequency of treatment, must be checked with the doctor who observes the woman during pregnancy.
Contraindications
Application of "Ketorol" prohibited not only during the period of expectation of the child, but also in many other cases. Such a medication is not used for an ulcerative or inflammatory process in the digestive tract, blood clotting disorders, high potassium levels and severe liver diseases. It is also contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients, severe allergies, and renal impairment leading to renal failure.
Drinking the Ketorol tablet is not recommended for headaches, because this remedy is too strong and a person can help themselves with safer analgesics. Another limitation to taking Ketorol is severe abdominal pain. Taking this or any other pain reliever can interfere with correctly determining the cause of such pain and promptly refer the patient for surgery.
It should also be clarified that the use of "Ketorol" often affects the treatment with other drugs, for example, thrombolytics, antibiotics or anticoagulants. The entire list of drugs incompatible with such an analgesic can be viewed in the paper instructions for the drug. The use of the gel is additionally prohibited for various skin lesions.
Side effects
In addition to a significant list of contraindications, the reason to refuse the use of "Ketorol" during pregnancy are the side effects that often arise from the use of such a drug. These include:
- bronchospasm;
- nausea;
- bleeding from the nose;
- stomach ache;
- diarrhea;
- stomatitis;
- drowsiness;
- constipation;
- back pain;
- flatulence;
- increased urination;
- hearing impairment;
- dyspnea;
- dizziness;
- increased blood pressure;
- skin rash;
- swelling of the limbs or face;
- increased sweating;
- headache and so on.
After lubrication with gel, a negative local reaction is possible, such as rash, peeling or itching.
What to replace?
There are many analogues of "Ketorol" in terms of the active ingredient, but all of them are also contraindicated for expectant mothers, therefore in situations where a woman in a position has severe pain, the doctor is likely to prescribe other pain medications. Most often discharged during pregnancy "Paracetamol" and its analogues. Although it does not completely alleviate severe pain, it is able to alleviate the condition and is relatively harmless to the fetus. Such a drug can be used at any stage of pregnancy, not only for pain, but also at elevated body temperature.
No less popular replacement for "Ketorol" can be called Ibuprofen and medicines that contain the same active ingredient. These drugs effectively relieve pain, help get rid of inflammation and lower body temperature in case of fever. Moreover, they are used with caution in the early stages, and in the 3rd trimester, they try not to use it, since ibuprofen can affect both labor and the condition of the fetus.
Another popular pain reliever that reduces inflammation is "Nimesil". The drug is available in portioned sachets, the granules of which are diluted with water and form an orange suspension. This nimesulide-based medicine, like Ketorol, is not recommended for women in position.
It is permissible to use it only at a later date, once after a doctor's examination, when other analgesics are not available.
Regarding such a well-known pain reliever as "Analgin", most doctors pregnant women are not advised to take this remedy, as it can provoke developmental disorders of the baby and dangerous complications in a woman. However, in the second trimester, a single pill intake is permissible if the medication was prescribed by a doctor (examined the patient and made sure that there are no contraindications), and there are no less dangerous medicines at hand.
In cases where the expectant mother has some kind of inflammatory process in the joints, ligaments, muscles or nerves, Diclofenac is in demand. Such a drug in the form of an ointment, suppositories, eye drops, gel or tablets helps to eliminate inflammation and reduce pain, therefore it is also prescribed for toothaches and headaches, after injuries or surgeries. As for the timing of pregnancy, then "Diclofenac" and its analogs ("Voltaren", "Diklak", "Diklovit", "Ortofen") are prescribed under the supervision of a doctor in the 1st and 2nd trimesters, and in later periods (from the 28th week) such drugs are prohibited for use ...
Reviews
There are mostly positive reviews about the use of Ketorol during the period of childbearing. They are few in number, because usually such a drug is taken once to relieve pain in the second trimester, or they are drunk very early, when they do not yet know about pregnancy. In such cases, a negative effect on the fetus is often not noted.
"Ketorol" has established itself as an effective medicine against pain and inflammation, which is confirmed by the reviews of doctors and patients. However, the risks of side effects of such a drug are quite high, and during pregnancy, this drug can negatively affect both the expectant mother and the developing child. And therefore, taking it while carrying a baby is contraindicated. If a woman needs medicine for pain, it is best to contact a specialist who will select a medication that does not have a harmful effect on the fetus and the body of the expectant mother.
The use of "Ketorol" during pregnancy without a doctor's prescription is prohibited.
For instructions on the use of the drug "Ketorol", see the following video.
