"Ibuprofen" during pregnancy: instructions for use

"Ibuprofen" has established itself as an effective remedy for pain of different localization and increased body temperature. He is often kept in the home medicine cabinet and is drunk for headaches, fever with flu and other situations. But during pregnancy, the use of this medication without a doctor's prescription is not recommended, because in some cases it can harm the fetus or cause problems during childbirth.

Features of the drug

Ibuprofen is produced by many pharmaceutical companies and is widely available in pharmacies in many dosage forms.

Rectal suppositories. They are characterized by their oblong shape, smooth surface and white color. This "Ibuprofen" is sold in boxes of 10 candles.
A suspension sometimes called a syrup. This variant of the medicine is especially used in babies due to its liquid consistency and sweet orange flavor. Its advantage is the ability to accurately dose with a syringe or spoon for patients of different ages and weights. The suspension is sold in 100 ml bottles made of plastic or glass.
Pills. They are available in 2 dosages and are sold in boxes of 10-50 tablets. They have a white, yellowish or pink shell and a round shape. Medisorb also produces Ibuprofen capsules, which have a white-green gelatinous shell and white powdery contents.
Ointment and gel... Such local forms of "Ibuprofen" have a white or yellowish color, a specific smell and a 5% concentration. The ointment is sold in tubes of 25 grams, gel - in tubes of 20-100 grams.

Each of these variants of the drug acts due to the active substance of the same name. Its dosage in one suppository is 60 mg, in 5 ml of sweet suspension - 100 mg, in 1 g of gel or ointment - 50 mg, in 1 capsule - 200 mg, and in 1 tablet - 200 or 400 mg.

Excipients differ in different forms of the drug. Their full list is indicated in the annotation and should be clarified for patients who may have intolerance to such ingredients.

How does it work?

Ibuprofen has the following properties:

reduce pain;
lower body temperature if it rises above normal;
prevent the inflammatory process.

These therapeutic effects of "Ibuprofen" are due to its effect on enzymes, which are called "cyclooxygenases". Such compounds are responsible for the synthesis of prostaglandins produced in the body during painful, inflammatory and temperature reactions. By blocking the formation of these substances, the drug helps to eliminate pain and fever, and also helps to get rid of the inflammatory process more quickly.

Is it prescribed during pregnancy?

Medical recommendations for taking "Ibuprofen" inside while waiting for the baby differ for different periods of pregnancy.

The use of such a drug in the 1st trimester is permissible, but undesirable. The expectant mother can drink pills or suspensions only in situations where fever or pain syndrome is more dangerous than the possible effect of the medication on the fetus. For example, if a woman's body temperature has risen above +38.5 degrees, it is dangerous for the development of the baby, and taking Ibuprofen is justified. If the fever is small, and the pain is tolerable, it is worth abandoning the use of such a medicine in the early stages. In rare cases, the drug can cause defects in a child, so in the first trimester it is taken only after a doctor's prescription. The same restrictions are noted when planning pregnancy.
It is relatively safe to use the drug in the 2nd trimester, because at this time the baby is protected from external influences with the help of the placenta. However, even during this period it is not worth using Ibuprofen without the doctor's recommendations, since there may be certain restrictions on taking the medication. For example, if a baby is found to have abnormalities in the development of internal organs, treatment with Ibuprofen can cause negative consequences.
The use of the drug in the 3rd trimester is contraindicated. At this time, the use of oral forms of "Ibuprofen" is prohibited, as it can affect the condition of the uterus, causing prolonged pregnancy, prolonged labor or bleeding in the postpartum period. In addition, treatment with such a drug at a later date can affect the condition of the heart and kidneys of the fetus.

As for the external use of gels and ointments containing ibuprofen, such drugs, due only to the local effect, are considered harmless to the fetus, therefore they can be prescribed in 1-2 trimesters. They enter the bloodstream in minimal amounts and do not affect the course of early pregnancy in any way.

However, their use in expectant mothers must necessarily be agreed with the doctor, and in the 3rd trimester, such drugs as tablets, suspensions or capsules are also prohibited.

Indications

The most common reason for using Ibuprofen while waiting for a baby is a very high fever. This symptom occurs with inflammation or infection, for example, if the expectant mother caught the flu, she developed acute otitis media or sore throat. In addition, the medication is in demand for pain, as it helps to get rid of toothache, headache, muscle and other pains that often occur in pregnant women. Gel and ointment are prescribed for inflammation of the joints, muscle and ligament injuries, as well as neuralgia.

Instructions for use

If the doctor prescribed "Ibuprofen" in suspension, then before use, the drug must be shaken and only then taken with a measuring syringe or spoon. It is necessary to take such a medicine after meals, and the dosage should be checked with a specialist.

"Ibuprofen" tablets are swallowed without being bitten. The medication is also recommended to be taken after meals and washed down with clean water. A single dose of a tablet drug or "Ibuprofen" in capsules is 200-400 mg. If you need to drink the drug again, this is allowed only 6 hours after taking the previous dose.

The drug in the form of suppositories in pregnant women is not used, since the dosage of the active substance in one candle is insufficient for a pronounced therapeutic effect (this version of the medicine is for children and is in demand in children under 2 years old)

Long-term use of Ibuprofen is not recommended. You should take tablets and capsules only sporadically. As soon as the pain has passed and the temperature has dropped, the intake is stopped immediately. The maximum duration of use of "Ibuprofen" is 3 days. If no positive changes have been noted during this time, you need to consult a doctor again.

Local forms of "Ibuprofen" are applied to the inflamed or injured area in a small amount, and then rubbed. Do not lubricate open wounds and infected skin areas with such products. Treatment frequency - maximum 4 times a day at intervals of at least 4 hours. The duration of treatment with a gel or ointment can be up to 2 weeks, but only after the appointment of a specialist.

Contraindications

Any form of "Ibuprofen" is prohibited if a woman has hypersensitivity to its components. The drug is also not recommended for liver diseases, as it increases the load on this organ. The use of tablets, capsules and suspensions is also contraindicated for various lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (inflammation, ulcer, erosion, bleeding). In addition, the drug is not prescribed for renal failure and changes in blood composition. In addition, there are many diseases in which taking "Ibuprofen" requires caution and medical supervision.

That is why the use of this drug even in the 2nd trimester without prescription is not recommended.

Side effect

Some expectant mothers react to Ibuprofen with a skin rash, nausea, weakness, abdominal pain, bronchospasm, tachycardia, sleep disturbances, heartburn, runny nose, edema, flatulence and other negative symptoms. Their occurrence requires a doctor's consultation and discontinuation of the drug. In such a situation, in case of pain or an increase in temperature, the patient will have to resort to an analogue that will not cause side symptoms, for example, drink Efferalgan.

In addition, a harmful effect on a woman's body is possible both when the dosage is exceeded, and with too long treatment. If a woman drinks a fairly large dose, it can provoke nausea, abdominal pain, headache, tinnitus, and other symptoms. If the overdose is small, it is recommended to rinse the stomach and take a sorbent, and in case of severe poisoning, hospitalization is necessary.

The negative effect of "Ibuprofen" is also found when it is combined with some drugs. If the pregnant woman has already been prescribed anticoagulants, other anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, certain antibiotics or cardiac glycosides, unwanted side effects are possible.

A complete list of products that cannot be used simultaneously with Ibuprofen can be found in the paper annotation to the drug. This must be done by pregnant women who are forced to take other medications to treat chronic pathologies.

Reviews

Women who have had the experience of using Ibuprofen during pregnancy respond mostly well to this drug. They note its effectiveness for pain and heat, call it affordable, and praise it for its large selection of forms. According to them, such a medication was generally tolerated normally, but in some expectant mothers it still caused a negative reaction, which is why it had to be canceled, choosing an equally effective replacement.

Analogs

The most popular drug that can replace Ibuprofen is Nurofen. This medicine also works thanks to ibuprofen, is presented in different forms (suspension, tablets, capsules, local remedies), is used for the same indications, but costs a little more. Nurofen is also banned in the 3rd trimester, and is used with caution in the early stages.

If a woman has a high fever or severe pain, such drugs can be replaced with one of the paracetamol preparations. These medicines are also used under the supervision of a doctor, but they are not contraindicated in the later stages, therefore they can be used in case of fever or pain in the last months of gestation.