Nurofen for children during pregnancy

The use of most drugs during the period of gestation can be dangerous to the fetus. Fearing the negative consequences, expectant mothers only take medicines in serious situations, for example, with fever or severe pain.

In childhood, with such symptoms, Nurofen for Children is often prescribed, which is allowed from 3 months. Such a drug is safe for infants, but during pregnancy there are some restrictions for taking it.

Features of the drug

Nurofen for Children, which differs from its counterparts for adults in the yellow-orange color of the box, is presented in three options.

Rectal suppositories, packed in 10 pieces in one pack. They have a white color, smooth surface and an elongated shape.
Suspension, which many moms mistakenly call syrup. She has a sweet taste and an orange or strawberry scent. The drug is sold in plastic bottles of 100-200 ml with a dosing syringe.
Pills, packaged in blisters of 8 pieces. They have a white dense shell, small size and round shape.

Each of these types of the drug contains ibuprofen, which is the main ingredient in Nurofen for Children. Its dosage in each candle is 60 mg, in five milliliters of liquid sweet medicine - 100 mg, and in one tablet - 200 mg.

This substance has three properties, thanks to which "Nurofen" is in demand for colds, acute respiratory infections and pains:

reduction in pain;
decrease in body temperature if the patient has a fever;
anti-inflammatory effect.

This effect of ibuprofen is due to its ability to block cyclooxygenase. These are enzymes that regulate the production of prostaglandins - substances that are formed in the body during a temperature and inflammatory reaction, as well as pain.

Is it taken during pregnancy?

The recommendations of doctors and the manufacturer regarding the use of Nurofen for Children during the period of gestation differ depending on the duration of pregnancy.

In the 1st trimester such a medicine can be used when the temperature rises or severe pain, if the risk of side effects of Nurofen on the fetus is less than the effects of fever and other symptoms of the future mother's illness. For example, if the thermometer reads 38.5 degrees or higher, this poses a danger to the crumbs in the tummy, so it will be better to drink a pill or suspension. However, with a slight rise in temperature or tolerable pain, it is better to refuse taking Nurofen in the first trimester. Although rare, such a medicine can cause malformations in an infant, therefore, it should be taken in the first 12 weeks only when urgently needed and after consulting a doctor.
Reception of "Nurofen for Children" in the 2nd trimester it is considered safe, since during this period the fetus is more resistant to any external influences, and the placenta protects it from many harmful substances in the mother's blood. However, even at this time, it is not recommended to drink the drug without medical supervision, since there may be some restrictions for it. For example, if the development of some of the baby's organs is impaired, Nurofen can adversely affect the child and worsen his condition.
Third trimester indicated in contraindications to any form of "Nurofen". If the gestation period is more than 28 weeks, then it is prohibited to use such a drug even at very high temperatures or unbearable pain.

Ibuprofen is able to inhibit the contractile activity of the uterus, which leads to prolonged and prolonged labor, and also increases the risk of bleeding. In addition, in the 3rd trimester, this substance can badly affect the kidneys and heart of the fetus.

Benefits of baby medicine

Many expectant mothers prefer “Nurofen for Children” instead of analogs for adults, considering the drug dosages for children to be safe. If we talk about a suspension, then this drug does have some advantages.... One of them is the ability to change the dosage depending on the patient's body weight and the effect of the drug. Since the tabletted "Nurofen" has a dense coating and it is impossible to divide the tablet into parts, the suspension is more profitable, since it allows you to use the minimum dose.

As for the suppositories, their main plus is the minimum of components, because in such a dosage form only ibuprofen and a fatty base are present. They also help out with nausea or vomiting.

The dose of the active substance in the children's suppository is too small for a pregnant woman, therefore, it is inappropriate to use this form of Nurofen.

But the tablets for children are no different from the drug for adults, since the dosage of ibuprofen in one adult tablet is also 200 mg.

Indications

The most common reason to take Nurofen for Children during pregnancy is a very high body temperature. This symptom can be an infection or inflammation, such as acute otitis media or flu. No less often, expectant mothers drink "Nurofen" to get rid of headaches and toothaches, as well as painful sensations in the joints and muscles, which often bother pregnant women.

Application features

If the expectant mother accepts suspension, then before each use such "Nurofen" must be shaken... The solution is drawn up with a syringe and drunk at the end of a meal or after a meal. It is advisable to check the dosage of this medication with a doctor. The tablet preparation is swallowed with water. It should also be taken after meals, and a single dose is 1-2 tablets.

If the medication needs to be taken again, it is permissible to do this no earlier than six hours after the previous dose.... It is recommended to use "Nurofen" only occasionally, when the pain is very disturbing or the temperature is very high. If the pain has passed, and the thermometer shows a normal temperature, you cannot take the drug for prevention. The recommended duration of treatment is up to 3 days.

If there is no effect after three days of taking Nurofen, a second consultation with a doctor is required.

Contraindications and side effects

Any "Nurofen" is contraindicated in women with hypersensitivity to ibuprofen. In addition, such medications should not be taken by expectant mothers with liver disease, since the load on this organ will increase, as well as with erosions, inflammation or ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract.

The use of children's "Nurofen" should be abandoned both in case of severe kidney pathologies and in case of changes in the coagulogram.

The instructions for tablets, suppositories and suspensions indicate quite a few pathological conditions in which such funds are used only under medical supervision. Therefore, the use of "Nurofen" without the appointment of a specialist during pregnancy is not recommended.

As for the negative impact on the body of the expectant mother, "Nurofen" can provoke nausea, itching of the skin, diarrhea, headache, weakness, tachycardia and other side effects. If they occur, you must refuse to continue taking such a drug.

Reviews

Women who resorted to the help of Nurofen for Children during pregnancy with fever and pains respond generally positively to this medicine. Its advantages are called effective action and good tolerance. The tablets are praised for their small size, the suspension for their pleasant taste and lack of sugar. Among the disadvantages, high price and side effects are sometimes mentioned.

Analogs

If the children's "Nurofen" is not in the pharmacy, it can be replaced with another drug with the same active substance - "Ibufen", "Ibuprofen", "Mig 200" and so on. In addition, paracetamol preparations can be used for high fever or severe pain. Unlike Nurofen, such drugs can be used at any stage of pregnancy.