Can pregnant women take Nurofen? Use of children's Nurofen during pregnancy. Contraindications for use
No matter how hard women try to protect themselves from pain, migraines, and colds during pregnancy, they cannot always be completely protected. Doctors often prescribe Nurofen as an analgesic and antipyretic drug, which, however, has a whole list of contraindications. To reduce the likelihood of negative consequences, the doctor may prescribe Nurofen for children rather than adults.
Modern painkiller
Nurofen for children is a drug related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is used in the complex treatment of diseases that are accompanied by severe pain, inflammation and high fever. The main component of the drug is ibuprofen, its action is based on the suppression of the synthesis of prostaglandins - biologically active substances that are the direct cause of pain, inflammation and fever.
Nurofen suspension for children is an ibuprofen-based drug related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
The drug is quickly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and reaches the affected areas along with the bloodstream. Typically, patients notice relief from symptoms within an hour after taking it, and after 3 hours the maximum effect appears - the fever goes away and pain decreases.
Is it possible to use children's Nurofen during pregnancy?
This question worries many pregnant women who are in search of a reliable, effective and, of course, safe medicine to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Taking ibuprofen while pregnant is possible only if the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk of possible consequences for the child. In addition, one of the direct contraindications is the third trimester of pregnancy.
Is children's Nurofen safer for an expectant mother than a regular “adult” pill? No. The active component of the drug in all its dosage forms is ibuprofen, only the dosage differs. Therefore, it is necessary to take this remedy with caution, taking into account contraindications and side effects.
Release forms and dosages
Nurofen for children is available in three dosage forms with different dosages of the active substance:
- clear sweet suspension with citrus or strawberry flavor (5 ml of suspension contains 100 mg of ibuprofen);
- rectal suppositories (one suppository contains 60 mg of active substance);
- tablets (200 mg ibuprofen).
Many people mistakenly call Nurofen suspension syrup. However, these are different forms. A suspension is a suspension of insoluble particles in a liquid, and a syrup is a concentrated sugar solution.
The dosage of the suspension is selected according to the instructions, depending on the age and body weight of the child. 5 ml of suspension in the amount of ibuprofen (100 mg) is equal to half of the children's Nurofen tablet.
Note! Most ibuprofen tablets intended for adults have the same dosage - 200 mg. Thus, taking two measured syringes of Nurofen children's suspension, in fact, will be no different from drinking an “adult” tablet.
The Nurofen rectal suppository has a small amount of active substance, which may be ineffective, so the advisability of using suppositories for infants by a pregnant woman should be determined by a doctor. On the other hand, candles do not contain sweeteners or fragrances that can cause allergies.
You most likely will not be able to choose the appropriate form of Nurofen on your own, much less correctly calculate the required and effective dose of the medicine. Be sure to contact your doctor, who will prescribe a specific regimen for you.
Headache, temperature and other indications
Children's Nurofen relieves almost all types of pain, with the exception of discomfort in the digestive system, liver and spleen. The medicine is prescribed to pregnant women as an effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent for conditions such as:
- headache;
- pain due to adnexitis (inflammation of the uterine appendages);
- inflammatory and infectious diseases of the pelvic organs;
- toothache;
- joint pain of various origins (arthritis, rheumatism);
- muscle pain from bruises and sprains;
- febrile conditions due to viral infections (influenza, acute respiratory diseases).
Children's Nurofen is most often prescribed for headaches
Nurofen for children is a symptomatic medicine that relieves only pain. It does not relieve a pregnant woman from the very cause of the pain, but only complements the action of other medications included in the complex treatment regimen for the disease.
Instructions for taking the drug for different periods
Medical opinions regarding the prescription of Nurofen for children to pregnant women differ significantly. Some doctors believe that this particular medicine for children will not harm the mother and fetus, others believe that it is better to take a regular “adult” pill once and be confident in its effectiveness, and still others are categorically against the use of ibuprofen at all stages of pregnancy.
First trimester
Even children's forms of Nurofen are undesirable for use in the first three months of pregnancy. However, this applies to many medications, since it is during this period that the formation of vital tissues and organs of the fetus occurs.
There are no reliable and accurate data on the safety of Nurofen for children in the first trimester of pregnancy. The best option is to choose another pain reliever that is approved for use by pregnant women. The most commonly prescribed drugs are paracetamol-based.
Second trimester
During this period, the placenta has already formed, and taking medications does not have such a strong effect on the development of the fetus. However, Nurofen can be used for children only for medical reasons and after consultation with a specialist.
If the gynecologist threatens miscarriage, then Nurofen and other ibuprofen derivatives should be avoided.
Third trimester
Nurofen is strictly prohibited for use by children in the last months of pregnancy. Firstly, the active substance can provoke premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus. Secondly, ibuprofen affects the uterus, inhibiting its contractility. Therefore, sometimes taking the medicine leads to post-term pregnancy and serious complications during the birth process.
Nurofen is prohibited at the end of pregnancy due to the high risk of complications
For pregnant women, doctors recommend the use of minimum effective doses of Nurofen for the shortest possible course of use. If after 3-4 days the symptoms have not disappeared, you should stop taking it and consult your doctor.
For severe chronic diseases that are accompanied by inflammatory processes and prolonged pain, it is possible to prescribe a long course of treatment with Nurofen, but only under constant medical supervision.
During the entire period of taking children's Nurofen, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the stomach, since the drug often provokes gastropathy. If unpleasant symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract occur, an examination is carried out, based on the results of which the doctor makes a decision to continue or stop treatment.
Contraindications and side effects
The ban on the use of Nurofen for children while pregnant is based on the properties of the active ingredient - ibuprofen. Let us repeat: Nurofen, even in children’s forms, is undesirable in the first place and is strictly contraindicated in the first case.third trimester of pregnancy.
The doctor will also not prescribe this drug to the patient if she has:
- hypersensitivity to ibuprofen or auxiliary components of the drug;
- bronchial asthma;
- peptic ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract;
- history of tendency to bleeding caused by taking NSAIDs;
- severe renal or liver failure;
- hemophilia and other blood clotting disorders.
Bronchial asthma is one of the contraindications for taking Nurofen during pregnancy
The likelihood of undesirable consequences will be least if a pregnant woman takes the medicine for a short course, in the minimum dosage necessary to eliminate acute symptoms.
When taking Nurofen for children, the following side effects may occur:
- anemia with mouth ulcers, weakness, nosebleeds;
- bronchospasms, shortness of breath;
- allergic reactions (itching, urticaria, rhinitis);
- severe allergic conditions (anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema);
- dyspepsia (disorder of the digestive system), diarrhea, nausea;
- acute renal failure;
- increased blood pressure;
- heart failure.
Most side effects are classified as rare or very rare (occurrence rate is one case in 10 thousand people). Still, if any undesirable effect occurs, you should stop taking Nurofen and consult a doctor.
Analogues of children's Nurofen during pregnancy
The pharmaceutical market offers a wide range of ibuprofen-based drugs belonging to different price categories. Some of them, according to the instructions, are also suitable for pregnant women.
Before replacing Nurofen for children with a drug that has a similar therapeutic effect, consultation with a doctor is required!
Table: pharmacological analogues of Nurofen prescribed to pregnant women
Name | Release form | Indications | Contraindications | Use during pregnancy |
|
|
| With caution in the 1st and 2nd trimester, prohibited in the 3rd trimester. |
|
Suspension 100 mg/5 ml |
|
| Prohibited in the third trimester. |
|
Dragee 200 mg |
|
| Prohibited in the third trimester. |
|
Tablets 200 mg |
|
| No clinical studies have been conducted. |
Photo gallery: options for replacing children's Nurofen
Ibufen suspension is a complete analogue of Ibuprofen suspension, has antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory effects 
Ibuprofen tablets have a 200 mg dosage, similar to children's Nurofen tablets 
Advil is available in the form of tablets, the amount of ibuprofen is identical to Nurofen tablets for children 
Ibuprofen suspension is an affordable analogue of Nurofen suspension for children 
Be careful: MIG tablets differ from MIG 400 tablets in the dosage of ibuprofen
All prudent expectant mothers are very careful and attentive to their health. A responsible attitude is also manifested in the choice of medications. Most of those that women get used to before the onset of an “interesting” situation” are prohibited during this period. Is it possible to take the popular Nurofen during pregnancy? What should expectant mothers know about its varieties?
Briefly about the drug
It is an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent. This triple action is precisely why Nurofen is present in many family medicine cabinets.
The main active ingredient of the medicine is ibuprofen. The pronounced effect of taking this drug occurs after 3 hours. Adult patients are usually prescribed a tablet form of the drug (effervescent or regular). The instructions state that the initial dose of the drug for an adult is 200 mg. You can take it 3-4 times a day.
Pregnancy and Nurofen
If in the recent past a woman has constantly used medication to reduce and relieve pain of various etiologies, is it possible for her to continue to do this while carrying a baby? There is no clear answer to this question.
In principle, Nurofen will also help the expectant mother during pregnancy. But in the long term this may result in negative consequences for her. After all, the drug contributes to developmental disorders of the genital organs in boys. The instructions for the medicine say that when carrying a child, it can be used in the 1st and 2nd trimesters only when the intended benefit to the woman outweighs the risk to the unborn baby. In the third trimester, its use is strictly prohibited. After all, the drug can cause uterine contractions. And this is a threat of premature birth.
By the way, NurofenPlus, according to the instructions, regardless of the period, cannot be taken during pregnancy.
Nurofen for children and pregnancy
This form of the drug is a medicine whose main active ingredient is also ibuprofen. But for young patients, the product is available in the form of a suspension enriched with citrus flavor. Children like this medicine. Children's Nurofen contains no alcohol, dyes, or sugar. Therefore, it does not have a negative effect on the body of the expectant mother and children. The drug, according to the instructions, is recommended to be taken at high temperatures in children, inflammatory processes, dental, ear, inflammation of the lymph nodes, sprains, bruises, fractures. The effect of the children's medicine begins 15-20 minutes after administration. It lasts about 6-7 hours.
The peculiarity of Nurofen for children is that its dose is calculated depending on the weight of the young patient. That is, taking a minimum dose of children's Nurofen (as a way to protect yourself from its side effects) during pregnancy is inappropriate. By the way, you also need to know about possible adverse reactions.
From the digestive system, these are vomiting, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, anorexia, flatulence, abdominal pain, dry mouth, constipation. The central nervous system may respond to the medication with headache, insomnia, drowsiness, and hearing loss. The visual system may “protest” against the use of the drug with blurred vision, eye irritation, and dryness, and the cardiac system with tachycardia and increased blood pressure.
Side effects of Nurofen may include cystitis, polyuria, acute renal failure, nephritis, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis. The skin sometimes reacts to the drug with itching, rash, urticaria, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock, and the respiratory system with shortness of breath and bronchospasm.
So, there are many side effects, but pharmacists emphasize that they can only appear with long-term use of the drug. If the pregnant woman is suspicious or the pregnancy is accompanied by complications, then it is still better not to take children’s Nurofen on an ongoing basis. Perhaps a single dose will not cause harm to the expectant mother’s body. But in any case, it would be useful to consult with your doctor. And ideally, it is better not to get sick or to use folk remedies for the above pathological conditions, especially in the first trimester.
While carrying a baby, a woman’s body becomes vulnerable, so expectant mothers often suffer from colds and viral diseases, which are accompanied by fever and headaches. If the scale on the thermometer shows high values, you need to take immediate action. There are many antipyretic drugs, but not all are used during pregnancy. Doctors often recommend Nurofen for children.
Composition and effect of the drug
Nurofen for children is a well-known suspension, the active ingredient of which is ibuprofen, which has the following effect:
- antipyretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- painkillers.
The drug is available in the form of syrup, tablets and suppositories. Each of the three dosage forms differs in the amount of active substance: in one suppository - 60 mg of ibuprofen, in one tablet - 200 mg, and in 5 ml of suspension - 100 mg of active substance.
Release forms of Nurofen for children - photo gallery
Antipyretic agent in the form of suppositories 
Tablets to quickly reduce fever and pain 
The oral suspension does not contain sugar, alcohol or dyes.
In what trimester can expectant mothers drink the suspension?
Nurofen is prescribed only in the 1st and 2nd trimesters after carefully studying all the symptoms and comparing the risk to the fetus and the benefit to the mother. After 30 weeks, the drug is contraindicated because it can affect the course of pregnancy and the health of the baby.
During the period of bearing a child, doctors usually recommend a suspension. Nurofen for children is not used in tablet form: the dose of the active substance in it is the same as in the drug for adults. Suppositories contain the least amount of ibuprofen, so they often do not give the desired effect.
While expecting a baby, a woman should take care of herself and not put her health at risk, but colds and viruses are often not avoided. If the disease cannot be avoided, then measures must be taken.
- First of all, Nurofen is used during pregnancy as an effective antipyretic for colds or acute respiratory viral infections.
- Due to hormonal changes in the body, expectant mothers often suffer from headaches, which can develop into headaches. If the symptoms are very strong, the doctor may prescribe Nurofen for children.
- Lack of calcium and other vitamins and minerals during gestation often leads to problems with teeth and joints. If a woman experiences severe toothache or muscle pain, the doctor prescribes Nurofen for quick pain relief.
High temperature is extremely undesirable for a pregnant woman. Experts emphasize that if it reaches 37.5 degrees, then it needs to be lowered. Heat contributes to blood thickening, and this can impair blood circulation: oxygen and nutrients reach the fetus in insufficient quantities.
The most dangerous thing for the unborn baby is considered to be an increase in temperature in the first trimester. Fever for 2–3 days or more can lead to malformations or fetal death.
Treatment of colds during pregnancy - video
Features of use for headaches and fever
When prescribing Nurofen, the doctor calculates the required dose of the drug and the duration of use, guided by the principle: the drug must be taken in the shortest possible course and in the minimum effective dose necessary to eliminate symptoms.
The suspension must be shaken before use. You can accurately measure the required dosage using a measuring syringe, which, after taking the drug orally, should be rinsed in warm water and dried.
Contraindications and side effects according to instructions
Nurofen is an effective drug that is used to relieve pain symptoms and reduce body temperature. But, like any medicine, it has a number of contraindications.
- It is strictly forbidden to use the suspension in the third trimester of pregnancy. Ibuprofen affects the contractile activity of the uterus, which can lead to post-term pregnancy and complications during childbirth. In addition, the substance can reduce the volume of amniotic fluid, cause kidney pathologies and premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.
- If a woman suffers from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, she should definitely notify her doctor. Nurofen should not be used for ulcerative lesions of the gastric or intestinal mucosa.
- Problems with the cardiovascular system, heart failure are a direct contraindication to taking an antipyretic.
- Ibuprofen-based medications should not be taken if a woman has increased blood clotting.
- During pregnancy, all organs work with redoubled force, often the kidneys and liver cannot cope and they require medical assistance. If the expectant mother has a history or during pregnancy of liver and kidney diseases (renal and liver failure), Nurofen is not prescribed.
- The drug should not be used for “aspirin-induced” bronchial asthma, which occurs due to intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid.
Negative reactions make themselves felt as follows:
- from the gastrointestinal tract:
- nausea and vomiting;
- feeling of discomfort or pain in the epigastrium;
- laxative effect;
- the occurrence of erosive and ulcerative lesions and gastrointestinal bleeding;
- allergic reactions:
- skin rash and itching;
- exacerbation of bronchial asthma;
- angioedema;
- anaphylactoid reactions and anaphylactic shock;
- bronchospasm;
- fever;
- exudative erythema multiforme (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome);
- toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's syndrome);
- from the nervous system:
- headache and dizziness;
- psychomotor agitation;
- insomnia;
- the cardiovascular system:
- cardiopalmus;
- increased blood pressure;
- from the hematopoietic organs:
- anemia;
- decrease in the number of platelets and leukocytes in the blood;
- from the urinary system:
- renal dysfunction;
- cystitis.
If a woman experiences unwanted side effects while taking it, she should immediately stop using Nurofen and consult a doctor.
Drug interactions
Nurofen should not be taken simultaneously with other antipyretics or pain relievers. There are situations when the doctor prescribes alternating medications based on ibuprofen and paracetamol. In this case, the interval between taking the suspension and the other medicine should not be less than four hours.
If a woman has problems with blood clotting and is taking anticoagulants (drugs that prevent blood clots from forming in the bloodstream), you need to notify your doctor.
Often during pregnancy, expectant mothers experience high blood pressure. This condition is corrected with the help of medications. The simultaneous use of these drugs with Nurofen reduces their effect.
Use of medications during pregnancy: doctor's opinion - video
How to replace Nurofen for children during pregnancy
In some cases, a woman may be contraindicated in taking Nurofen, for example, if she has an allergic reaction to the taste components of the drug. In such a situation, the doctor will select another remedy based on ibuprofen or paracetamol. Ibufen, Advil, Bofen, which are complete analogues of the English suspension, or the drugs Panadol and Efferalgan are often prescribed.
Preparations based on ibuprofen and paracetamol - photo gallery
Ibufen - suspension with ibuprofen, analogue of Nurofen 
Advil for children - oral suspension made in France 
Bofen suspension - an analogue of Nurofen from Ukraine 
Efferalgan - syrup with a pleasant taste based on paracetamol 
Panadol for children is an antipyretic and pain reliever based on paracetamol
Comparative characteristics of drugs to replace Nurofen - table
| Name | Release form | Active substance | Contraindications | Use during pregnancy |
| oral suspension | ibuprofen 100 mg in 5 ml |
| The drug should not be used in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Use in the 1st and 2nd trimesters is possible only on the recommendation of a doctor, who will prescribe a safe dose and determine the time of administration. | |
| Advil for children | ||||
| suspension for oral administration | paracetamol 120 mg in 5 ml |
| The use of the drug is possible only as prescribed by a doctor. | |
| Efferalgan | syrup (for children) | paracetamol 30 mg in 1 ml |
|
A responsible woman, as soon as she realizes that she is pregnant, she immediately changes her attitude towards herself. Gives up bad habits - if they existed, tries to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet, reduces vital activity, tries to limit himself from contact with sick people during the transition period.
It is not always possible to avoid the relapse of chronic diseases and the emergence of new ones. If a woman, when her health deteriorates, is accustomed to using Nurofen, can she use the usual remedy during pregnancy?
How does the drug affect fetal development and what can replace it?
"Nurofen"
This drug is a non-steroidal drug that has analgesic and antipyretic properties. The active ingredient is ibuprofen.
Available in the form of simple and effervescent water-soluble tablets, suspension, syrup, rectal suppositories, ointment and gel for external use.
Depending on the form, it can be used for children from 3 months of age - in syrup, suspension and in the form of suppositories, in tablet form - for adults and adolescents.
Pharmacological properties: upon penetration into the blood, ibuprofen blocks the occurrence of inflammatory reactions, stimulates the production of natural interferon, increases the body's activity and ability to resist the development of pathological processes.
Indications for prescribing the drug are the following diseases and conditions:
- viral diseases of infectious nature;
- pain relief from radiculitis, neuritis, rheumatism, myositis;
- relieves muscle pain after sports injuries and menstrual pain in women.
Used to relieve toothache, and is sometimes prescribed for vascular disorders.
Despite its popularity among doctors and patients and the frequency of use, this remedy is not considered safe. The main adverse effect is on the mucous membrane of the digestive organs - the stomach and duodenum. If there is a history of erosive or ulcerative lesions of these organs, it is recommended to use other painkillers.
In addition to diseases of the digestive system, contraindications to the use of Nurofen are:
- severe heart failure and arterial hypertension;
- diseases of the hematopoietic system;
- diseases of the organ of vision;
- dysfunction of urination;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- aspirin triad;
- age up to 3 months.
The dose of the drug and the frequency of administration depend on the age and weight of the patient - a daily dose of 1200 mg is recommended for adults, divided into 3-4 doses.
With a short course of treatment - up to 3 days - the risk of side effects is minimal.
The following side effects may occur when using the drug:
- allergic skin reactions of various types and severity;
- dizziness, drowsiness or insomnia, headache;
- changes in blood pressure;
- heart rhythm disturbances;
- violation of hematopoietic function;
- shortness of breath, bronchospasm;
- blurred vision;
- noise in ears;
- digestive disorders of various types;
- stomach ache;
- erosive lesions of the gastrointestinal tract;
- obstructive jaundice.
The instructions say that you should absolutely not use Nurofen for pregnant women in the 3rd trimester. Can it be used in the early stages?
"Nurofen" during pregnancy
Having fallen ill in the early stages, a woman begins to panic and does not know what medications can be used and whether this should be done?
Some believe that let the body fight the virus on its own - nature knows what to do, and medications can cause serious damage to the unborn baby during the formation of organic systems.
But you need to realize that a viral infection also negatively affects the formation of the fetus and can provoke various pathologies, and it should be gotten rid of in a short time. Often, doctors, weighing the risk of using a medication and the disease on the body, decide to prescribe a medicine, despite the “special” condition. Does this rule apply to Nurofen?
- This drug is considered dangerous for use in the 1st trimester, as it has a negative effect on the development of the reproductive system, especially for unborn boys. For girls, use is also dangerous - it has a depressing effect on the hematopoietic system. Therefore, even children’s Nurofen cannot be used during pregnancy in the 1st trimester. Observations have shown that negative effects can occur even with a single use.
- In the 3rd trimester, this drug must be completely abandoned. It increases the contractility of the uterus, which at this stage can provoke uterine bleeding and premature birth.
Is it possible to use the children's drug "Nurofen" during pregnancy as an antipyretic and analgesic in the 2nd trimester?
If you are already very accustomed to using it, then yes, but why? A pediatric dose is unlikely to have a pronounced effect on an adult woman, whose weight – due to her “interesting” position – has increased significantly. The dosage will be insufficient, and the effect of taking the drug will be minimal.
So is it worth the risk?
You need to leave children's Nurofen to the children, and use painkillers and antipyretics yourself, which are not so aggressive.
The safest antipyretics and painkillers during pregnancy
One of the safest medications throughout pregnancy is paracetamol. It simultaneously has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces temperature, and dulls pain.
- But this does not mean at all that it can be taken in unlimited quantities. Maximum dosage – 4 tablets per day – up to 2000 mg.
- You should not undergo a course of treatment - as soon as the adverse symptoms caused by a relapse of a chronic process or a new infection - fever and aches - go away, the medicine should be abandoned. You will have to undergo further treatment after childbirth.
During pregnancy, you can use the following drugs containing paracetamol:
- "Dolamin";
- "Efferalgan";
- "Panadol";
- "Alvedon";
- "Tylenol."
If the drug contains not only paracetamol, but also other components caffeine, pheniramine maleate or phenylephrine, the drug should be discarded.
- In special conditions, it is permissible to use Analgin once for various types of pain or use it for up to 3 days at high temperatures. The drug should be used with caution - it provokes the development of anemia in the mother's body.
- “No-spa” will relieve pain of a spasmodic nature - it has a beneficial effect on the tone of the uterus, reducing it. If the painful effect is severe, then “Baralgin” or “Spazmalgon” in the form of injections can be used.
- But for muscle pain caused by sprains of muscles and ligaments, which appear due to increased load on the musculoskeletal system, it is permissible to use Nurofen-gel during pregnancy.
The gel acts locally, is not absorbed into the bloodstream, does not enter the placental circulation and does not in any way affect the development of the fetus.
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