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Nurofen in pregnancy

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Many women take Nurofen during pregnancy. But is this drug safe for expectant mothers, in what cases should it be taken and what should be the dosage? Let's look at the most pressing questions about taking Nurofen during pregnancy.

A danger to the child is any disease of the expectant mother that causes painful sensations and complications. Joint pain can be a manifestation of rheumatism, and headaches can be the cause of high blood pressure. But how to treat the above-described painful manifestations? Many women use the drug Nurofen for these purposes. Nurofen is an anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drug. The drug belongs to a number of drugs with the active substance ibuprofen.

Nurofen during pregnancy

Nurofen is a non-hormonal drug that fights inflammatory processes in the body. The drug's action is based on the suppression of prostaglandin synthesis due to the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase enzyme. Despite such effectiveness, this drug is potentially harmful to a pregnant woman. Taking the drug in the first trimester of pregnancy is a potential threat of developing fetal abnormalities. And the use of Nurofen in the last months of pregnancy is the cause of post-term pregnancy and complications during the birth process.

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Is it possible to take Nurofen during pregnancy?

Is it possible to take Nurofen during pregnancy? This is a pressing question for women who are looking for a reliable, effective and, most importantly, safe remedy for relieving inflammation and pain. The answer to this question is quite ambiguous, since the instructions for the drug state that it is taken during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother is more important than possible complications during pregnancy and pathologies in the development of the child. If the drug is used by women carrying boys, the drug can lead to pathologies in the development of the child's genitals.

Please note that the active ingredient of Nurofen is Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen acts not only as an active component of other drugs, but is also an independent drug. But its instructions clearly state that taking the drug during pregnancy is prohibited, especially in the first and last trimesters. Simply put, despite the fact that Nurofen and Ibuprofen are the same drug, they have different instructions for use. Whether to use Nurofen during pregnancy is up to you and your gynecologist to decide.

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Instructions for Nurofen during pregnancy

Instructions for Nurofen during pregnancy are a guide to using the product. According to the instructions, this drug is an antipyretic and analgesic anti-inflammatory drug. Nurofen has several forms of release, which makes its use as convenient and effective as possible.

But can you take the drug during pregnancy, will it help bring down the temperature or relieve pain? As already mentioned, it is not advisable to take this drug during pregnancy, so let's look at the possible side effects. Many doctors claim that a side effect to the drug is possible only in case of long-term use, but during pregnancy, due to hormonal changes, the risk of side effects increases.

  • Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
  • Cystitis, nephritis.
  • Shortness of breath, bronchospasms.
  • Swelling, allergic reactions on the skin.
  • Increased blood pressure.
  • Thrombocytopenia and bleeding.

Nurofen gel

Nurofen gel is considered safer during pregnancy, as it has virtually no effect on the process of bearing and developing the baby. But, like Nurofen tablets, Nurofen gel must be prescribed by a doctor. Nurofen gel is a drug for external use. A single dose for an adult is 50-100 mg of ibuprofen, which corresponds to 4-8 cm of the drug squeezed out of the tube. The gel is used every four hours, but no more than four times a day. When using the gel, it is very important to rub it thoroughly into the skin until completely absorbed.

When using Nurofen in gel form, there are a number of side effects. First of all, it is redness and burning of the skin, allergic reactions and even bronchospasms. As for contraindications, the gel cannot be used in case of bronchial asthma, hypersensitivity to the active substance, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The drug is used with special caution during pregnancy and lactation.

Nurofen ointment

Nurofen ointment during pregnancy is the safest form of this drug. The drug is used to treat back pain and inflammatory diseases. The ointment is well absorbed and effectively affects the lesion. Very often, Nurofen ointment is used with physiotherapy methods, that is, with therapeutic exercise and massages.

The use of Nurofen ointment during pregnancy should correspond to the prescribed dosage, and the treatment should not last longer than the specified period. The ointment, like other drugs, has a number of contraindications and side effects. Therefore, before taking this drug, you must familiarize yourself with the potential dangers.

Nurofen syrup

Nurofen syrup during pregnancy is an anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drug. The syrup is available in bottles and sachets with a dosage of 100 and 5 ml. For ease of use, each package of Nurofen is equipped with a syringe or measuring spoon.

Nurofen syrup is prescribed for flu, hyperthermia, bacterial diseases and to eliminate pain syndromes, for inflammation of the ENT organs, for toothache and headache. During pregnancy, Nurofen syrup is taken with special caution. It is not advisable to take the drug in the early stages, this also applies to the last trimester. In any case, the use of the drug should be approved by a doctor who, after diagnosing the disease, will select an individual dosage.

Nurofen tablets

Nurofen tablets during pregnancy, like any antibiotics, are not recommended. But, nevertheless, tablets are used to treat headaches, back pain, toothache, neuralgia, acute respiratory viral infections and fever. After taking the drug, the active substance - ibuprofen is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. The drug binds to plasma proteins by 90%, and gradually penetrates into the joint cavity, concentrating in the plasma.

Nurofen is metabolized in the liver and excreted unchanged in urine and bile. Nurofen tablets are prohibited in early pregnancy and in the last trimester. Any use of Nurofen should be supervised by a doctor, and if side effects occur, the drug should be discontinued.

Nurofen express

Nurofen Express is used during pregnancy as a painkiller, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent. In the first and second trimester, the drug is used with special caution, and in the third trimester, it is necessary to refuse to take any medications. Nurofen Express is used for headaches and toothaches, for the treatment of muscle spasms and neuralgia. The peculiarity of Nurofen Express is that it has a convenient form of release, quickly and effectively affects the body.

Children's Nurofen

Children's Nurofen during pregnancy is a medicinal product, the active ingredient of which is ibuprofen. Children's Nurofen is a suspension with a citrus flavor, which is very popular with children, and adults too. The composition of the drug does not include dyes, alcohol or sugar, so it does not have a negative effect on the body of a pregnant woman or the body of the baby.

The drug is recommended for inflammatory processes in the body, high temperature, ear pain, toothache, sore throat, inflammation of the lymph nodes, bruises, sprains and fractures. The drug's effect begins 15-20 minutes after administration and lasts about 5-7 hours. But, please note that the dosage of children's Nurofen is calculated depending on the baby's weight. This means that taking the minimum dose of children's Nurofen during pregnancy may not affect the woman, so its use is inappropriate.

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Use of Nurofen during pregnancy in the 1st trimester

Nurofen is not recommended for use during pregnancy in the first trimester. Since it is in the first trimester that the vital organs of the child are laid. That is why taking painkillers during this period of pregnancy is prohibited. Please note that the active substance of Nurofen is ibuprofen, but this substance is a separate drug. This drug is prohibited during pregnancy, but the instructions for Nurofen indicate that its use during pregnancy is possible. But ibuprofen during pregnancy in the first trimester can cause a miscarriage, and therefore Nurofen.

In any case, taking antibiotics during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, should be monitored by a gynecologist. A woman should follow the dosage of the prescribed drug and the time of taking it.

Nurofen during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester

Nurofen during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester can be used only for vital indications. In the second trimester, the placenta is already fully formed, so taking antibiotics cannot negatively affect the development of the child. But Nurofen can only be taken on the advice of a doctor.

If pregnancy is complicated and there is a risk of miscarriage, then it is better to refuse Nurofen and any other antibiotics. In this case, treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases is carried out by safe methods of traditional medicine.

Nurofen during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester

Nurofen is strictly prohibited for use during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester. This categorical nature is explained by the fact that the drug can affect the contractile activity of the uterus and cause premature birth. But some women after taking Nurofen carried their pregnancy past its term and had complications during childbirth.

Nurofen is also prohibited during breastfeeding. Since the drug enters the unprotected body of the child through breast milk. If there is a need to take Nurofen in the last trimester of pregnancy, it is recommended to replace it with safer antibiotics.

Nurofen in early pregnancy

Nurofen is not recommended for use in early pregnancy. However, doctors' opinions on this drug differ, some claim that pregnant women can take it, but in small doses, while others are categorically against Nurofen. Treatment with Nurofen in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to serious pathologies in the development of the child. In addition, the drug can cause a miscarriage.

If you decide to take this drug, you need to weigh the pros and cons and read about the possible side effects. Taking Nurofen can cause gastrointestinal disorders, dizziness, nausea, hearing loss and other painful symptoms. Therefore, taking the drug should be allowed and monitored by a doctor.

Nurofen during pregnancy is a very controversial drug, the use of which is questionable. On the one hand, the drug effectively fights inflammatory processes in the body, and on the other hand, it is dangerous for the normal development of the unborn child and puts pregnancy at risk. Therefore, the use of Nurofen should be prescribed by a doctor and only if the benefit to the mother is much more important than the potential risk to the baby.

Contraindications for use

Contraindications to the use of Nurofen during pregnancy are based on the work of the active substance of the drug. Let's consider a number of contraindications and indications for the use of Nurofen during pregnancy.

  • Nurofen is prohibited for people with heart failure, bronchial asthma and any blood clotting disorders.
  • Contraindications to taking Nurofen apply to people who suffer from kidney and liver dysfunction, hearing diseases and high blood pressure.

Pain syndromes of various localizations, rheumatic, headache and toothache, neuralgia, migraine, flu, feverish conditions are the main indications for the use of Nurofen. That is why its use during pregnancy should be permitted by the attending physician and gynecologist, otherwise, Nurofen will lead to irreversible consequences.

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Attention!

To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Nurofen in pregnancy" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.

Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.

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