Can ibuprofen be drunk by a nursing mom?

Lactation is a special period in the life of a woman, when food and medication should be monitored no less than during pregnancy, because unwanted and even dangerous components for the baby can get into the milk. However, it is also impossible to leave some painful conditions without treatment. In many cases - for example, if you need to eliminate pain, lower the temperature - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs come to the rescue. In particular, the well-known means of Ibuprofen when breastfeeding is quite allowed for use. But there are some nuances that every nursing mother should know about.

Can Ibuprofen be breastfed?

Not all instructions for Ibuprofen are written about the possibility of using the drug in lactating women. This is due not to the fact that such an application is prohibited, but to the fact that no research has been conducted on this issue, and the manufacturer does not want to take responsibility for the safety of taking Ibuprofen during lactation.

However, medical practice shows that Ibuprofen can be used with breastfeeding, since the active component of the drug penetrates into the mother's milk in extremely small quantities. 

If you refer to some scientific sources, you can easily find information that Ibuprofen is the most preferred means among all existing analgesics and antipyretics. [1]In most countries of the world, this drug is recognized as absolutely safe and compatible with breastfeeding. Naturally, it should be taken not chaotically, but strictly according to indications and only after consulting a doctor. If you take Ibuprofen incorrectly or unreasonably, there may be unintended consequences, and in this case it is not necessary to speak about the safety of the drug. Self-medication with medications is unacceptable and dangerous - both for a nursing mother and her baby.

Two studies tried to measure ibuprofen in milk. In the first case, the dose for the patient was 400 mg twice a day, while in the second study for 12 patients the dose was 400 mg every 6 hours. In both studies, ibuprofen was not found in breast milk (<0.5 and 1 mg / l, respectively).[2], [3] 

In a later study using a more sensitive assay, ibuprofen was found in the breast milk of one woman who took 6 doses of 400 mg orally for 42.5 hours. Ibuprofen levels in milk of 13 µg / L were detected 30 minutes after the first dose. The maximum level was 180 µg / l approximately 4 hours after the third dose and 20.5 hours after the first dose. The authors calculated that the infant would receive about 17 mcg / kg per day (100 mcg per day) at a dose for the mother of approximately 1.2 g per day. This dose is 0.0008% of the dosage, adjusted for maternal weight [4]and 0.06% of the standard dose for children of 30 mg / kg per day (10 mg / kg every 8 hours).

Indications Ibuprofen

A lactating woman is not insured against all sorts of ailments, pains, etc. In such situations, it is allowed to use medicines that are not dangerous for the baby - during their reception there is no need to suspend breastfeeding, because the quality and composition of milk does not change.

Ibuprofen on the background of breastfeeding is indicated for women with colds, to eliminate pain in the head or muscles. It has been proven that during breastfeeding the proportion of Ibuprofen entering the milk is less than 0.06%, therefore its negative effect on the baby is practically eliminated.

In the literature, at least 23 cases have been reported in which babies (no age specified) were breastfed while ibuprofen was being applied to the mother, and no side effects were reported. [5]

Ibuprofen is able to improve the health of a nursing mother in the following disease states:

• fever, fever, fever;
• pain syndrome (pain of the head, teeth, joints, muscles, etc.);
• inflammatory processes (pharyngitis, laryngitis, arthritis, myositis);
• painful PMS and the beginning of the monthly cycle.

If Ibuprofen does not have a relief effect for three days from the start of treatment with the drug, then you need to visit a doctor to correct the therapeutic regimen.

You can find out the full list of indications by reading the full Ibuprofen manual. [6]

Ibuprofen when breastfeeding headache

Nursing mothers pain happen no less than other women, and sometimes more often. This is associated with constant fatigue, lack of sleep, overwork, after all, the care of the baby is pleasant, but sometimes very difficult. Ibuprofen is mainly used in acute conditions such as fever or headaches, especially strained-type headaches.[7], [8]

Of course, with pains in the head it is not always necessary to hurry with taking pills: sometimes banal rest and sleep are better than any painkiller. But in some cases, taking the pills is still necessary - and then Ibuprofen can come to the rescue. This medicine is considered relatively safe when breastfeeding. Why "relative"? Because a one-time medication does not really harm the baby. There will be no problems even after two forced receptions. But if you take pills daily or too often, you still have to stop lactation and transfer the child to the use of mixtures.

Ibuprofen has a low price, has a small list of contraindications and side effects, so it can be used for a one-off elimination of headaches during breastfeeding.

Ibuprofen when breastfeeding temperature

During the period of lactation, a woman can “catch” a cold or flu, and get angina. In any of these cases, you should contact your doctor to quickly and effectively deal with the disease. But what if the visit to the doctor is scheduled for the next day, and the heat is disturbing today? You can take an Ibuprofen tablet: in the minimum dosage, it is able to stabilize the temperature and does not harm the infant. For example, it is quite possible to take up to 200 mg of the drug, so that the temperature indicators normalize.

But drinking the medicine all the time, or “churning” the temperature, which rises for more than 3 days in a row, is impossible. In this situation, without medical assistance is not enough.

Ibuprofen is taken immediately after feeding the baby. In this situation, the penetration of the drug into the body of the infant is practically reduced to zero. Tablets successfully reduce the temperature associated with viral and bacterial infections, and are also recommended as an analgesic and antipyretic for mastitis and lactostasis.

Ibuprofen is a common medicine that helps with fever. But nursing mothers should know that such a symptom is not a reason to deny a child breastfeeding: at elevated temperatures, the milk does not change its properties and does not become of lower quality. And antipyretic drugs are taken exclusively to alleviate the health of the sick woman.[9]

Ibuprofen at lactose

Lactostasis is a common problem during breastfeeding, when a woman needs help as quickly as possible, because the pain during lactostasis is really very intense. What do doctors advise on this?

• Often put the baby, controlling the correct grip of the nipple.
• Apply a cold compress after feeding and after each decanting.
• To do kneading massage of the affected gland.
• Take a warm shower before feeding (if there is no temperature and signs of purulent mastitis).
• Apply fresh cabbage leaves to the cone area.
• Take ibuprofen as needed to relieve pain and stabilize the local temperature response.

With a general increase in temperature, it is recommended to take Ibuprofen no earlier than after reaching temperature levels of 38-38.5 ° C. As a rule, no adverse events in relation to the child after taking the drug are observed. No need to stop breastfeeding.

Ibuprofen when breastfeeding for toothache

Toothache when breastfeeding requires mandatory dental advice. But sometimes it is necessary to alleviate the symptom before visiting the doctor. You can try to rinse your mouth with a warm solution of baking soda. If it does not help, then you will have to take an anesthetic.

Ibuprofen is considered a good medicine compatible with breastfeeding. He even relieves a pronounced toothache, relieves inflammation, and also - it is inexpensive and freely sold in every pharmacy. Of course, there are also special toothache pills - for example, Aktasulid or Ketorol. However, for nursing women, these drugs are not suitable, because of the risk of harm to the child. Dentists often use ibuprofen and other NSAIDs for the treatment of acute and chronic orofacial pain. A dose of 400 mg ibuprofen provides effective analgesia to control postoperative pain after surgery.

Ibuprofen is an effective remedy for relieving a toothache and partially for an inflammatory process. But it is necessary to use it, strictly following the instructions and instructions of the doctor, taking the minimum possible amount of the medical preparation.[10]

Release form

Ibuprofen as an active ingredient is present in many medicines. It belongs to the category of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and can be part of the external ointment means, as well as tablets, suppositories, suspensions and syrups. For example, one of the popular children's tools - Nurofen - is also represented by active Ibuprofen. This ingredient is approved by doctors for the normalization of temperature, inhibition of the processes of inflammation, relief of pain of various origins. Ibuprofen preparations are approved for use even in pediatrics: they are prescribed to infants from 3 months old.

The tablets contain 200 or 400 mg of Ibuprofen, and the additional components are starch, povidone, magnesium stearate, talc, lactose, silicon dioxide.

Syrup or suspension contains Ibuprofen 20 mg / 1 ml, and auxiliary components are glycerin, citric acid, citrate, saccharinate and sodium chloride, as well as flavors and fillers.

Rectal suppositories contain 60 mg of Ibuprofen.

Dosing and administration

When breastfeeding the maximum permissible daily dosage of Ibuprofen is limited to 800 mg. However, doctors advise to take a smaller amount of the drug if possible - for example, 200 mg twice a day. Increasing the dosage should always be agreed with the doctor.

The time interval between taking Ibuprofen should be at least 4 hours. It is desirable to use both tablets, syrup or suspension immediately after the main meal: this will minimize the likelihood of adverse events.

If a woman doubts the absolute safety of Ibuprofen when breastfeeding, then you can take the medication as follows. According to the kinetic properties, the limiting content of the current fraction of the drug in the bloodstream is detected in a period of 30 minutes-2 hours after taking Ibuprofen. Therefore, the baby must be fed immediately before taking the medicine, and during this period it is necessary to refrain from breastfeeding. This approach will allow the nursing mother to successfully get rid of the painful symptoms and not worry about the possibility of harming the baby.

Contraindications

Before you take Ibuprofen during breastfeeding, a woman should read the instructions completely, read the list of contraindications. For example, this medication should not be taken:

• with decompensated cardiovascular pathologies;
• in acute enterocolitis, exacerbation of chronic colitis;
• with gastritis, gastric ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer;
• in renal and / or liver failure;
• with allergies and hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If during the treatment with Ibuprofen, a nursing woman has abdominal pain, vomiting, and abundant liquid stool, then you should consult a doctor about the possibility of further medication. To avoid some negative effects, it is recommended to drink Ibuprofen tablets with food.

Analogs

In some cases, it may be necessary to replace Ibuprofen when breastfeeding with another similar medication. This can happen for various reasons: someone does not like the price, but someone just does not want to once again run to the pharmacy. Of course, in search of a counterpart, it is best to consult a doctor who appointed Ibuprofen.

Analogs can be complete (structural, with the same active ingredient) and partial (similar in action, but with another active ingredient)

It is no secret that in any pharmacy chain you can find several variants of the same medication, represented under different names. Ibuprofen is not an exception: this drug is “hidden” under such well-known names as Ibufen, Advil, Suprafen, Nurofen, Dolgit, Ibunorm, Next, Artrokam, etc. But when choosing a remedy, you should pay attention not only to the similarity of the composition, but also to its medical form. For example, if a doctor advised during breastfeeding to take the pediatric version of Ibuprofen, then you need to look for a replacement among pediatric drugs. In this situation, the best replacement will be Nurofen - this medicine is several times more expensive than the domestic Ibuprofen, but it has proven safety and efficacy - because it is produced by a pharmaceutical company, which at one time developed this drug. Nurofen is approved for use in pediatric practice, it is prescribed even for infants.

Another absolutely safe replacement is Ibufen for children or junior. These drugs do not accumulate in the body, are completely eliminated from the body during the day, providing a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect for pain in the head, toothache, dysmenorrhea, neuralgia, back pain and joint pain, as well as the first symptoms of a cold and ARVI.

If it is necessary to normalize body temperature quickly and safely, Paracetamol or its structural analogues Anapiron, Infulgan, Milistan, Panadol, Piaron, Efferalgan can be used instead of Ibuprofen. These medicines will help to cope not only with a high temperature, but also relieve a slight headache, neuralgia, ease the condition with algodimenorrhea.

For those who cannot choose between Ibuprofen and Paracetamol, there is a combination drug Ibuklin. [11]The study showed that the simultaneous intake of ibuprofen and paracetamol. [12]provide a significantly better analgesic effect than taking these drugs separately. In one Ibuklin tablet, 400 mg of Ibuprofen and 325 mg of Paracetamol are successfully combined. The drug is quite effective, but the dosage of active substances in it is still quite high: the tablet itself does not divide, because it has a special film coating. Therefore, you should not take it yourself: you need to consult a doctor in advance.

Reviews

Judging by the numerous reviews, the correct use of Ibuprofen does not adversely affect the process of breastfeeding. It is advisable to take the medication as short as possible, in the minimum effective dosage. Ibuprofen should not be taken regularly for more than five to seven days in a row. If there are any unpleasant symptoms, it is better to consult a doctor and replace the drug, or adjust the dosage.

Because of the extremely low levels of breast milk, the short half-life and safe use in children at doses significantly higher than the doses given in breast milk, ibuprofen is the preferred choice as an analgesic or anti-inflammatory agent in nursing mothers.

In general, Ibuprofen when breastfeeding is really safe and allows you to relieve pain of various etiologies, accelerate microcirculation, weaken the intensity of the inflammatory response. These properties of the drug can be used to get rid of pain in myalgia and bursitis, pain in the head and teeth, neuralgia and migraine, hematomas and tendovaginitis. In addition, the drug gently stabilizes the temperature in viral infections, eases the condition of sinusitis, pharyngitis, sore throat, laryngitis.