This article will go over headache medications that are considered safe during pregnancy.
Why Are Some Medications Unsafe During Pregnancy?
Research has shown that taking somemedications while pregnantmay harm you or your fetus.
Verywell / JR Bree
That’s because it’s unethical to test the safety of medications on pregnant people.
Why Are Headaches Common During Pregnancy?
Increased hormones and a change in the volume of blood in your body can contribute to headaches during pregnancy.
What Are Safe OTC Pain Medications During Pregnancy?
Pain medicine (analgesics) are drugs that can relieve headaches.
The analgesics that are most commonly used for head pain are acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is usually considered the safest pain relief medication for most pregnant people.
It blocks nerve impulses to the part of the brain where pain signals are made.
There are dozens of brand names for acetaminophen, but the most well-known isTylenol.
Still, you should always consult your healthcare provider before taking any medication during pregnancy, including acetaminophen.
Liver damage is most likely to happen when someone takes too much acetaminophen.
No one should take more than 4,000 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen in one day.
NSAIDs (only before 20 weeks)
NSAIDs are the second-line treatment for headaches during pregnancy.
These drugs decrease the production of hormone-like compounds calledprostaglandinsthat send pain messages to the brain.
If this happens, it can affect blood pressure in the developing fetus’s lungs.
These risks are especially important for people who take these medications for a long time.
NSAIDs have also been found to causeulcers and bleeding in the stomachor intestines.
They work best when taken at the earliest sign of an impending migraine attack.
Triptansstimulate the production of a brain chemical calledserotoninwhich reduces inflammation and constriction of blood vessels.
The drugs can also be an effective way to relieve nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
However, research has found triptans to be safe during pregnancy.
They have not been linked to a major increase in birth defects,prematurity, or miscarriage.
Antiemetics
Along with headaches, migraines often causenausea and vomitingsymptoms that some pregnant people already have.
In this case, migraines can make those symptoms worse.
More research is needed to determine whether other antiemetics are safe to use during pregnancy.
In addition, there’s some evidence that consuming even small amounts of caffeine may affect birth weight.
Be sure to check a medication’s label to see how much caffeine it contains.
Some medications that contain caffeine include Fioricet, Midol, and Excedrin.
In that way, pregnancy can sometimes be a temporary treatment for headaches.
Summary
Most headaches during pregnancy are uncomfortable but not an emergency.
Thanks to stable hormone levels, you may even find that you have fewer headaches while you’re pregnant.
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