When pregnant, it can be overwhelming trying to determine which medications are safe to take.
However, there are alternatives to choose from.
You should avoid taking ibuprofen if you are 20 weeks or more pregnant.
Getty Images / Oscar Wong
Taking ibuprofen after the 20th week of pregnancy may cause poor kidney function and other complications in the fetus.
It’s unclear if taking it early in pregnancy (before 20 weeks) will affect the fetus.
For this reason, the preferred treatment for pain during pregnancy is Tylenol or non-medication practices.
Getty Images / Oscar Wong
Can I Take Ibuprofen While Pregnant?
Ibuprofen is classified as anonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID).
NSAIDs are commonly used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation.
If you’re pregnant, always check with a healthcare provider before taking any medication.
While this is general guidance, you should always consult a provider for personalized medical advice.
What Can Happen If You Take Ibuprofen in Pregnancy?
you’ve got the option to consider non-medication therapy or Tylenol instead to help manage your pain.
At week 20 of pregnancy, the fetus’s kidneys produce the amniotic fluid.
Tylenol is generally considered safe and recommended to take during pregnancy.
Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any of these pain management practices.
However, Tylenol is also an acceptable option if non-drug methods fail to provide adequate relief.
2022;17(9):e0272593.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0272593
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG response to consensus statement on paracetamol use during pregnancy.
Shah S, Banh ET, Koury K, et al.Pain management in pregnancy: multimodal approaches.Pain Res Treat.
