Painkillers during pregnancy

Painkillers in pregnancy – which ones are safe?

Many medicines should not be taken during pregnancy. For this reason, you should check with your doctor about the safety of any medicine before taking it during pregnancy. Painkillers are among the most commonly taken medicines by expectant mothers. Paracetamol is considered the safest painkiller during pregnancy. It can be taken at a dose of 1 gram every six hours, or a maximum of 4 grams per day. It is safe in all trimesters of pregnancy. Experts recommend stopping non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including the popular ibuprofen or, for example, the active ingredient ketoprofen such as Ketonal, during pregnancy. They can increase the risk of bleeding in the first trimester and lead to premature blockage of the baby’s arteries in the third trimester. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also reduce placental flow.

Painkillers in pregnancy – when should they be taken?

It is known that medicines should only be taken when needed during pregnancy. Although paracetamol is safe for pregnant women, the maximum daily dose should not be exceeded. Painkillers can be prescribed for headaches, backaches and toothaches. However, it is important to treat them as a symptomatic measure and to remember to consult a specialist if the symptoms persist.

Pain during pregnancy – when should you go to the doctor?

You should not treat pain during pregnancy on your own. It is important to find out the cause of the pain and take appropriate treatment. Lower back pain can be a symptom of back problems, but also of colic or kidney stones, which may require hospitalisation. Headaches can be associated with migraines, but can also be a symptom of high blood pressure and part of pre-eclampsia. If accompanied by dark circles under the eyes or vomiting, an urgent visit to the emergency room is required.

If the pain is mild and subsides after analgesic treatment, no urgent intervention is usually required. However, it is important to remember that medications should be used with caution during pregnancy and that the attending physician should be consulted or the emergency department of the maternity hospital should be notified if symptoms become alarming.