Can You Take Advil While Pregnant? Is There Any Danger?

During pregnancy, there arise many questions, especially concerning medicine. Thus, many women wonder – can you take Advil while pregnant?

This drug belongs to the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The therapeutic component is a derivative of propionic acid. Its activity is manifested in the suppression of the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are mediators of pain and inflammation. What’s more, the drug has analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.

The gastrointestinal tract is the metabolic site of the drug, after which it binds to blood plasma proteins. The drug enters the bloodstream in 45 minutes when taken on an empty stomach. If the drug is used together with food, the time to reach a peak in its content increases to 1-2 hours after intake.

Metabolism of the drug takes place in the liver, and excretion occurs through the kidneys.

Indications

The drug is prescribed in the following cases:

  • Headache (including migraine)
  • Toothache
  • Algodismenorea (painful menstruation)
  • Neuralgia
  • Myalgia
  • Back pain
  • Joint pain, pain due to inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system
  • Pain with bruises, sprains, dislocations, fractures
  • Post-traumatic and postoperative pain syndrome
  • Febrile (including flu and colds)

Contraindications

The drug is contraindicated in cases where the patient has a pronounced hypersensitivity (allergy) to the main or one of the auxiliary components.

Contraindications for use are the following:

  • Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug
  • Erosive and ulcerative diseases of the digestive tract (in the acute phase), gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Severe hepatic and/or renal failure
  • Bleeding disorders (hemophilia, prolonged bleeding, bleeding tendency, hemorrhagic diathesis)
  • Complete or incomplete combination of bronchial asthma, recurrent polyposis of the nose and near the sinuses, and intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs, including in the anamnesis
  • Condition after coronary artery bypass grafting
  • Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
  • In pediatrics, the drug is used for children weighing more than 40 kg

Can You Take Advil While Pregnant?

It’s unlikely that one dose will harm your baby, but taking Advil is generally not recommended when you’re pregnant, especially during the third trimester.

This drug is not recommended for use by pregnant women – only according to strict indications determined by the physician.

If it is necessary to take the drug during breastfeeding, lactation should be stopped.

So, can you take Advil while pregnant? Keep in mind, that the use of the drug in the III trimester of pregnancy is contraindicated.

It is required to avoid the use of Advil in the I and II trimesters of pregnancy as well.

Doctors say that the active substance (Ibuprofen) penetrates into the mother’s milk in small quantities without any negative consequences for the health of the child. Therefore, sometimes a short-term intake is allowed (if prescribed by a doctor of course).

Overdose

In case of an overdose, the following symptoms are observed:

  • Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
  • Agitation or lethargy, drowsiness, confusion
  • Tachycardia, arrhythmia
  • Acute renal failure, metabolic acidosis
  • Frequent urination
  • Hyperthermia
  • Headache
  • Tremors or muscle twitches
  • Increased activity of hepatic transaminases

Side Effects

The drug is usually well tolerated if used in recommended doses.

Still, the following disorders may occur as side effects:

  • Headache, dizziness, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression
  • Tachycardia, increased blood pressure, heart failure
  • Shortness of breath, bronchospasm
  • Abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation, flatulence, ulceration of the mucous membrane of the gums, aphthous stomatitis, pancreatitis
  • Hearing impairment, ringing or tinnitus, visual impairment, blurred vision or diplopia, dryness and irritation of the eyes
  • Acute renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, cystitis
  • Skin rash, allergic rhinitis, angioedema, erythema multiforme exudative (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome), toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell’s syndrome)
  • Anemia, thrombocytopenia, etc