Can i take ibuprofen while pregnant for headache

Q: Which painkiller is best for headache during pregnancy?

Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if youre pregnant. However, for safety, if you take paracetamol in pregnancy, take it for the shortest possible time. You can get advice from your pharmacist, midwife or GP about how much paracetamol you can take and for how long.

Ibuprofen is not usually recommended in pregnancy, unless it's prescribed by a doctor, especially if you're more than 30 weeks pregnant. This is because ibuprofen can affect your baby's circulation and kidneys. There may also be a link between taking ibuprofen in early pregnancy and miscarriage.

Table of Contents Show

Ibuprofen and breastfeeding
Ibuprofen and fertility
Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:
From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
What can I take for a headache while pregnant?
Which painkiller is best for headache during pregnancy?
What causes headache in pregnant mothers?
Is it normal to get headaches everyday while pregnant?

Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking ibuprofen if you're pregnant. Your doctor can advise you about the benefits and possible harms of taking it.

A short course of ibuprofen may be OK, but it will depend on how many weeks pregnant you are and the reason you need to take the medicine. There may be other treatments that are more suitable for you.

Paracetamol is the best painkiller to take during pregnancy.

Ibuprofen and breastfeeding

You can take ibuprofen or use it on your skin while breastfeeding. It is one of the painkillers that's usually recommended if you're breastfeeding.

Only tiny amounts get into breast milk and it's unlikely to cause side effects in your baby. Many people have used it while breastfeeding without any problems.

If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your midwife, health visitor, pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.

Ibuprofen and fertility

Taking ibuprofen occasionally for pain relief, for example when you have a headache, is unlikely to affect your fertility. However, it's best not to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid for a long time (more than a week) if you're trying to get pregnant. In this case paracetamol is a better option.

This is because taking ibuprofen (tablets, capsules, granules or liquid) in large doses, or for a long time, can affect ovulation. This can make it more difficult for you to get pregnant, but you will usually start ovulating normally again when you stop taking ibuprofen.

There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking ibuprofen will reduce fertility in men.

Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:

trying to get pregnant
pregnant
breastfeeding

For more information about how ibuprofen can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, visit the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

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It’s effective at treating a range of aches and pains, such as headaches, toothaches, back pain, arthritis pain, and it’s also used to lower inflammation caused by strains and sprains.

Ibuprofen is the generic name for the drug however you may have come across branded products such as Nurofen, Brufen and Calprofen. For the treatment of sprains and strains ibuprofen can also take the form of a gel to be applied directly onto the skin. In this blog, we discuss whether ibuprofen is suitable to be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If you're wondering what other medications you can take during your pregnancy, check out our other quick articles: Can I take Gaviscon in pregancy? and Can I take co-codamol in pregnancy?

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Ibuprofen during pregnancy

Ibuprofen is not safe to take during a pregnancy in any form, unless prescribed by a doctor, as it has harmful effects on your baby. Doctors can sometimes prescribe ibuprofen during a pregnancy in special circumstances, in which case the pregnancy must be closely monitored.

While ibuprofen is not recommended to take at any point during your pregnancy, it can cause particularly harmful birth defects if you are more than 30 weeks pregnant.

If you are breastfeeding, ibuprofen is safe to take, however it’s recommended that you always check with your GP first.

If you have any questions about taking ibuprofen during your pregnancy, please get in touch with our pharmacy team. Our pharmacy team is here to provide free, professional advice for everyone.

Contact the Pharmacy Team

‍What problems can ibuprofen cause during pregnancy?

Taking ibuprofen during your first trimester may increase the risk of having a miscarriage. Some studies have also suggested that ibuprofen used during early pregnancy may also lead to increased risks of certain birth defects, though these associations have not been clearly verified.

When taken during pregnancy after 30 weeks, ibuprofen may reduce your levels of amniotic fluid to the point where oligohydramnios can develop.

Oligohydramnios refers to low levels of amniotic fluid, which can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and may cause underdeveloped lungs.

Ibuprofen taken after 30 weeks of pregnancy can also affect the baby’s circulation and heart, putting the baby at risk.

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The safest painkiller to take during your pregnancy is paracetamol

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I’ve accidentally taken ibuprofen during pregnancy

If you’ve accidentally taken a one-off dosage of ibuprofen before week 30 of your pregnancy, don’t worry. This is unlikely to cause any harm, however regular use is dangerous and not recommended. If you have any concerns, please talk your GP, pharmacist or midwife.

If you accidentally take ibuprofen after week 30 of your pregnancy, please speak to your midwife or doctor as soon as possible.

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Which painkillers are safe to take during pregnancy?

It’s important to note that in addition to ibuprofen, aspirin is also not recommended during pregnancy, as it may cause similar harmful effects to your baby. Like ibuprofen, aspirin is also a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

For aches and pains, the safest choice during pregnancy is paracetamol. However, even in this case, it’s recommended that you take the lowest possible dosage, for the shortest time possible.

If paracetamol is not effective at treating your pain, please speak to your GP, as they will be able to assess the situation and provide appropriate guidance.

What can I take for a headache while pregnant?

Most pregnant women can safely take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to treat occasional headaches. Your health care provider might recommend other medications as well. Make sure you have the OK from your health care provider before taking any medication, including herbal treatments.

Which painkiller is best for headache during pregnancy?

Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant. However, for safety, if you take paracetamol in pregnancy, take it for the shortest possible time. You can get advice from your pharmacist, midwife or GP about how much paracetamol you can take and for how long.

What causes headache in pregnant mothers?

As well as hormonal changes, headaches in the early stages of pregnancy can be caused by an increase in the volume of blood your body is producing. Other causes of headaches during pregnancy can include: not getting enough sleep. withdrawal from caffeine (e.g. in coffee, tea or cola drinks)

Is it normal to get headaches everyday while pregnant?

A: Headaches are very common during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester. Your hormone levels are skyrocketing and this can lead to daily headaches. Other common causes include dehydration, abruptly stopping your caffeine intake, increased stress, and poor sleep.