No anti-inflammatory drugs after the 6th month of pregnancy

Never anti-inflammatory drugs at the end of pregnancy. The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) advises against women arriving in the 6th month of their pregnancy the anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs) which can endanger the health of the unborn baby. Indeed, these, even taken once, can be toxic for the fetus and the newborn. With NSAIDs, babies are at risk of kidney and cardiopulmonary damage that can lead to fetal death in utero or neonatal, warns theANSM in a press release.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the best known of which are ibuprofen or aspirin, are used to relieve or treat pain, fever and joint inflammation. Most are available without prescriptions.

Problem, whether prescribed or taken as part of self-medication, NSAIDs are still too “consumed” by pregnant women from the beginning of the 6th month of pregnancy (beyond 24 weeks of amenorrhea), and this despite the contraindications mentioned in the marketing authorizations (AMM), notes the ANSM.

Very limited use of anti-inflammatory drugs before 5 months of pregnancy

The drug agency is therefore aimed at pregnant women but also at health professionals to whom it asks to remain vigilant on this misuse: NSAIDs should not be taken after 6 months of pregnancy, “regardless of the duration of treatment. and the route of administration: in particular oral, injectable, and cutaneous “. Celecoxib (Celebrex) and etoricoxib Arcoxia) are exceptions and are clearly contraindicated throughout pregnancy.

The agency recalls that drug alternatives and non-drug exist regardless of the term of pregnancy. Pregnant women are invited to seek advice from their doctor if necessary, underlines the ANSM, contacted by Top Santé.

More broadly, up to 5 months of pregnancy, pregnant women should only take NSAIDs “when they are essential, at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest time“, further specifies the agency.

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