FDA: Changes to Prescribing NSAIDs

NSAIDs, a common pain reliever and fever reducer, should not be taken by women after 20 weeks into their pregnancy. So says the FDA, due to the fact that NSAIDs “can lead to low levels of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby” and harm the kidney of the fetus. It’s a rare but serious condition. It was previously recommended that women stop taking NSAIDs—such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib—after 30 weeks of pregnancy. Now, changes to prescribing information would...

...include use of the lowest possible dose, for the shortest amount of time, for women between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy only if absolutely necessary. In addition, “health care professionals should consider ultrasound monitoring of amniotic fluid if NSAID treatment extends beyond 48 hours and discontinue the NSAID if oligohydramnios is found.” Oligohydramnios = too little amniotic fluid.

Read more on FDA site.

Other Categories:

• pain management

• women's health