Dolipranes and other medicines containing paracetamol are the only analgesics authorized throughout pregnancy, to relieve pain. But when to take them, what are the risks? We take stock.
Against a slight fever, a headache or even the onset of a cold, doliprane is often the preferred solution to respond to all these minor ailments. However, be careful for pregnant women. Indeed, during pregnancy, the list of authorized drugs is greatly reduced, the latter can influence the state of health of the future baby. So exit non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen but also treatments against severe acne, certain antidepressants but anticoagulants, treatments against epilepsy, migraine or even hypertension…
But how to treat pain in pregnant women? Fearing the side effects of treatment on pregnancy, many women prefer not to take it and suffer rather than trying to ease their pain. However, untreated severe pain can be associated with a risk of high blood pressure, anxiety and depression, symptoms that are very harmful to the course of a pregnancy.
Paracetamol, the preferred drug?
The oldest remedy for pain isaspirin. During pregnancy, taking this medication is strongly discouraged and from 24 weeks of amenorrhea, it is strictly contraindicated. Indeed, this analgesic leads to the risk of bleeding in the mother and the fetus, as well as circulatory problems. However, this anti-inflammatory can be prescribed to pregnant women in very low doses by a doctor, particularly to reduce the risk of miscarriage.
ibuprofen as well as other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also not recommended at the beginning of pregnancy. From the 6th month of gestation, it becomes strictly prohibited. These drugs can cause serious complications for the fetus: fetal death in utero or during childbirth, renal and/or cardiopulmonary failure. These effects can occur even after taking a single ibuprofen tablet.
So to help pregnant women and relieve their pain, there is an alternative: tablets of paracetamol. Biogaran, Doliprane or Efferalgan, these analgesic drugs are the most widely used in the world. Currently, health professionals authorize paracetamol throughout pregnancy, at the usual adult dosage (1 tablet every 6 hours). Indeed, many scientists have confirmed its effectiveness and highlighted the absence of fetal malformations related to taking doliprane. Nevertheless, some studies contradict these assertions and point the finger at paracetamol, which could be the cause of abnormalities in the future development of the baby.
What are the risks of taking paracetamol during pregnancy?
Studies on the dangers of paracetamol on the health of children are numerous, some incriminating the taking of paracetamol during pregnancy in the development of behavioral disorders in children.
British scientists then carried out a study on 7,796 pregnant women, questioned at the 18th and 32nd week of pregnancy on their intake of doliprane during the last three months. Thus, the doctors demonstrated that thehe consumption of this analgesic during gestation is associated with a higher probability of behavioral problems at birth but also of signs of hyperactivity and emotional disorders in the child. Obviously, these results require further study, especially since no data on the indication, dosage and duration of treatment were taken into account in this English study.
But disorders of the child’s cerebral development are not the only abnormalities encountered during studies. A total of 13 of them, involving more than a million people, indicated that taking paracetamol tablets during pregnancy may increase the risk of asthma in children. According to the results of this research, the risk is greater when the drug dose is administered during the first trimester. Special monitoring of these children may be necessary, especially if they have other asthma risk factors such as family history or allergies.
In order to confirm these results, additional studies will be carried out. If for now, paracetamol is the only medication authorized throughout pregnancyto relieve mild to moderate pain, the adverse effects could lead public health authorities to review their recommendations on the management of pain in pregnant women.
If you are pregnant and you feel pain, do not hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Since May 2021, Pauline has joined the Aufeminin team. A journalism student, Pauline is currently on a work-study program and writes for the Aufeminin and Parole de Mamans websites. Curious and passionate, she…