Medicines increase the miscarriage risk

Painkillers and anti-inflammatories increase the miscarriage risk

09/09/2011

Taking anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy appears to increase the risk of miscarriage. Canadian researchers at the University of Montreal come to this conclusion when evaluating the medical data of 4,705 women who had miscarried within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

As the scientists in the current issue of the journal „Canadian Medical Association Journal“ 352 of the 4,705 women who had an abortion were prescribed so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as anti-inflammatory drugs prior to or during their early pregnancy. The numbers support the suspicion that taking anti-inflammatory drugs increases the risk of miscarriage, especially if the drugs are taken during the first week of pregnancy, said the Canadian researchers. The doctors therefore recommend a general waiver of anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy.

Miscarriage risk increased by anti-inflammatory
The NSAID drug class includes analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs that also help reduce fever and inhibit blood clotting. Due to the threat of side effects such as headaches, stomach and intestinal ulcers or kidney disease, the anti-inflammatory drugs should generally be taken only over a shorter period, the experts warn. The current study also suggests that anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided altogether during pregnancy, as a worryingly high percentage of abortion women had previously taken NSAIDs, researchers from the University of Montreal report , Although 1,213 women also received NSAIDs in the comparison group with 47,050 women without a miscarriage, their share of the total reference group was too low to be interpreted as an all-clear. Rather, it can be assumed that the anti-inflammatories significantly increase the risk of miscarriage, the researchers said.

Often serious side effects during pregnancy
With regard to the individual drugs, the most pronounced increase in the risk of preterm birth has been shown with the drug diclofenac. But even the relatively common ibuprofen, brought with it an increased risk of miscarriage, the Canadian researchers report. Especially the use in the first weeks of pregnancy is according to the scientists particularly critical, but diclofenac forbids in the information of the leaflet only the use in the last trimester of pregnancy. The manufacturer also warns that diclofenac can prevent contractions and delay childbirth. When taking at the beginning of pregnancy is also recommended according to the leaflet and pregnant women should take the drug only if their doctor considers this to be unavoidable. According to the manufacturer, the use of diclofenac in pregnancy is associated with an increased malformation risk in unborn children. On top of that comes the significantly increased risk of miscarriage, as the Canadian scientists now found out in their current study. The same applies to comparable active ingredients from the group of NSAIDs, the experts remind. Therefore, pregnant women should be completely relinquish completely painkillers and anti-inflammatories, so the conclusion of the Canadian researchers.

Beware of medication in pregnancy
At least since the thalidomide scandal in the middle of the 20th century, the risks of thoughtless medication during pregnancy are known not only in science but also in public. The thalidomide drug was found to cause severe malformations of children when ingested during pregnancy, as it prevented limb growth. According to the experts, there is also a general need for caution in the case of analgesics, as they may cause a special blood vessel to close which the unborn children urgently need until birth. Also, the suppression of labor readiness associated with various drugs and the inhibition of blood clotting can lead to significant complications in the course of pregnancy, the scientists warn. Therefore, before a drug is used, pregnant women should urgently consult a doctor and also inform themselves about possible treatment alternatives, for example in the field of naturopathy, home remedies or homeopathy. (Fp)

Also read:
Pregnancy: Stress increases placenta
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Incorrect dosage during pregnancy
How long to wait for a miscarriage?
Increased risk of heart attack after a miscarriage

Image: Sonja Graves