Does anyone take Advil!?

Elisemenchies · September 2015

or is it totally off limits? I've come down with an annoying virus and miss my advil

but wondering if anybody has taken it?

LMJL · September 2015

No, it is a definite no. It might be a bit different this late in the pregnancy, but I wouldn't take it. It was on my NO list from the ob. Instead, take acetominophen. (Aka-Tylenol)

laurabwalker · September 2015

It's not recommend to take as it can interfere with the baby's cardiac system. Some Drs say it's safe till the third trimester but I would def ask your dr/midwife.

kepoole · September 2015

It's ibuprofen which is on the no list. However my OB has given me the ok to use ibuprofen sparingly when in a pinch where Tylenol (acetaminophen) isn't touching my headaches up until 32 weeks and then she said absolutely not.

Catherine1021 · September 2015

Advil was my go-to pain reliever before I was pregnant. OB said not to take it while pregnant- only Tylenol.

alyssa82511 · September 2015

I was told absolutely nothing but Tylenol

navyblueladybug · September 2015

It's pregnancy category C in the 1st and 2nd trimester and then category D in the 3rd trimester so I would say no way, it's not worth the risk. Ibuprofen was my go to as well, but I haven't touched it since being pregnant and only taken Tylenol twice.

juliesteve · September 2015

When I was in the hospital at 18 weeks pregnant, all they would give me was Tylenol. Extra strength was even OK, so long as it was just 1 and taken after the recommended time frame between the previous dose.
I've always been told Advil/Ibuprofen are a big no in pregnancy, as they affect your blood flow.

Mizuiro007 · September 2015

This is one where you need to talk to your OB and weigh you individual risks versus benefit. I can't take Tylenol and during my previous pregnancy was fine with it. This time I've had SPD and my OB has okayed Ibuprofen up to 32 weeks. They will let me have up to 600 MG daily but I still try to take as little as possible and am in physical therapy and using a support belt to get things managed so I can get by without the ibuprofen. Depending on what you're wanting to take it for there may be another alternative that would work as well and be safer.

lalg28 · September 2015

My OB said no. But as with any medicine you have to speak with OB and let them weigh the risks.

Elisemenchies · September 2015

Thanks everyone. It just sucks because I have an allergy to Tylenol, but that's ok I for sure will not take advil!!!

merbear32 · September 2015

My OB said No. It can cause a heart valve deformity. I was told that prescription narcotics were safer even than Advil ( Codeine, morphine, etc). I opt to suck it up.

TomekiaB · September 2015

I looked up the pregnancy risk category of ibuprofen (advil) and Tylenol (because I like to know why--and because I think Tylenol is worthless at anything but fever reduction) and was surprised they both came up as Category C since they pass Tylenol out like candy but Advil is the devil...anyway, it looks like Ibprofen is discouraged because it can thin the blood which makes the medical community nervous as the due date gets closer (some list classify it as Category D during the third trimester because of increased bleeding risk during labor/delivery). I haven't taken Advil at all and have only taken Tylenol once or twice, so I am NOT saying advil is okay! Obviously talk to your OB because they are the only one that knows your history but I thought the background was interesting. If you are not familiar with the risk categories this is a quick version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pregnancy_category.

Mizuiro007 · September 2015

TomekiaB said:
I looked up the pregnancy risk category of ibuprofen (advil) and Tylenol (because I like to know why--and because I think Tylenol is worthless at anything but fever reduction) and was surprised they both came up as Category C since they pass Tylenol out like candy but Advil is the devil...anyway, it looks like Ibprofen is discouraged because it can thin the blood which makes the medical community nervous as the due date gets closer (some list classify it as Category D during the third trimester because of increased bleeding risk during labor/delivery). I haven't taken Advil at all and have only taken Tylenol once or twice, so I am NOT saying advil is okay! Obviously talk to your OB because they are the only one that knows your history but I thought the background was interesting. If you are not familiar with the risk categories this is a quick version: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pregnancy_category.

When I'd read about it, Advil is listed as category D past a certain point in the third trimester because of some risk of heart valve defect in the baby.

*corrected auto-correct

TomekiaB · September 2015

@mizuiro007 Weird, I originally looked at this during 1st trimester but I just googled 3rd trimester risks for Advil again because of this discussion and I read another source and that says 3rd trimester risk for advil, "could reduce amniotic fluid, delay labor or cause high blood pressure in baby's lungs" but this source mentions possibility in 1st trimester of heart valve or cleft palate risk.

I am guessing the discrepancy between sources is poor research since it is unethical for obvious reasons to do "good research studies" on pregnant women and babies because of the potential for long term issues.

Anyway out of curiosity I just googled Tylenol risk 3rd trimester and got a lot of hits for recent press about some recent long-term research that says prolonged exposure to Tylenol might raise ADHD risk.

The biggest shock to me was Tylenol is usually seen as safe but it is a Category C! Tylenol is so commonly used it almost seems like they prescribe it with the prenatals!

willashbaby · September 2015

I've had raging headaches at times and a horrible sinus infection, no advil. Eventually you will feel better.

rxredhead · September 2015

NSAIDs like ibuprofen can close the patent ductus arteriosus prematurely. Before birth it remains open because baby gets all their oxygen from the mother, therefore there's no need to send blood flow through the lungs for oxygenation. After birth the PDA generally closes in a few weeks, but if it doesn't they can use ibuprofen to close it. I'm not sure on the exact cutoff, I've seen doctors prescribe it in the first and second trimester but I still avoid it because of the blood flow risks and it gets a resounding no from me in the third

Beckah31 · September 2015

Well, since Tylenol is out for you maybe cold or hot compresses could help. When I get a killer sinus headache a hot wet cloth on my forehead/bridge of my nose is amazing. I stick a wet cloth in the microwave for a few seconds.
When I get a regular headache I have one of those gel face mask things I keep in the fridge.

Mizuiro007 · September 2015

@TomekiaB I've thought the same on lack of research. I think some of the information they get through reports from doctors but it wouldn't be the same as coming from a controlled study.

I was shocked as well with Tylenol being category C. With the inability to be able to conduct a study I've wondered since how other drugs are able to be rated higher.

nik6499 · September 2015

Tylenol rating has recently changed and a black box warning has been added. These reports are showing the effects of prolonged use and the quantity of use is not defined. Because it's recommended to use tylenol I would assume these warnings are coming from daily users. Any medication in pregnancy is best used sparingly and with your OB discretion.

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