What antipyretics can pregnant women take? A complete guide to medication for fever during pregnancy
Recently, with the arrival of the flu season and changes in temperature, the issue of medication for pregnant women with fever has become one of the hot topics on the Internet. Many expectant mothers are worried about the effects of drugs on the fetus, but they cannot bear the discomfort caused by high fever. This article will combine the hot discussions and medical advice in the past 10 days to provide scientific and safe antipyretic medication guidelines for pregnant women.
1. Dangers and treatment principles of fever in pregnant women
Pregnant women whose body temperature exceeds 38.5°C may have an impact on fetal development, especially in the early stages of pregnancy. However, blind use of medication is more risky and the following principles need to be followed:
| body temperature range | Processing method | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| <38℃ | physical cooling | Drink more water and take bath with warm water |
| 38-38.5℃ | Physical cooling + observation | Requires medical attention for 24 hours |
| ＞38.5℃ | pharmacological intervention | Doctor’s guidance is required for medication use |
2. Safety classification of antipyretics available to pregnant women
According to the FDA pregnancy drug classification system, the safety profiles of common antipyretic drugs are as follows:
| Drug name | pregnancy grade | Applicable stage | maximum dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaminophen | Class B | whole pregnancy | 500mg each time, ≤4 times a day |
| Ibuprofen | Class B (early and middle pregnancy)/Class D (late pregnancy) | Before 28 weeks of pregnancy | 200mg each time, 6-8 hours apart |
| Aspirin | C grade/D grade | under the guidance of a doctor | avoid regular use |
3. Guidelines for the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol)
As the preferred antipyretic and analgesic for pregnant women, please note:
| Dosage form | Common product names | Usage and dosage | Taboo |
|---|---|---|---|
| tablet | Tylenol, Bilton | 325-500mg each time | Use with caution in patients with abnormal liver function |
| suspension | Antipyretic oral liquid for children | Calculate dose based on body weight | Not suitable for those allergic to alcohol |
4. Absolutely prohibited antipyretic drugs
The following drugs may cause teratogenesis or pregnancy complications:
| drug class | Representative medicine | Potential risks |
|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs | Indomethacin, diclofenac | fetal ductus arteriosus |
| compound cold medicine | White plus black, feeling healthy | Contains prohibited ingredients such as pseudoephedrine |
| Chinese medicine preparations | Contains musk and safflower ingredients | May induce uterine contractions |
5. Supplementary methods for naturally reducing fever
Safe physical therapy with medications:
| method | Operational points | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Warm water bath | Warm water at 32-34℃, avoid the abdomen | Drop by 0.5-1°C per hour |
| ice pack cold compress | Wrap a towel on armpits and groin | local cooling |
| Supplement electrolytes | Light salt water, oral rehydration salt | Prevent dehydration |
6. Medical indications and expert advice
You should seek medical attention immediately if:
1. Body temperature continues to be >39°C for more than 2 hours
2. Accompanied by severe headache, vomiting or rash
3. Abnormal fetal movement decreases or disappears
4. Recurrent fever for more than 3 days after taking the medicine
The latest guidelines from the Chinese Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology emphasize that the cause of fever in pregnant women should be identified in time, and simply reducing fever and treating the symptoms does not cure the root cause. During the epidemic, we must be more vigilant about infectious diseases such as influenza and COVID-19, and do not take long-term medication on your own.
Note: The data in this article are synthesized from the State Food and Drug Administration, the UpToDate clinical database and the obstetrics and gynecology diagnosis and treatment standards of tertiary hospitals, and are updated to October 2023.
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