Can I Take Ibuprofen While I’m Pregnant?

Creating a new life isn’t easy. Pregnancy comes with its challenges, and often that includes back pain. Up to 80% of pregnant women experience back pain. It’s most common in the later months of pregnancy. 

An expanding uterus, extra weight, and loosening joints can all contribute to back pain. And while some discomfort can be normal, you shouldn’t ignore pain that is severe or persistent. Untreated pain during pregnancy can lead to depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure. 

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is one of the most common over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. It belongs to a group of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other popular OTC NSAIDs include naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) and aspirin. Of all the NSAIDs, ibuprofen is the most well-studied in pregnancy. 

Here, we’ll cover whether ibuprofen is safe to take during pregnancy. 

Can I take ibuprofen while I’m pregnant?

The short answer? You should avoid ibuprofen in the second half of your pregnancy (after week 20). It might be safe to use during the first 20 weeks of your pregnancy, but it's not a first-choice option. If you need pain relief, your healthcare provider will probably recommend you try acetaminophen (Tylenol) first. Let’s dive into the details of these recommendations.

What are the risks of taking ibuprofen while pregnant?

Ibuprofen has some risks in all stages of pregnancy, but the level of risk changes depending on how far along you are. 

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Before week 20 of pregnancy

In the first half of pregnancy, we aren’t exactly sure how safe ibuprofen is. Your healthcare provider can discuss the risks and benefits of ibuprofen with you. The major risks to consider are miscarriage and birth defects. Below, we’ll talk about what the available research says. 

Miscarriage 

In early pregnancy, it’s not known whether ibuprofen raises your risk of miscarriage. Some studies show a higher risk of miscarriage, but other studies show no risk. 

A recent Canadian study suggested that ibuprofen use in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy may raise the chance of miscarriage. And that this could happen with any dose of ibuprofen. Another study found that the risk of miscarriage was higher at certain times during pregnancy. Miscarriage risk was higher when NSAIDs were taken near the time of conception (when an egg is fertilized by a sperm). The risk was also higher when NSAIDs were taken for longer than a week during early pregnancy.

But other studies seem to show the opposite. One study of over 2,700 pregnancies found no greater risk of miscarriage with OTC NSAID use during the first 6 weeks of pregnancy. 

The FDA reviewed studies on NSAID use in the first half of pregnancy and miscarriage risk. They determined there's not enough evidence to know if NSAIDs like ibuprofen raise the risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy. 

Birth defects

We don’t know if ibuprofen in early pregnancy causes birth defects. Some studies have suggested there's a lot of risk. Other studies show low risk or no risk at all. 

One large study found that pregnant women who took ibuprofen were more likely to have babies with specific birth defects. These included heart defects, problems with the abdominal wall, and cleft palate. But, it was unclear if these birth defects were related to ibuprofen itself, or if they were due to existing health problems in the mothers. 

Another study also found that ibuprofen raised the risk of some birth defects, including cleft lip with cleft palate and spina bifida. But a German study of over 1,000 pregnant women found that ibuprofen use in early pregnancy did not raise the risk of any birth defects. 

If you're having pain, and are in the first half of your pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider about ibuprofen. It’s possible that they’ll recommend ibuprofen to relieve your pain, but they might recommend another OTC pain medication first. Acetaminophen is a common first-choice option during pregnancy.

After week 20 of pregnancy

Taking ibuprofen after the 20th week of pregnancy might affect your baby’s kidneys.

Those tiny, developing kidneys have a big job to do. In the second half of pregnancy, they’re responsible for making amniotic fluid. This is the fluid that surrounds your baby in the womb. Not having enough amniotic fluid can lead to poor lung development, skeletal issues, and pregnancy complications.

Ibuprofen use in the second half of pregnancy is also linked to early closure of the ductus arteriosus. The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel that connects the lungs and heart. If it closes too early, it can cause lung and heart damage. Even short-term use of ibuprofen during late pregnancy may put your baby at risk for this condition. 

What can I take instead of ibuprofen while I’m pregnant?

There are other OTC pain relievers that can be used in pregnancy. Acetaminophen is a common medication used to treat the aches and pains of pregnancy. But, all pain medications carry risks and benefits that should be discussed. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting a new medication during pregnancy. 

What happens if I take ibuprofen before I realize I’m pregnant? 

Ibuprofen is a common pain reliever, and some women may end up taking it before they know they’re pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking ibuprofen, talk to your healthcare provider. And, breathe a bit easier knowing that the risks of ibuprofen are likely lower in the first half of pregnancy. 

What are other things I can do to treat my pain while I’m pregnant? 

Some treatments for pain don’t involve taking medication at all. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if some of these non-medication treatment options are right for you:  

• Physical therapy

• Yoga

• Support belts

• Acupuncture

• Massage

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Hydrotherapy (but avoid hot tubs)

Always talk to your healthcare provider before exploring any of these options on your own. Depending on your stage of pregnancy, some treatments may need to be used carefully or avoided. 

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Written by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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