Back pain medicine in pregnancy

Back pain is pain in the lower part of the back between the hips and the ribs. Very severe back pain that comes on suddenly is also called lumbago. Generally speaking, back pain is not a cause for concern, appears suddenly and disappears after a period of time. During pregnancy, it is generally safe to use medicine to treat the symptoms caused by back pain. Back pain is usually associated with muscle tension and is also often combined with restricted movement. Sometimes back pain radiates into the legs. Patients need to be careful when using medicine to treat back pain while pregnant because not all back pain medicines are safe to take in pregnancy.

Causes of back pain

Back pain rarely has a single cause. Back pain can be triggered by a range of factors, including lack of movement, muscle tension, loading the back incorrectly, poor posture and stress. Back pain can also have specific causes, such as an acute slipped disc. Many women experience back pain during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester.

Back pain medicine during pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is generally safe to use medicine to treat the typical symptoms of back pain. Back pain can be treated using a range of different medicines or active ingredients. You may have questions about how safe these medicines are during pregnancy::

• Ibuprofen (Aktren, Dolormin, etc.), acet alsalicylic acid (Aspirin, Dolomo, Neuralgin, Godamed,Melabon, Excedrin Kopfschmerz und Migräne Headache and Migraine), ketoprofen (Gabrilen), naproxen (Dolormin, Naproxen InfectoPharm), diclofenac (Voltaren)
• Paracetamol (Ben-u-ron, Migränerton)
• Metamizole (Analgin)
• Etoricoxib (Arcoxia), celecoxib (Celebrex)
• Flunarizine (Flunarizin acis)
• Tramadol (Tramal, Tramundin), fentanyl (Abstral, Breakyl, Durogesic SMAT), buprenorphine(Buprenorphin Libra-Pharm 3 Days 35/52.5/70 Micrograms/Hour transdermal patch,Buprenorphin Libra-Pharm 4 Days 35/52.5/70 Micrograms/Hour transdermal patch,Buprenorphin Libra-Pharm 7 Days 5/10/20 Micrograms/Hour transdermal patch,Buprenorphin-neuraxpharm 35/52.5/70 Micrograms/Hour transdermal patch, Buprenorphin-neuraxpharm 7 Days 5/10/20 Micrograms/Hour transdermal patch, Temgesic), codeine (codiOPT tablets), dihydrocodeine (DHC 60 mg/90 mg/120 mg Mundipharma), pethidine(Dolcontral), hydromorphone (Hydromorphon-hameln, Jurnista, Palladon), morphine (MST,Oramorph), nalbuphine (Nubain), oxycodone (Oxygesic), tapentadol (Palexia)
• Herbal medicines, e.g. capsaicin (ABC Lokale Schmerztherapie Wärme-Creme heat cream,Qutenza), cayenne pepper (ABC Lokale Schmerztherapie Wärme-pflaster heat patches),nonivamide (ABC Lokale Schmerztherapie Wärme-pflaster heat patches, Capsi-med Wärmepflaster heat patches), eucalyptus oil (Abofit), mint oil (Abovital, Euminz, JHP Rödler Japanisches Minzöl Japanese mint oil), peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and rosemary oil (Doloplant bei Muskel-und Gelenkschmerzen Creme muscle and joint pain cream), devil’sclaw root (Doloteffin, Harpavit, Jucurba), nettle leaves (Hox alpha, Rheuma-Hek)
• Glucosamine (Dona), hyaluronic acid (GO-ON, Hyalart, HyalOne, Hyalubrix, Orthovisc),ammonium bituminosulphonate (Ichtholan spezial Salbe ointment)
• Homeopathic medicines, e.g. Aconitum napellus, camphor, lavender oil, quartz (Aconit Schmerzöl Ölige Einreibung embrocation); Acidum arsenicosum, Berberis vulgaris, Citrullus colocynthis, Toxicodendron quercifolium, Urtica (Araniforce arthro Mischung); Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis (Arnica comp. Gel); Apis mellifica, Bryonia, Ferrum phosphoricum (Arthriplex); Ledum palustre, Bryonia, Apis mellifica, Berberis vulgaris (Arthrokatt); Berberis vulgaris, Ledum palustre, Thuja occidentalis, Toxicodendron quercifolium, Colchicum autumnale, Formica rufa, Lithium carbonicum (arthroLoges); Berberis vulgaris, Artemisia abrotanum, Colchicum autumnale, Pseudognaphalium, Ledum palustre, Strychnos nux-vomica (Berberis N Oligoplex); Bryonia, Toxicodendron quercifolium,Solanum dulcamara, Phytolacca americana, Pseudognaphalium (Bryorheum N); Bellis perennis, Ferrum metallicum, phosphorus, Sanguinaria canadensis (Delto-cyl L Ho-Len-Complex); Citrullus colocynthis, Daphne mezereum, Ranunculus bulbosus (DILUPLEX);Gelsemium sempervirens, Aconitum napellus, Pseudognaphalium, Daphne mezereum, Paris quadrifolia, Ranunculus bulbosus (Gelsemium N Oligoplex); Ledum palustre, Bryonia,Phytolacca americana, Guaiacum (Homvioartrin)
• Methotrexate (Methotrexat Mundipharma), rituximab (MabThera, Rixathon, Ruxience

Risks of back pain medicine during pregnancy

Taking back pain medicine during pregnancy may cause various side effects, such as an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and dizziness. It is extremely important to choose the right back pain medicine during pregnancy since some medicines such as ibuprofen are discouraged (contraindicated) from the 28th week of pregnancy because they may lead to serious complications for the unborn child (closure of the ductus arteriosus blood vessel,kidney damage). There are, however, medicines that can be taken during pregnancy, making them the preferred treatment option.

Find out whether your back pain medicines are safe for you and your baby during pregnancy

You are just 3 simple steps away from your personal consultation

At home – no visit to the doctor – no hassle

Book

Choose the type of consultation and book an appointment online.

Tell us about yourself

Answer a few questions about your situation and tell us which medicines you need advice about.

Receive advice

Receive personalised advice about the safety of your medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Book a consultation now