19/03/2023
Headache tablets during breastfeeding
Headaches affect almost everyone from time to time, but they are usually temporary and nothing to worry about. During breastfeeding, it is generally safe to use tablets to treat headaches. There are different types of headache, including tension headaches, migraines and cluster headaches. Headaches can develop gradually or suddenly, and they vary from dull and mild to pounding and very intense. Patients need to be careful when using headache tablets while breastfeeding because not all headache tablets are safe for breastfeeding mothers to take.
Causes of headaches
The various types of headache may have different causes. It is not entirely clear what causes tension headaches, but triggers may include stress combined with increased tension in the neck muscles. The exact causes of migraines are also unknown. It is believed that inflamed blood vessels in the brain may have a part to play. Another potential underlying factor is the way in which the brain processes pain signals. In people who are prone to migraines, triggers may include an irregular sleeping pattern, an irregular daily routine, hormonal changes, stress, certain foods and changes in the weather.
Headache tablets during breastfeeding
During breastfeeding, it is generally safe to use headache tablets to treat the typical symptoms of headaches. Headaches can be treated using a range of different headache tablets or active ingredients. You may have questions about how safe these medicines are while breastfeeding:
- Ibuprofen (Aktren, Dolormin, etc.), acetylsalicylic 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)
- Almotriptan (Almogran, Dolortriptan for migraines), eletriptan (Relpax), naratriptan (Naramig, Naratriptan-Ratiopharm), sumatriptan (Imigran, Sumatriptan-Ratiopharm), rizatriptan (Maxalt), zolmitriptan (AscoTop)
- Ergotamine (Erfgo-Kranit)
- Clostridium botulinum toxin (Botox)
- Erenumab (Aimovig), galcanezumab (Emgality)
- Flunarizine (Flunarizin acis)
- Metoprolol (Beloc-Zok), amitriptyline (Saroten), topiramate (Topamax)
- Homeopathic medicines, e.g. Antimigren, Dolfin, Migräne-Echtroplex, Migräne Gastreu
Risks of headache tablets during breastfeeding
Taking headache tablets while breastfeeding may cause various side effects, such as fatigue, dizziness and tightness in the chest. It is extremely important to choose the right headache tablets while breastfeeding because with some headache tablets, such as naratriptan, it is unknown whether they could cause symptoms in the baby as a result of being passed on through breast milk. There are, however, some headache tablets that can be taken while breastfeeding, making them the preferred treatment option.
Find out whether your headache tablets are safe for you and your baby while you are breastfeeding
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