05/03/2023
Migraine medication in pregnancy
A migraine is a headache that occurs at irregular intervals. During pregnancy, it is generally safe to use medication to treat the symptoms caused by a migraine. The typical symptoms of a migraine are a one-sided, throbbing, pounding or stabbing headache. A migraine is often also associated with symptoms such as a loss of appetite, nausea, and noise and light sensitivity. Physical activity generally worsens the pain. Patients need to be careful when using medication to treat a migraine while pregnant because not all migraine medicines are safe to take in pregnancy.
Causes of migraines
The exact causes of migraines are 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.
Migraine medication during pregnancy
During pregnancy, it is generally safe to use medication to treat the typical symptoms of a migraine. Migraines can be treated using a range of different medications or active ingredients. You may have questions about how safe these medications are during pregnancy:
- 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 migraine medication during pregnancy
Taking migraine medication 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 migraine medication 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, some medicines that are safe to take during pregnancy, making them the preferred treatment option.
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