Taking painkillers during pregnancy increases risk of miscarriage

Most people have a dangerous misconception about common over-the-counter drugs. They think pills like aspirin or non-aspirin pain relievers are “safe” just because they don’t require a prescription. That myth has caused numerous hospitalization and even deaths, and it may be causing miscarriages as well, according to a research study published in BMJ (formerly, British Medical Journal).

The study found that women who take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (such as Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, and Alleve) or aspirin during pregnancy increase their risk of miscarriage by 80%.

Researchers in California interviewed 1,055 pregnant women immediately after their pregnancy was confirmed. They asked the women about their drug use since they became pregnant, their reproductive history, known or potential risk factors for miscarriage, and sociodemographic characteristics.

They found that use of NSAIDs during pregnancy increased the risk of miscarriage by 80%. The risk was much higher when NSAIDs were taken around conception or were used for longer than a week. Taking account of other factors, including drinking alcohol or coffee, did not change the results.  Aspirin was similarly associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.

The drugs work by suppressing the production of prostaglandins (fatty acids needed for successful implantation of an embryo in the womb). Because NSAIDs and aspirin act on the whole body, they could lead to abnormal implantation that predisposes an embryo to miscarriage.

SOURCE: “Exposure to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy and risk of miscarriage: population based cohort study,” BMJ, 2003;327:368, August 16, 2003.