Can I take ibuprofen while pregnant or breastfeeding?

If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. It is especially important not to use ibuprofen at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy unless definitely directed to do so by a doctor because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.

Drug Facts label: Ibuprofen (oral), Lidl US LLC. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

Pregnancy Risk Summary Use of NSAIDs, including Ibuprofen tablets, can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios and, in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. Because of these risks, limit dose and duration of Ibuprofen tablets use between about 20 and 30 weeks of gestation, and avoid Ibuprofen tablets use at about 30 weeks of gestation and later in pregnancy [see WARNINGS; Fetal Toxicity ]. Premature Closure of Fetal Ductus Arteriosus Use of NSAIDs, including Ibuprofen tablets, at about 30 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy increases the risk of premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus. Oligohydramnios/Neonatal Renal Impairment Use of NSAIDs at about 20 weeks gestation or later in pregnancy has been associated with cases of fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios, and in some cases, neonatal renal impairment. Data from observational studies regarding other potential embryofetal risks of NSAID use in women in the first or second trimesters of pregnancy are inconclusive. Reproductive studies conducted in rats and rabbits have not demonstrated evidence of developmental abnormalities.

Prescribing label, section “Pregnancy” (opening excerpt): Ibuprofen (oral), PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Read the full section on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

Because of its extremely low levels in breastmilk, short half-life and safe use in infants in doses that are much higher than those excreted in breastmilk, ibuprofen is a preferred choice as an analgesic or anti-inflammatory agent in nursing mothers. Giving ibuprofen and acetaminophen on a fixed schedule for 24 hours after vaginal delivery appears to increase the breastfeeding rate. There is no difference in breastfeeding initiation rate between ibuprofen or acetaminophen alone after vaginal delivery.

“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Ibuprofen” (LM142), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Ibuprofen while breastfeeding.

Nursing Mothers It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human-milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from Ibuprofen tablets, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Prescribing label, section “Nursing Mothers”: Ibuprofen (oral), PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.