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Pain Medicine in Pregnancy

Taking medicine for pain during pregnancy

DO NOT TAKE IBUPROFEN. Ibuprofen can harm the baby’s kidneys and the baby’s heart.
DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN. Aspirin is used ONLY for specific reasons in pregnancy.

Pain during pregnancy falls into two general categories: headache pain and all other pains. Headaches and migraines in pregnancy are not discussed here. This discussion is limited to NON-headache severe pain, such as:

  • muscle pain
  • back pain
  • joint pain
  • kidney stone pain
  • ligament pain
  • post surgery pain

Tylenol/acetaminophen is safe in pregnancy. You can take as much as 1000 mg every 6 hours. Maximum dose is 4 grams each day. Four grams is EIGHT extra strength tablets or TWELVE regular tablets. CAUTION: certain pain medicines have acetaminophen in them. DO NOT take Percocet or Vicodin and extra Tylenol pills.

  • 3 Regular (325 mg each) every six hours
  • 2 Regular (325 mg each) every four hours
  • 2 Extra Strength (500 mg each) every six hours
  • 1 Extra Strength (500 mg each) every three hours

Narcotic pain medicine is safe to take in pregnancy. Commonly used narcotic pain medicines are COMBINED WITH TYLENOL. You must NOT take Tylenol/acetaminophen when taking these medicines. Too much Tylenol is bad for your liver.

  • Tylenol III (codeine with 300 mg of Tylenol) – 1 or 2 or 3 pills, every six hours
  • Tylenol III (codeine with 300 mg of Tylenol) – 1 or 2 pills, every four hours
  • Vicodin (hydrocodone with 325 mg Tylenol) – 1 or 2 pills, every four hours
  • Vicodin (hydrocodone with 500 mg Tylenol) – 1 or 2 pills, every six hours
  • Percocet (oxycodone with 325 mg Tylenol) – 1 or 2 pills, every three or four hours.

NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICINE CAN CAUSE CONSTIPATION….and you can treat constipation.

The medicines listed on this page are considered safe, effective and appropriate to take during pregnancy. However, all medicines should be taken as directed by a physician.

Safe medicines in pregnancy

Most over the counter medicines for colds, allergies and heartburn are safe in pregnancy. If the symptoms don’t improve you should Stop taking the medicine and talk to your doctor or practitioner. The following medicines should be considered safe in pregnancy. Read more…