Headache & Pain Medicine While Preganant

Updated on April 23, 2009
K.C. asks from Henderson, NV
34 answers

Hello Moms-
I'm feeling the symptoms of pregnancy and I am pretty sure this is the case even though tests are still showing negative. I am just weeks into it if this is the case. Mean while I get headaches from a past car accident injury. I forgot which medicine is safe to take from my first pregnancy. Could you please help me. I think motrin is okay and tylenol is not is this correct?

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V.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

homeopathy is safe and gentle for the growing baby. if you are lucky, the remedy you need may even be in the mix they sell in health stores.
Good Luck
V.

N.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

no I was told tylenol is the only thing were allowed to take. and that doesn't include tylenol cold and everything just regular tylenol because even when I was sick with a cold they said tylenol cold was not okay.

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M.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Tylenol is just fine. You shouldn't take aspirin or anything with ibrupophen...(don't think I spelled that correctly).

-M

More Answers

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M.L.

answers from Santa Barbara on

hey K.,
They say Tylenol is ok to take...I had migrane problems during the first trimester and it was really bad!
For me the best alternative to taking anything was acupuncture. It helped a lot and eventually the headaches stopped after month 3...
Hope you'll feel better,
M.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I had BAD morning sickness AND migraines with BOTH my pregnancies. The ONLY thing that cured it completely, was acupuncture. This was approved and even recommended by my OB/GYN.

It only took 1, 1/2 hour session, and then it was gone for the entire remainder of my pregnancy.
Of course, see an Accupuncturist that deals with pregnant women.

I highly recommend this solution... even if you are pregnant or not, or if this just pertains to your injury.

Take care,
Susan

1 mom found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from San Diego on

I feel for you. I had major back pain during pregnancy. Motrin or Advil would always take care of the pain, but during pregnancy,my OB would only allow Tylenol. Have you tried Accupuncture? It helped me greatly during pregnancy and there is some herbal relief that really helped me that my OB ok'd also. Feel better!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Unfortunately,even though we are told Tylenol is ok, truly no drug has been proven safe for a baby in utero, so it's a matter of risk vs. benefit.Have you thought about and/or tried alternative, less invasive treatments to your headaches like massage, chiropractic adjustments, accupuncture? Or stretching/yoga? (Yoga's great for preparing for birth anyway.)

Good luck in your pregnancy,K.! (Look up www.blueribbonbaby.org for some great nutritional direction)

1 mom found this helpful
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A.B.

answers from San Diego on

Hello K.,
Can I make a suggestion? I would highly recommend going to see a chiropractor before taking any drugs, especially if you think you might be pregnant. My chiropractor has done amazing things for my husbands terrible headaches. It could be as simple as adjusting your spine to relieve pressure somewhere that is causing your headaches. I don't know where you live, but if you are anywhere in North County Inland San Diego please go see her.

Dr. Erin Anderson
Family Chirpractic Center
12285 Scripps Poway Pkwy. Suite #103
Poway, CA 92064
###-###-####

Good luck. I hope she can help you with your pain.
A.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.W.

answers from Los Angeles on

Tylenol is ok. Ibuprofen can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy. no aspirin. call your doctor to be sure- they should have a nurses line where you can ask questions like this. Congrats on the pregnancy!

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J.W.

answers from San Diego on

Try to see a Chiropractor. Mine rid me of migranes because of a bone out of place next to my skull. After 15 years I no longer get them!!!!

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K.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

Tylenol is okay, but I don't know about Motrin. In any case, I would check first with your OB. Congratulations on the pregnancy!

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J.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

unfortunately the only medication you can take while pregnant is regular strength tylenol and sudafed for stuffy nose all has to be regular strength and as always taken in moderation

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A.B.

answers from Las Vegas on

you can take tylenol, not ibuprofen

S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

the same thing that Jacqueline was talking about happened to me. i was only having migraines for a year then i went to a chiropractor because of lower back pains and he showed me a map of the body with symptoms on it and i told him about all the symptoms i was having and they were all gone after he finished with my back! it was like magic.

i hear its very good to see a chiropractor while your pregnant as well.

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M.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Tylenol is ok. I would also suggesst ice or heat that works for me. I have always had headaches and migraines the good news for me was during my 3 pregnancies I was always headache free. Good luck & congratulations

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L.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

Actually it's the other way around. Technically both are OK for the first and second trimesters but Motrin is BAD in the third. To be safe, I only took Tylenol for my entire pregnancy.

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A.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

I didn't read all of the responses, so hope I'm not duplicating. Tylenol was not enough for my headaches while pregnant, but I found if I took it with a soda, the small amount of caffeine gave the Tylenol a little boost and usually the headache went away. I stuck with regular Coke, I didn't want to expose myself to the artificial sweeteners in Diet Coke. I'm sure coffee would do the same, I'm just not a coffee drinker. There are stronger/safe meds that your doctor can prescribe.

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L.F.

answers from San Diego on

No, it's the other way around. Can't take Motrin (anykind of ibuprofen) and you can take tylenol.

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S.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi K., When I was about 1 months pregant, I was surfering wth a headace and the dr. gave me Tylenol for the pain.

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

I never take any of that stuff, since it's only covering up symptoms, not taking care of the actual problem.

I found that drinking 3-4 liters of Smart water and taking Bioplasma (Hyland's homepathic) helped tremendously, for replacing elctrolytes without all that sugar in those drinks.

I also found that chiropractic adjustment worked wonders! it took me a few different chiros to find the one that worked the best for me. Maybe get a referral from a friend? Also, getting adjutsted made all of my natural labors go SO well...and it sped them up....even with my 10+ pounder at home! Most of my friends who have gone to my chiro had 19-30 horus labors before they got adjusted and when they got adjusted during their pregnancies, their labors went to 4-6 hours.

Studies show labor duration is decreased 25-33% in women who are adjusted throughout pregnancy.

Good luck!

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K.N.

answers from San Diego on

opposite - use Tylenol and not Motrin.

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N.A.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

Hi K.

Basically the only medication you can take during preganancy without MD order is Tylenol 650 mg every 6 hours..do not take Motrin (ibuprofen). If your headache is not better after the Tylenol, lots of water, and some sleep I would call your MD to let them know.

Hope your headache is better,
N.

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B.I.

answers from Honolulu on

Hi K.,
Actually, you have it in reverse: Tylenol is safe during pregnancy (do not exceed dosage and frequency), but Motrin (ibuprofen) is not recommended. You can actually take 1000mg Tylenol (or acetamenophen) every 4 to 6 hours. But you should avoid Motrin or other NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) during pregnancy, except on advice of your ob-gyn.
Also, be sure to avoid combination meds like over-the-counter cold/flu preparations containing multiple ingredients. You should not hesitate to ask a pharmacist, or your doctor, about any medications during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Have a happy, healthy pregnancy, K.!

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S.A.

answers from Honolulu on

Other way around, Tylenol IS ok, not Motrin (or anything else really for that matter). Good luck :)

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J.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Tylenol is okay and motrin is not.

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M.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello K.,
I am 11 weeks pregnant right now and my doctor said tylenol and extra strength tylenol are safe. No ibeprofen or asparin. Hope this helps! M.

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

tylenol is safe in prgnancy no advil,motrin or aspirin.

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J.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Other way around - Tylenol is okay; Advil, and the like are not. Good luck!

S.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Motrin is NOT okay: http://pain.emedtv.com/motrin/motrin-and-pregnancy.html

Tylenol is fine. Also, my CNM told me that if you've been avoiding caffeine during your pregnancy, you can have 1/2 cup of coffee and this will help your headache.

I especially like the suggestions below for chiropractic. I wouldn't have thought of that, which is dumb, because I used it successfully during my pregnancy! If you can get a massage, that will also help, but make sure you get a massage therapist who is certified for pregnant women -- there are pressure points that can cause labor.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

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C.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi K.,
Well, I'm pregnant -5 months today, and suffer from headaches frequently. Unfortunately, the only safe
med. for preggos is Tylenol, or acetaminophen.
I highly recommend finding a good chiropractor as
most headaches are greatly relieved after an adjustment!

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D.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

During my pregnancy the only thing I was allowed to take was Tylenol. I would check with your OB/GYN and see. I don't think it has changed.

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

tylenol and nothing else with out a drs okay. also im sure you can google what medications are safe durring pregnancy :)

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E.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

DO NOT TAKE MOTRIN OR ADVIL OR IBUPROFEN WHILE PREGNANT. Tylenol is the only acceptable NSAID you can can take. You should be asking your doctor these questions just to be sure though. Congrats if it's positive!!

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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I was told at my last prenatal visit that Tylenol is okay to take during pregnancy. I am not sure about motrin though. You may want to call your OBGYN and ask just to confirm.

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