Advil v. Tylenol?

Question

This is something I've been wondering about since I am pergnant and the only think that works on my back pain is Advil. Why isn't a pregnant woman allowed to take Advil but is allowed to take tylenol? What is the difference?

Answer 1

Well firstly advil and aspirin thin the blood.

But the real complication from advil is during the third trimester it can cause the duct in the babies heart to close prematurely. That causes death. Realistically advil is *probably* safe during the first two trimesters but no-one really knows.

There are other safe options beside tylenol (though tylenol is probably the safest). Naproxen and Piroxicam are pregnancy category B. You should discuss pain management with your OB or call Motherisk.org (if you use a 10-10 long distance plan it will cost less than $2):

Motherisk's Home Line - [phone] - for information about the risk or safety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, chemicals, x-rays, chronic disease and infections during pregnancy. [This is a toll call to our Toronto call centre. Callers may have to wait up to 10 minutes to speak to a counsellor.]

These Helplines are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.


Also chiropractic care may work, and has been associated with shorter labours and can prevent breech babies as well.

"It's best to avoid it, although experts consider ibuprofen unsafe only in your last trimester. That's because this painkiller, like all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken after 32 weeks of pregnancy, can cause the opening between the major arteries in your baby's heart to close prematurely. "
http://www.babycenter.com/plus/safe/quest.jhtml?iisQuestId=1136813

"Can I take ibuprofen if I’m pregnant?
Women who are pregnant should not take ibuprofen unless their doctor, after discussing the risks and benefits, recommends treatment. Ibuprofen should be avoided during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and it is contraindicated during the third trimester.

If ibuprofen is taken during the last trimester, particularly during the last few days before birth, there is a risk that labour may be prolonged. If ibuprofen is used close to the time of delivery, there is also the possibility that it may cause closure of the ductus arteriosus in the unborn child prior to birth and this may result in cardiovascular defects. Other potential problems for the newborn child include kidney problems and a reduced ability of the blood to clot."
http://www.ibuprofen-foundation.com/suitability/fertility.htm

Answer 2

Unfortunately I know where you are coming from - I've been pregnant 5 times before and now in my 6th. I also have back problems and normally take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve) for my back - But during pregnancy - it’s really a NO-NO. What I do is go to the chiropractor. Most of them have special tables that have a tummy spot that "drops out" to fit the ever expanding belly. I find that most of my back problems are taken care of with in 2 - 3 visits even when I've let them get bad. During pregnancy I see the chiropractor once a month even if I feel fine because getting adjusted helps prevent me having the back problems that I had during my first 2 that I didn't go .

Info below is from www.Babycenter.com They have a whole section on IS IT SAFE DURING PREGNANCY - questions.

... unless your healthcare provider prescribes it, you should avoid taking aspirin altogether, as well as other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis), which can have similar effects.

Check the labels of all over-the-counter drugs to make sure they don't contain aspirin or other NSAIDs. Better yet, check with your caregiver or pharmacist. It can be hard to tell because some products list their ingredients under different names. Aspirin is sometimes called salicylate or acetylsalicylic acid, for example.

When you need to take something for pain relief while you're pregnant, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is considered safe to use as directed on the label

Answer 3

Advil has a dose of a muscle relaxant in it. It's not a whole lot, but can cause the muscles in your cervix to loosen and that is why doctors don't want you taking it. Stick to Tylenol.

Answer 4

Advil is Ibuprofen and it is not safe for pregnant women. I am not really sure why but I do know it thins your blood.

Answer 5

Ibuprofen can cause major birth defects where Tylenol does not contain this, good luck

Answer 6

Is there asprin in advil? If so then that is why. Also Tylenol has been proven safe for unborn babies.

Answer 7

They have ibeprofun in advil that is not in tylenol. Anti inflamitories can cause problems in pregnancy. Talk to your doctor there may be something else they can give you.

Answer 8

1. advil is ibprofen - its been proven that if you take it for a long time its link to asthma. (my friend who took advil allll the time is now on asthma medicine).
2. tynenol is acetometphin - its also clinically proven to be safe to take at anytime (on empty stomachs, while pregnant)

personally for me i love tynenol, i use it for everything.

http://www.asthma.partners.org/newfiles/AspirinSensitivity.html
http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/What-nonprescription-medications-can-you-take-for-a-cold-while-pregnant-5980.htm