Common painkillers linked to higher risk of miscarriage says new research

TAKING painkillers such as ibuprofen during early pregnancy – even in small amounts – can more than double the risk of miscarriage, research shows.

A new study found non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increased the chances of a woman losing her baby if taken in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.

While such drugs are not recommended for use by pregnant women, many could be unaware of the risks when they buy the drugs over the counter.

Midwives and pharmaceutical experts said the latest study emphasised the need for pregnant women to heed warnings about the risks of taking painkillers. While women are advised to avoid many drugs when pregnant, previous studies have shown inconsistent results when examining the effect of NSAIDs.

The latest study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, examined commonly-used NSAIDs including ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac.

The researchers from the University of Montreal found women who took any type, and any dose, of NSAID had a 2.4 times higher risk of miscarriage than those who did not.

Overall, 4,705 cases of miscarriage were analysed, of which 352 (7.5 per cent) involved women taking NSAIDs.

Researcher Dr Anick Berard said: “We consistently saw the risk of spontaneous abortion was associated with gestational use of diclofenac, naproxen, celecoxib, ibuprofen and rofecoxib alone or in combination.”