Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy

Abstract

As inhibitors of cyclooxygenase nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) given during pregnancy have the potential to cause adverse maternal and fetal effects. Maternal effects include prolongation of pregnancy and labour, whereas constriction of the ductus arteriosus, renal dysfunction and hemostatic abnormalities can occur in the fetus and neonate. Teratogenicity has not been found for the NSAID surveyed in this review. NSAIDs are excreted in small amounts into breastmilk with little risk for adverse effects in the suckling infant.