The article will discuss how to use "Indomethacin" during pregnancy.
According to statistics, almost all women use any medications while they are waiting for the baby. Some of them sometimes even resort to self-treatment if they feel that they have caught a cold or become infected with a viral disease. However, most expectant mothers, fortunately, recognize the importance of healthy bearing and when the first symptoms of the disease occur, they go to the doctor for advice.
The use of the drug Indomethacin during pregnancy is due to the property of the active substance of the drug to fully or partially stop the increased tone of the uterus. The state of excessive tension of the uterine walls is a rather dangerous phenomenon, since it is the main premise of a miscarriage.
You can use "Indomethacin" during pregnancy or not, we will tell below.
What is this medicine?
In fact, the spectrum of action of this pharmacological drug is much wider: in addition to obstetric and gynecological areas, the drug "Indomethacin" is successfully used in ophthalmology, surgery, neurology, it is used as an effective antipyretic and analgesic medicine. However, the drug does not act without collateral damage to the patient’s body, and pregnancy is one of the main contraindications to the use of this drug. Most manufacturers in the annotation indicate that the use of Indomethacin during pregnancy is possible in the third trimester, but with great care.
How to use this drug in pregnant women is not fundamental, since its active drug element is able to penetrate the placental barrier. Under such a condition, even the most careful caution will not help.
After using this medicine, the result can be noticed almost immediately - the medicine is very quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and begins to have a therapeutic effect - it suppresses the production of prostaglandins, relieves inflammation, relaxes muscle tissue and relieves pain.
Composition and form of release
The medicine is available in the form of rectal suppositories, ointments and tablets, but only suppositories are used during pregnancy. It is available in packs of 10 or 5 pieces in cardboard boxes with instructions.
The main active element of this dosage form of the medication is indomethacin, and fat and hard paraffin are used as additional substances in its production.
Indomethacin during pregnancy
In the process of bearing a child, especially in the initial stages, women often experience an increase in uterine tone, which is very dangerous, since this is the threat of spontaneous miscarriage. Therefore, the appointment of this medication in some cases is necessary in order to eliminate this condition and maintain pregnancy.
Possible fetal pathologies provoked by the drug
Studies have shown that the drug "Indomethacin" during pregnancy in the form of tablets can be dangerous for the fetus, and can cause such pathologies:
- heart defects incompatible with life;
- damage to the digestive system;
- cerebral hemorrhage;
- platelet disorders;
- hypertension of the lungs;
- early closure of the ductus arteriosus.
Some experts are convinced that the use of this medication in the form of suppositories in the early stages can not harm the child, therefore, this drug is prescribed for uterine hypertonicity in the first weeks of pregnancy.
Contraindications
Before using the candles of the medicinal product Indomethacin, it is recommended that a pregnant woman obtain a doctor’s prescription and familiarize herself with the instructions that accompany the medicine. The medication has the following restrictions on use:
- high individual sensitivity to the substances present in the composition of the medicinal product;
- diseases of the digestive organs of a chronic nature;
- blood pathologies, which are accompanied by a violation of the processes of its coagulability;
- diseases of the liver and kidneys, which occur with a pronounced violation of their basic functions;
- chronic heart failure;
- inflammatory process with the formation of hemorrhoidal nodes and accompanied by bleeding;
- paraproctitis, proctitis.
Method of application and dosage regimen
The dosage of this pharmacological drug per day for a pregnant woman is set in a purely individual order, which is due to the severity of the pathological process. Suppositories are used rectally. According to general recommendations, during pregnancy, 1 suppository 1-2 times a day should be inserted into the rectum. The duration of the course of therapy with this drug is up to 14 days. If during this period there are no significant improvements in the condition, you should re-contact a specialist, since it is possible that such treatment for a pregnant woman is not enough and a correction of the therapeutic dosage is necessary.
Before using suppositories, it is advisable to empty the intestines. In the presence of chronic constipation, it will be advisable to conduct a cleansing enema.
Side effects in the expectant mother
The negative effect of a medical product extends not only to the fetus, it can also affect the maternal body in the form of side effects. According to reviews, "Indomethacin" during pregnancy can provoke the following negative symptoms:
- Digestive organs: nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, abdominal pain, irritation of the intestinal mucosa, excessive gas formation, impaired liver function.
- Cardiovascular system: heart failure, increased blood pressure;
- Nervous system: fatigue, headache, dizziness, irritability, depression, insomnia or drowsiness.
- Genitourinary system: proteinuria, impaired renal function, nephrotic syndrome, hematuria.
- Sense organs: conjunctivitis, visual impairment, hearing loss, the appearance of tinnitus, a change in taste sensations.
- Allergic reactions: bronchospasm, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock, redness and itching of the skin.
- Local reactions: inflammation of the hemorrhoids, burning in the anorectal region.
Exacerbation of hemorrhoids and swelling are some of the most obvious symptoms that appear when using Indomethacin suppositories during pregnancy. The instruction confirms this. This must be reported to the attending gynecologist.
Trimester medication
In the 1st trimester, the use of this medication is undesirable, but it is often prescribed for increased uterine tone. This medication is quite dangerous, so a pregnant woman has the right to demand its replacement with another more harmless medicine.
In the 2nd trimester, the medicine “Indomethacin” is contraindicated, since this is not the medicine whose placenta is able to protect the child from the negative effects. During this period, there is too high a level of danger and an impressive list of side effects.
In the 3rd trimester, many doctors are afraid to prescribe Indomethacin during pregnancy with uterine tone, while others believe that at this time it will be more useful than potential harm.
Drug interaction
With the combined use of suppositories during pregnancy with beta-blockers, a significant decrease in the therapeutic effectiveness of the latter is possible. Under the influence of Indomethacin, the effect of indirect anticoagulants is enhanced, therefore, during gestation, it is better not to use such drugs at the same time, so that there is no likelihood of bleeding. With the parallel use of the drug with methotrexate, the risk of liver damage and toxicity to the body of a pregnant woman significantly increases.
Special recommendations
The use of "Indomethacin" during pregnancy increases the risk of disorders from the blood coagulation process. When using this medication during pregnancy, periodic monitoring of the clinical picture of blood and blood pressure indicators is necessary.
With special care, this drug is prescribed for pregnant women who suffer from diseases of the kidneys, liver, hypertension, epilepsy, as well as those who underwent surgery in the previous few months.
In order to prevent the likelihood of developing internal bleeding, the drug Indomethacin in the form of suppositories is not recommended for use in combination with acetylsalicylic acid or drugs from the category of anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs, which are prescribed only in extremely severe cases of the disease.
With cracks in the anus or bleeding hemorrhoidal nodes, drug suppositories are not used, and this is due to the high probability of opening bleeding.
During the introduction of the suppository, there may be discomfort, tingling, or the presence of a foreign object in the rectum. Such symptoms do not require discontinuation of treatment, are normal and disappear on their own after a while.
Since dizziness and weakness may appear in a pregnant patient during therapy with this medication, you should refrain from driving.
Reviews of gynecologists
On medical sites you can find reviews about Indomethacin suppositories during pregnancy, but there are few of them. Experts say that this medication is not very popular in obstetric practice today, since modern pharmaceuticals offer many new, modern and safe means to reduce uterine tone. The medicine "Indomethacin", according to them, is used to this day, but there is a significant decrease in the frequency of its administration. Moreover, today there are more effective drugs, including herbal origin, which help to deal with a similar problem during pregnancy and are prescribed for all gestation periods.