Naproxen during pregnancy

[Nichola2310]

Anyone else been prescribed this during pregnancy? I’m 15 +5 and have been prescribed it by my GP but am nervous to take it.

If your GP has prescribed it, I'd assume that it's ok. Understand your reluctance though. Why has it been recommended for you?

mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/naproxen/

Thanks for the fact sheet. I have been prescribed it for severe sciatica. I saw a physio today and after a full assessment his answer was I need to be taking an anti inflammatory, he can help the muscular pain but not nerve pain. The info on naproxen doesn’t specifically say it’s dangerous or safe, so I’m very unsure what to do.

It’s absolutely not safe after 30 weeks.

The data on before that is sparse, as with many drugs in pregnancy, there just isn't good data because we can’t test on pregnant women.
there are some possible associations with cleft palate, cardiovascular malformations and spontaneous abortion BUT the data just isnt there to say yes or no on safety.

It’s a difficult one. How bad is the sciatica? Is it pregnancy related? Have you had a hands on manipulation type treatment from an osteo who specialises in women’s health?

The thing is if this is a long term thing you cannot take naproxen past 30 weeks. So I would be discussing with the physiology HOW he plans to treat you (excercises alone? Manipulation?) and then also with the GP for her thoughts on safety.

FWIW I suffered from sciatica secondary to Spd during pregnancy and the pain is very unpleasant - an osteo managed to sort it about 75%

Thanks for your comments. I have tried absolutely everything in terms of other treatments, and came to the conclusion today that I am no longer safe to be driving. I live in the country so effectively housebound unless I can get on top of this pain. I have been taking cocodamol for 9 weeks now, so they have become ineffective.

The sciatica is pregnancy related, however I had surgery 3 years ago also because of sciatica but had recovered. I’m 100 times worse now than the day before my surgery.