Thursday, March 16, 2023

Can You Take Excedrin Migraine While Pregnant

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What Should I Tell My Doctor Before I Take This

Ask Dr Charlotte: What medications for migraine sufferers are safe to take during pregnancy?

If you have a known allergy to any of Migraine Reliefâs three ingredients, tell your doctor so that you can avoid an allergic reaction.

You should also tell your doctor if you have polyps in your nose and/or if you have ever experienced swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing after taking aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen.

As always, itâs smart to inform your doctor of all of the medications that youâre currently taking, and let them know if you have bleeding problems or excessive bruising.

Tell your doctor if youâre pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Per the FDA, aspirin is generally not recommended during pregnancy.

Finally, you shouldnât take this medication more than two days per week, as it can lead to medication overuse or rebound headaches, which are more difficult-to-treat conditions. If you have been taking this medication for more than two days each week on average, let your doctor know right away.

Migraine Triggers During Pregnancy

Hormonal change is a common trigger for women with migraine. During pregnancy, oestrogen levels increase sharply, while progesterone levels decrease and rise again towards the end of the pregnancy.

Overall migraine improves during pregnancy especially during the second and third trimesters. This improvement may be due to the increased oestrogen levels and increased levels of natural pain-killing hormones .

These hormones are several times higher during pregnancy, and though the relief from migraine attacks they provide might last the whole pregnancy, the levels settle back down after delivery, normally allowing migraine attacks to return.

However, not everyone will see an improvement in their migraine, especially in the early weeks of pregnancy. For some women, their migraine is unaffected. Some women experience worsening migraine during pregnancy although this is rare.

During breastfeeding, stable oestrogen levels continue to be protective against having headache again after pregnancy.

However you are affected, it can help to identify any migraine attack triggers that you have, such as lack of sleep, stress, missed meals and dehydration. Keeping a headache diary may help pinpoint your triggers so you can avoid those things. Log when the headache happened, what triggered it, and how long it lasted. Common triggers include but are not limited to:

But My Headache Is Bad What Can I Do

When you have a bad headache, reaching for an aspirin is usually the norm, but as we have explored it comes with some very real risks to your babys development. Therefore, youll need to look at some alternatives to solve that pesky headache.

Luckily, excedrin offers a product that has no aspirin in it called excedrin tension. This medication aims to solve the pain and discomfort a person is feeling relating to headaches and migraines, where you feel that your head is in a vice.

In this circumstance though, you still need to exercise caution due to the fact that it still contains caffeine. Pregnant people can certainly have caffeine and enjoy things like a great cup of joe in the morning but its recommended that you limit your caffeine intake.

Caffeine in large doses can affect your babys development pace and can, in rare circumstances, cause a premature birth. If however, you take caffeine and this medication responsibly and carefully you are going to be fine.

If however, youre looking to completely avoid any risks, you might be looking to alternative and natural therapies. A classic way that people often deal with headaches is to use an ice pack.

Ice packs act to reduce inflammation and emit a soothing, calming effect which slows down your racing mind and makes you think about other things that arent related to your pain.

Its important that you stay hydrated too and dehydration is likely to make your headache feel worse.

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What Causes A Miscarriage In Your First Trimester

What causes miscarriage? About half of all miscarriages that occur in the first trimester are caused by chromosomal abnormalities which might be hereditary or spontaneous in the parents sperm or egg. Chromosomes are tiny structures inside the cells of the body that carry many genes, the basic units of heredity.

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I Often Get A Headache Just As A Big Storm Approaches Is That More Than A Coincidence

excedrin migraine while breastfeeding

It may be. Changes in the weather, usually from good to bad, can trigger a migraine or other type of headache. Some migraine sufferers can actually predict their headaches by changes in the weather. Scientists theorize that as a storm front approaches, changes in the barometric pressure affect the headache sufferer, triggering a migraine attack.

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Excedrin Migraine Pain Reliever/pain Reliever Aid Coated Caplets 200 Caplets

Acetaminophen is used to relieve mild to moderate headache, muscle pain, menstrual periods, cold and sore throat, toothache, back pain, and reaction to vaccines and to reduce fever. Acetaminophen can also be used to relieve pain in osteoarthritis . Acetaminophen is in a class of drugs called analgesics and antipyretics . It works by changing the way the body perceives pain and cooling the body.

Acetaminophen is available along with other pain relievers and anti-sickness medications. It is an ingredient in a wide range of cold and flu remedies.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking acetaminophen and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care:

Acetaminophen can cause other side effects. Contact your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine.

Headaches And Migraines During The First Trimester

Experience has taught us that pregnancy symptoms are somewhat peculiar. In light of this, some women will not have to deal with that ringing sensation in their head headaches and/or migraines during pregnancy. However, it is a possibility and a huge one from the report that our team has gathered.

Although its adverse effects do not include damage to the baby in the womb, these headaches or migraines can be quite severe. Such kinds of headaches and migraines seem to go along with sleep disturbance. This is particularly in the first trimester. Medical reports from some trusted sources explain that it will likely become less severe with time.

But how do you treat or get soon-enough relief when the headache or migraine is unbearable? Can you use headache and migraine medications for instant relief ? Well, the answer is not so straightforward but we have simplified it in the part below. So, read on to learn more.

Read Also: What’s In Excedrin Migraine

Can Pregnant Women Take Excedrin Is It Safe

The that arises is whether Excedrin is a safe drug to take when you are pregnant. If you are unsure about the possible risks regarding Excedrin, its best to consult your doctor first. If your doctor thinks that your headache is due to a migraine and needs medication, then do what he suggests.

Excedrin is a medication that is composed of components like aspirin, acetaminophen, and also caffeine. In every Excedrin product, at least one of these components will be present, if not all three.

What Lifestyle Changes Can I Make While Im Pregnant To Improve Migraine

Excedrin Migraine

Lifestyle measures and behavioral treatment options are important for everyone with migraine, but even more so if youre pregnant, because we want to avoid medications as much as possible, says Starling.

One thing I always discuss with people are the SEEDS for success in migraine management, which is a mnemonic that reminds people of things they can do to improve migraine, she says.

  • S stands for good sleep hygiene. That means going to sleep around the same time and waking up around the same time every day, says Starling.
  • E is exercising, and she recommends about 20 minutes of aerobic exercise at least three days a week.
  • E stands for eating regular meals, so not fasting or skipping meals, says Starling. This is really important: Try to eat multiple small meals throughout the day.
  • D is short for dehydration, or preventing dehydration, by drinking lots of water throughout the day, says Starling.
  • S stands for stress response or stress management. Not stress reduction necessarily, but more managing the way that you respond to stress, she says.

There are also some behavioral treatment options that have proven to be beneficial in evidence-based, randomized, controlled trials. These include biofeedback training, cognitive behavioral therapy training, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques, says Starling.

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These Surprising Safer Alternatives May Be A Better Choice

Mothers-to-be get headaches and upset stomachs just like everyone else. So it’s not surprising that most pregnant women have used over-the-counter medications. In fact, some data suggest that, overall, women are actually more likely to use certain medicationsincluding cough and cold drugs and acetaminophen after they become pregnant.

“There’s a misperception that if a drug is available over-the-counter, that it’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration, so it must be safe for everyone, including pregnant women,” Allen Mitchell, M.D. professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health and Medicine, said. “Even doctors may think this is the case.” But some OTC drugs have been shown to pose risks to the developing fetus at different stages of pregnancy.

To help you and your doctor make more informed choices about which medications to take, we’ve identified 10 common ingredients used in OTC drugs that are risky for pregnant women, as well as safer alternatives.

Even then, you should use alternatives judiciously, and only as advised by your health care provider. Experts refer to safer medications because for 98 percent of prescription and OTC drugs, there simply isn’t enough data to say for sure that a drug is entirely safe to take during pregnancy. Due to ethical concerns, most FDA-approved medicines have not been tested in pregnant women.

Tell us below.

What Is Excedrin Migraine

Excedrin Migraine contains a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. Aspirin is in a group of drugs called salicylates . It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. It relaxes muscle contractions in blood vessels to improve blood flow.

Excedrin Migraine is used to treat pain caused by tension and migraine headaches.

Do not use aspirin for heart or blood vessel conditions unless your doctor tells you to.

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Headaches In Early Pregnancy

Nearly all women have occasional headaches, but having a headache in pregnancy is not fun. And, managing headaches is especially tricky in the first trimester when you should avoid many medicines. Whether your headache is from tension or is a full-blown migraine, there are some things you should know.

When Do Pregnancy Headaches Go Away

excedrin migraine while breastfeeding

They usually improve as your pregnancy goes on. They do not harm your baby, but they can be uncomfortable for you. A headache can sometimes be a symptom of pre-eclampsia, which can lead to serious complications if its not monitored and treated. Pre-eclampsia usually starts after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Also Check: What Is The Medicine For Migraine

Can You Take Excedrin With Alcohol

Excedrin products contain acetaminophen. Severe liver damage may occur if you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using these products. Most Excedrin products also contain aspirin, an NSAID, which may cause severe stomach bleeding. The chance is higher if you have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using these products. It is recommended to avoid alcohol use if taking Excedrin PM.

Rite Aid Migraine Relief Coated Caplets 50 Ct

Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking St. Johns Wort for depression because you may need to reduce the dose of acetaminophen .

An overdose of acetaminophen can cause liver damage or death. If someone takes more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen, get medical help right away, even if the person has no symptoms.

Early symptoms of an acetaminophen overdose include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating, and confusion or weakness. Later symptoms may include upper abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are similar to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen . Aspirin works by reducing substances in your body that cause pain, fever and inflammation.

Read Also: Headache Won’t Go Away With Ibuprofen

Treatment Options During Pregnancy

Certain medications used for migraine treatment and prevention are contraindicated for pregnancy, due to safety concerns for the developing fetus. For patients who use oral contraceptives to regulate their hormone levels and manage migraine, having a conversation about migraine treatment options may happen when they want to go off of birth control and start trying to conceive. The good news is there are safe options for migraine prior to and during pregnancy.

Im always telling my patients, either preconception or patients that are pregnant, that we recommend in general to use the number of different medications for anything that were treating, Dr. Grossman says. And also, of course, the lowest dose possible that we can use in pregnancy and preconception is what we recommend. Her first-line treatment is non-medication options, and she then layers in other treatments as needed.

Ive Heard That Working In Some Office Building Can Give You Headaches Is This True

Pregnancy and Migraine with Dr. Jaclyn Duvall

While its not the office building itself that may be giving you the headache, the air within the building could be. The cause of your headache could be due to a lack of free flowing fresh air. Chemicals and pollutants such as asbestos, toxins from the heating or air conditioning systems, chemical cleaners, pesticides, and second hand cigarette smoke may become sealed in the building and are all possible headache triggers. If you believe your buildings environment is the cause of your headaches, try using an electric air cleaner, an air ionizer, or simply opening the windows.

Read Also: How To Get Pregnant Quickly After Miscarriage

Recommended Reading: Why Do I Have Migraines Everyday

Tips To Consider Before Taking An Otc Drug

  • Try nondrug measures. For complaints commonly handled by OTC products, nondrug measures can help alleviate symptoms without the risk. For example, stress busters such as massage, meditation, relaxation exercises, or even a walk around the block, can help with tension headaches. And rest, fluids, and chicken soup are a much safer way for pregnant women to deal with symptoms of a cold than antihistamines and decongestants.
  • Consult your healthcare provider. Don’t take anything without first discussing it with your practitioner. “There are trade-offs with OTC products,” Mitchell said. “You have to balance your need to take something with any possible risks.”
  • Avoid combination products. Multi-symptom cold and allergy medications typically contain ingredients from the “off-limits” list. For example, while Tylenol pain reliever is relatively safe for occasional use during pregnancy, Tylenol Sinus Congestion and Pain and Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom liquid contain the decongestant phenylephrine, which is not.
  • Read labels.Ingredients such as alcohol and caffeine turn up in surprising places. For example, Vick’s Nyquil Cold & Flu Liquid contains alcohol. And CVS Aspirin-Free Tension Headache, is indeed, free of aspirin, but still contains caffeine.

Who Can Help Me Manage Migraine During Pregnancy

In addition to treating people with migraine, Starling lives with the disease of migraine. I’ve gone through multiple pregnancies and have two children, and I was able to figure it out and manage migraine in collaboration with my healthcare professional. I know it can be scary for patients, but it’s totally doable, she says.

Try to channel those feelings into being proactive in how you will manage your migraine during pregnancy, says Starling. I always encourage patients to find a healthcare professional, whether it be your primary care doctor, your neurologist, or your headache specialist, who will collaborate with your ob-gyn to figure out how best to manage your migraine during pregnancy, she says.

Pregnancy is hard enough for many different reasons, and I think that if we can manage migraine better, it makes it so much easier, she adds.

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Can You Take Excedrin While Pregnant Just Iike 1 Every Now And Thennot Even 2 Tablets

Hi! I am Dr Saleem. Welcome to JA. I will be answering your query shortly.

Yes you may take that on required/sos basis. No worries with that.

Yeah just use sparingly. Not as a routine.

You may still take it but my suggestion is that try with just Tylenol in the beginning. If that doesnt help then you may take excedrin.

Youre most welcome.

Please remember to reward credit for the consult if you are satisfied. You may do it by clicking 5 stars in the rating corner of your page. Best regards, ***** *****

If you havent had any problems with blood clots before then you dont need to take anything to prevent clots.

Youre most welcome.

Please remember to reward credit for the consult if you are satisfied. You may do it by clicking 5 stars in the rating corner of your page. Best regards, ***** *****

Your risk is almost same as anyone else who travels that journey. Treatment is usually not warranted in most cases if theres no predisposition to formation of blood clots and no history as well. You should be fine. Just move your feet every 30 minutes while youre travelling. That should be enough.

My pleasure. Stay well.

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Which Excedrin Is Safe During Pregnancy

Excedrin Tension Headache Pregnancy
  • Excedrin Extra Strength, for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains. This could be helpful if you have a headache, toothache, muscle aches, or a cold.
  • Excedrin Migraine, for, yep, migraines.

These two both contain acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine.

Particularly because they include aspirin, you should talk to your doctor before using them, and try to avoid taking them after 20 weeks.

Then there is:

  • Excedrin Tension Headache, for head, back, and shoulder pain from tension and stress. This is just acetaminophen and caffeine. Because it doesnt include aspirin, its less risky, but should still be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

And finally:

  • Excedrin PM Headache, which helps to relieve aches and pains and give you a good nights sleep. It too contains acetaminophen and aspirin but also includes something called diphenhydramine citrate, which is an antihistamine. Diphenhydramine citrate can be okay to take during pregnancy in small doses, if, as the FDA says, the benefits outweigh the risks. And the same warning applies to the other ingredients.

So, bottom line? The safest of the Excedrin products is probably Excedrin Tension Headache, as it doesnt contain aspirin.

But still, this path is better traveled with your doctor.

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