Some earlier studies have linked the use of ibuprofen and other similar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in early pregnancy with an increased risk of birth abnormalities --- but now a new study by Canadian and French researchers suggests that the use of NSAIDs in early pregnancy is apparently associated with a two-fold higher risk of miscarriage too!

Going by the findings of a new Quebec study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, women who take anti-inflammatory medicines during early pregnancy are prone of a notably higher risk of miscarriage, vis-a
-vis their counterparts who do not take these painkillers.

According to the researchers, an analysis of 4,700 women who had had a miscarriage revealed that one in 13 women had taken NSAIDs - the most common ones being ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac and celecoxib -, as against one in 38 who had had normal pregnancies.

The researchers, who based their study on data from the Quebec Pregnancy Registry and the Quebec insurance plan RAMQ, found that pregnant women who had been prescribed with NSAIDs faced a 2.4 times greater risk of miscarriage as compared to those who were not prescribed these drugs.

With the study essentially underscoring the fact that painkillers "should be used with caution during pregnancy," Janet Fyle - professional policy adviser at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) - said: "We need to advise women to avoid buying over-the-counter pain relief. If a pregnant woman does need to take any analgesia, then paracetamol would be appropriate"!